Problems with computers vs. problems with supportI've had excellent service from Apple. I had a PowerBook G3 that I'd bought in 1999 that wouldn't let me install Mac OS X when it was released (despite being officially-supported hardware), and Apple replaced the motherboard free of charge -- I didn't even pay for shipping.

This year I had the SuperDrive in my PowerBook G4 refuse to burn DVDs a week before the warranty expired, and it was fixed -- after some patient, helpful and knowledgeable service techs were unable to resolve the issue -- at no cost. And without any stonewalling to get the warranty to run out so they wouldn't have to deal with me. They even sent me a 10-pack of blank DVD-Rs to replace the discs I'd wasted trying to get it to work (they were Apple-branded discs) -- without me asking for them!

Sure, others' mileage may vary, but my experiences with Apple have been positive. Then again, I've never owned a Dell. Never will, either. I'll stick with companies that use high-quality parts, like Apple, Sony or IBM.

--Christopher Mackay