Why I will not buy a MacBook Again

Update April 7th

Logic board was replaced. Effectively this is a new computer (except the screen). Obviously, the flash contents was not copied to the new board.

Received the MacBook Pro and could restore it from Backup. It seems to be working ok and I am using it to update this post.

Now, there is another issue that I am discussing with Apple support team.
In my last visit at the shop I also handed them my HDMI and Ethernet Adaptors so they can verify that the system is functional in the same manner I work with.
These accessories were not returned to me yet and will be shipped today to my home.

 

 

Since I moved to Japan I have been using MacBooks and MacMini. Several generations of both and a very happy customer.

Last year November, I purchased the new MacBookPro immediately as it came out. Upgraded the processor and memory since I plan to use for work and photography hobby.

All was great till several weeks ago when I noticed that sometimes Battery does not charge. A reboot usually solved the problem so I thought it was a software problem.
But then it stopped charging. Reboot, SMC reset did not work.

First visit Apple Shibuya
Monday. Went, waited, waited. A very nice guy tested, experienced the problem and then explain to me that they don’t have parts, Apple does not keep Parts in their repair centers (!!!).
Which means I have to give my computer and wait till parts arrive and computer fixed.
I did not like it, so we agreed that I will take the MacBook and use it while connected to Power.

From the net I learned that the new MacBook Pro design has limitations: cannot change battery without replacing the cover, SSD is soldered to the logic board
It seems Apple has done some compromises in the design which makes it problematic to service.

The only problem is, it did not work.
Parts arrived.

Second visit Apple Shibuya
Simple, just gave the MacBook Pro

Third visit Apple Shibuya
On Friday (same week) received a call from Apple Shibuya which I could not take. Tried to call, but could not understand what was the problem.
(And here we have another problem, no English phone support in Japan. All calls are routed to Australia which means they don’t know exactly what was wrong with my laptop).

Went to the shop, talked with another nice guy that explained to me that the MacBook was fixed, but during diagnostic tests, they see trackpad issue.
“You would probably won’t notice, but it is a problem we need to fix and we don’t have the parts”.
We agreed again that I will take the laptop, use it with a faulty trackpad and return when the parts arrive.

BUT, next morning (Saturday) I notice the battery does not charge again.

Fourth visit Apple Shibuya
Saturday noon rushed to Apple to give the MacBook.
The same nice guy was there, saying the parts arrive and that it will be fixed immediately and shipped to my office on Monday.
Received a call on Sunday that indeed it was fixed and no error.

Macbook arrive to my office Monday morning, seemed to work, but I noticed once when I plugged power that it was “no charging” before changing to charging mode. Strange.
Next morning, same issue, battery is not charging.

Fifth visit Apple Shibuya
Tuesday morning, waiting for the shop to open so I can give the MacBook and rush to my meetings.
Will not accept anything but a new computer.

If I get a new computer, this will be my last Apple MacBook

Dorothy Parker quote on a Tote bag

A girl in the train was carrying a tote bag with the quote:

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.   – Dorothy Parker

At first I was thinking if Dorothy Parker would have approved this quote to be used commercially on Tote bag, but then I found out that the quote is attributed to Dorothy Parker, but not confirmed. See also in the Quote investigator .

I obviously doubt Wikipedia and the Internet, but I also doubt Tote Bags

Leather Craft 3 way business bag

Finally!

It took some courage and planning, but I took the challenge of making my own business bag.

Design was inspired by bags I saw online, but actual final design and implementation was done based on my needs, Laptop size, leather quality and size and some improvisation.

As always, there are some things I would have changed and done differently.

For example:

  1. Leather width – used 1.6mm when I think 2mm was stronger and better
  2. Left some pieces in their rough stage, with raw edges instead of varnishing.

 

But overall, I am delighted. Still missing the straps, some water protection and will start using it.

Stories

I enjoy hearing people telling their stories. In Cafe, restaurants, Bar.

Even during business travel, one can have a chance to meet people and hear the stories.

Everyone have a story. Some are standard, some boring, some interesting and some exciting. It is many times not about the story, but how people tell their own story. Humbly, boastful, facts or spicing it with fiction.

A few stories I heard recently.

  1. A girl who lived one year in Vancouver, had to go back home and have two jobs to help support her family. One standard marketing day job (a bit boring), another working in a bar.
    Story told in English, humbly, facts, not from pain or frustration, not apologizing , a strong woman
  2. The owner of the bar (in Korea), which can speak Japanese, proudly explained why she can speak Japanese (but cannot speak English), story told in a boastful over the top manner, proud face.
  3. Woman during lunch talking with a man, explaining how she ended up working in a translation section of a big foreign company. How she has always been a “freelance” employee, never a formal employee a company. She taught English and then scouted to work as translator. Was this a date ? Were they work colleagues? Could not figure it out. Her story was humble, facts with hidden pride. “I am different”; “I look Japanese, but not really”.  Green shirt, magnificent colorful nails (with green again).

 

 

 

 

Sebuhiroko live – Follow-up

Received an email from Blue note thanking me attending the concert.

Mail an website include wonderful photos which capture the vitality and energies.
(Maybe too much contrast in the photos, but still wonderful).

Now, can you find me in the crowd?

 

 

 

A bird

Sometimes need luck, or maybe also patience.

The bird in this photo changed it from a very ordinary scenery photo to something more interesting. It feels like it is sharing the view with me, watching and appreciating in a same way.

三渓園

Sebuhiroko live

Went to Blue Note Tokyo last night For Sebuhiroko’s live, Album release tour.

 

 

and from her Instagram account:
https://instagram.com/p/BQkU_sgjYrJ/

 

 

As she said during the concert, difficult to call two shows a tour, but it is still called so by the production company.

I love the Blue Note, the crowd and I love Sebuhiroko. Not really the standard Blue Note music, she rocked in some songs, Alternative in others, Jazzy in some.  Explosion of music, passion on stage. It was great. It was obvious she is having wonderful time on stage and wished she could do it more.

Some songs from the Album were arranged differently, “Night Walk” changed from a loud rock sounds, to one guitar in slower rhythm.

 

Another that caught my attention is Zazen boys’ 本能寺 (Honno-ji) cover, which was excellent, Jazzy, Rocky, Cute, Loud .

Could find this cover on youtube from a concert last year,  the original Zazen Boys is here.

 

 

 

 

 

Changes

A sweets shop was closed yesterday in Shinjuku.
Though I usually don’t eat sweets, the smell of this shop brightened my mornings.
Walking past it, seeing the preparations for the day, smelling the sweet sweet smell.

Afternoons were different. The same sweet smell, this time with people (mostly women) buying something sweet after a long day at work.

Nick Drake on Starbucks Japan playing list

Heard it several times, but was not sure.

“Shazam”ed it just in case, and it is true. Nick Drake’s Pink Moon is on Startbucks Japan playing list.
Love the selection but puzzled.

Nick Drake to me is the Melancholy king cool kids listen to. It is a name and Album the Indie group in high school shared, knowing the others do not know and never heard about.

Ambivalence of people recognizing good music as such, but feeling something is stolen from me.

Cray Financial reports

A different subject than usual, and obviously expressing my own opinions.

Cray published their Q4 and 2016 full year results , which gives some insight into the volatility of their business.

 

Quotes:

Actual results for any future periods are subject to large fluctuations given the nature of Cray’s business.

 

Revenue in the first quarter of 2017 is expected to be approximately $55 million.

 

While revenues for Q4 2016 were $346.6M, which are more than half the full year revenues of $629.8M, while Q1 is estimated at $55 million.

As an amateur investor, I would not invest in Cray stock. Volatility and uncertainty are scary.

What I fail to understand is analysts opinion that still rate the stock between Buy to Strong Buy (Closer to Buy). Am I missing something