I bought a MacBook Air 11” with 256GB storage, 8GB RAM and UK keyboard for my wife, who is a journalist. Included in the price were Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband and OSX. She started trying to set it up last week. There have been problems with setting it up for secure use, even with the help of her employer’s computer tech. Like many publishers her employer uses Macs, mainly of older vintage. There is no MUG within several hours drive and online help is limited. She has given up and the MacBook Air is being returned to Apple next week. What would readers suggest as an alternative for this computer?
We have no use for iTunes, the Cloud or any other online app other than secure email, some general browsing and searches using anything but Google, such as DuckDuckGo.
Readers who wonder why security is important need only check on the experiences of The Guardian newspaper, its journalists such as Glenn Greenwald and anyone associated with them such as David Miranda. We also noted Obama’s recent statement that he is not allowed to change to an iPhone from his Blackberry for security. Yes, there are security issues with Apple, especially with Snowden disclosing that it is an agency of the NSA and then Apple late last year buying snoop company Topsy.
Here’s the killer reason why it is going back: Apple’s belligerent and anti-security software update system. This MacBook Air was built to order at the end of last month and yet it was delivered with outdated software. According to Fedex tracking it was picked up in Shanghai, China and sent via Memphis. It had not sat on a shelf in a box for several months. Software Update advises updates are available for most of the apps that were included with it. The current versions should have been on it but we thought it would be easy to upgrade. Today my wife hit “Install All” and could not get any further. We had expected the software to be updated just as it has been in the past on our 2008 iMac and old iBook G4. Apple has changed its whole update system. Although these updates are FREE, to correct deficiencies in its software, Apple demanded some sort of ID for App Store and a CREDIT CARD NUMBER. Naturally as a journalist who covers SCAMS my wife refused to give a credit card number when no payment was involved, either now or in future, pointing out that we have no use for App Store, which we have never used with our existing Macs. After several hours of arguing with obstructive and unhelpful support and representatives she gave up and demanded a refund. Apple agreed and we have received the refund email and label.
We are staggered at the stupidity exhibited by Apple, from Tim Cook downwards. Is there no concept of customer service at Apple? Do they have no concern about credit card and other security scams or are they getting too big a bung from their spy bosses or perhaps from the gangs who run credit card scams? No ethical company would demand credit card info when no payment is involved! All Apple had to do was update those apps that came with the computer and which have nothing to do with the unwanted App Store. That would have been the end of the matter and you would not now be reading this. Instead they have poisoned the whole relationship and alienated customers who have bought six previous Macs. Naturally we are now warning others of the problems of dealing with Apple in any capacity. How can Tim Cook preside over such blithering incompetence? Is he a managerial moron?
The MacBook Air 11” looks fine but unless Apple will sensibly and responsibly update its defective software then it is of no use to my wife. Our experience indicates that Apple is a case of “style over substance,” along with a definite shortage of integrity and customer service! It is very sad that our relationship with Apple and its products should end in this way.
Back to the question. What do you suggest as the nearest alternative from another supplier to the MacBook Air 11” specified above? We will appreciate your help.
We have no use for iTunes, the Cloud or any other online app other than secure email, some general browsing and searches using anything but Google, such as DuckDuckGo.
Readers who wonder why security is important need only check on the experiences of The Guardian newspaper, its journalists such as Glenn Greenwald and anyone associated with them such as David Miranda. We also noted Obama’s recent statement that he is not allowed to change to an iPhone from his Blackberry for security. Yes, there are security issues with Apple, especially with Snowden disclosing that it is an agency of the NSA and then Apple late last year buying snoop company Topsy.
Here’s the killer reason why it is going back: Apple’s belligerent and anti-security software update system. This MacBook Air was built to order at the end of last month and yet it was delivered with outdated software. According to Fedex tracking it was picked up in Shanghai, China and sent via Memphis. It had not sat on a shelf in a box for several months. Software Update advises updates are available for most of the apps that were included with it. The current versions should have been on it but we thought it would be easy to upgrade. Today my wife hit “Install All” and could not get any further. We had expected the software to be updated just as it has been in the past on our 2008 iMac and old iBook G4. Apple has changed its whole update system. Although these updates are FREE, to correct deficiencies in its software, Apple demanded some sort of ID for App Store and a CREDIT CARD NUMBER. Naturally as a journalist who covers SCAMS my wife refused to give a credit card number when no payment was involved, either now or in future, pointing out that we have no use for App Store, which we have never used with our existing Macs. After several hours of arguing with obstructive and unhelpful support and representatives she gave up and demanded a refund. Apple agreed and we have received the refund email and label.
We are staggered at the stupidity exhibited by Apple, from Tim Cook downwards. Is there no concept of customer service at Apple? Do they have no concern about credit card and other security scams or are they getting too big a bung from their spy bosses or perhaps from the gangs who run credit card scams? No ethical company would demand credit card info when no payment is involved! All Apple had to do was update those apps that came with the computer and which have nothing to do with the unwanted App Store. That would have been the end of the matter and you would not now be reading this. Instead they have poisoned the whole relationship and alienated customers who have bought six previous Macs. Naturally we are now warning others of the problems of dealing with Apple in any capacity. How can Tim Cook preside over such blithering incompetence? Is he a managerial moron?
The MacBook Air 11” looks fine but unless Apple will sensibly and responsibly update its defective software then it is of no use to my wife. Our experience indicates that Apple is a case of “style over substance,” along with a definite shortage of integrity and customer service! It is very sad that our relationship with Apple and its products should end in this way.
Back to the question. What do you suggest as the nearest alternative from another supplier to the MacBook Air 11” specified above? We will appreciate your help.
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