Dipsolect.com

Dear Apple,

I’m a ardent, avid, and near-fanatical follower of your products and services. I’ve had a Mobile Me membership since it was called Dot Mac and was only just launched – many, many years before it actually became useful. I’ve used a long series of Macintosh computers, from the original Classic, via the Performa, a series of iBook computers, I owned a PowerMac dual G4, and most recently purchased a MacBook Pro. I’m on my fourth iPhone – not because they fail, but because I keep wanting the newest of the new. I’ve owned Apple printers (remember those…?), I have an Apple TV, Apple keyboards, mice, etc.

Generally, Apple products don’t fail – I’ve been very happy/lucky in that respect. Sure, you’ve replaced the top cover on my MacBook more often than I care to remember, and one of my iBooks died, but overall, I’m a happy bunny. But then…

Then, today, something really bad happened. I’m willing to accept a lot of breakages of computer equipment – it’s commodity hardware by now. There is one notable exception, and that’s everything to do with backups. And today, my Time Capsule bit the dust.

Allow me to quote from the Time Capsule microsite on the Apple site: “Files are backed up — automatically, wirelessly and in the background. So you never have to worry about backing up again”. “server-grade hard drive”.

That’s all perfect – as long as my Time Capsule doesn’t die. What happened? I have no idea, but whenever i plug it in, it sounds as if a small propeller plane is trying to take off in my living room. I’m guessing that means a failed hard-disk. Yes, the kind of hard-disk you’ve described as “server-grade”. Frankly, I’m pissed off. I’m trying to run a business, here, and data loss would cost me a lot of money and time. That’s why I bought a new laptop even though my old laptop was still perfectly fine. That’s why I bought a Time Capsule in the first place.

I don’t know what’s wrong with it, but there’s no excuse whatsoever for backup devices failing within 9 months of me purchasing them. Expect a very grouchy Yours Truly at the Genius bar on Tuesday.

Update, 30 June 2010

So, Apple gave me a new Time Capsule because the harddrive in the old one kicked the bucket.

The new one lasted exactly 7 months and 29 days before becoming completely unresponsive. I suspect a power supply issue this time.

Not fucking good enough.