The Mac, the PC, the Mac — A lesson in the futility of reason in a “post PC” type of world. (Spoiler: Why you need to buy a Mac)

A few months ago, I posted about the situations my wife and I had with Apple products–most notably their portable “Macbook” and “Macbook Pro” models–and our series of misfortunes.

I also posted that I was going back to a Windows machine, bought one, and that’s where it went from there. Undoubtedly, I have had exceptional service with HP and HP Support–they’ve always been, for me anyway, approachable and easy to deal with. I know they get a bad rap through some of the magazine ratings, however, I have owned HP notebooks since 2001. The majority of issues I have had with them were of a software, Windows-related nature–rarely of a hardware nature. That said, I had the DV7’s DVD drive go out on me and need to be replaced not long after I bought it. The repair process with HP was very simple, they sent me the DVD drive, and it was drop-in quick. I cannot say enough about how simple and easy the repair process was through HP.  That said, I am going back to a Mac not because of HP but rather the Windows issues.  I’ll explain…

Strike #1 – Backups

I have a plethora of data on my hard drive that includes everything from movies, MP3s, pictures, home videos, etc. I average somewhere between 150-200GB of data in just content alone. That’s a lot of data!  As a result, I am fanatic–dear I say religious–about backing up my data. I am a user and supporter of Dropbox (referral link here) for my super-important stuff (school related, mostly), use an external HDD to back up the drive en mass, and a DVD writeable every so often just to keep things off-site.  I AM A BACKUP ZEALOT.

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 has a utility called Windows Backup and Restore which I presume does two things very simply–can you guess what they are?  Backup and (wait for it) Restore [your] data. One hopes that this would be such an easy venture into backing up data as Microsoft would portray on its website: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/backup-and-restore

So what’s the problem?

In short, this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979281

Title: Error code 0x8100002F and or error code 0x80070002 when you back up files in Windows 7

Description: When you click the Options button that is next to the notification, you receive the following message:

Check your backup results

The backup completed but some files were skipped.

View skipped files

My issue was I kept data within my user profile “C:\Users\[Name]\” rather than in the specified library of “Documents,” and as a result it was not being backed up.  I ran and checked to see if a restore file could be created and it couldn’t.  The data was not being backed up if it was outside of the Documents folder.

I added the said folder to the Documents “library” as Windows by default was set to back up anything associated with the libraries (i.e. Documents, Music, Pictures, and Video) yet it kept populating this same error.

Backup encountered a problem while backing up file C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\<folder Name>. Error:(The system cannot find the file specified. (0x80070002))

According to Microsoft, this is the reason….

Scenario 1 cause

This issue occurs if you back up a library that contains custom folders that are located under your user profile.

In the last few months I have been using the computer, I was simply assuming everything on the computer was backed up when I selected “Let Windows handle backup settings” rather than manually configuring it on my own–a mistake I shall not make again, trusting Windows with anything.

In order to make this error go away, or more importantly make Windows Backup and Restore actually back up the entire computer, you need to select “Let me choose which files to backup” and tell it what to back up starting from the C:\ root directory level.

WHAT A F’ING JOKE!

I am looking at this and thinking, “WTH! Shouldn’t the default be to back up the  whole computer, Libraries and non-Libraries, and especially anything in the profile folder.  What a joke…. Apparently, I’m not the only person the humor of this debacle is lost on. Simply do a Google search for “Windows Backup skipping files” and the hits will come pouring in.

In the end, what does this all mean?  Well, according to Microsoft’s own Knowledge Base (KB) document, there is a workaround for each of the three scenarios listed. Since Scenario 1 applied to me,

To resolve this issue, use one of the resolution methods that are listed for your scenario.

Scenario 1 resolution

To resolve this issue, take one of the following actions:

• Ignore the error message.
  Note The custom library files that are stored in your user profile will not be backed up.
• Move the library folder from the user profile path to a location outside the user profile path. For example, move the folder to the C:\MyLibraries folder.
• Exclude the library from the list of files that Windows Backup backs up. Then, include the original location of the content in the library in the backup list.
• Move the library folder to a location other than the user profile folder. Then, add a link to the moved folder from the library. Make sure that the library is included in the backup. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click your user name.
2. Right-click the folder that you want to move, and then click Cut.
3. On the navigation pane, expand Computer, locate the place where you want to store the folder, and then paste the folder in that location.
4. Right-click the folder that you moved to the new location, and then click Copy.
5. Click Start, click your user name, right-click any empty area in the folder, and then click Paste shortcut. Note To store the folder in a location other than a folder in your user profile, you may have to create a new folder. To do this, browse to the root of the drive in Windows Explorer, click New Folder on the Windows Explorer menu, and then edit the folder name. For example, rename the folder “MyLibraries.”

Wait wait wait…. what did that first part say again?!

“To resolve this issue, take one of the following actions:

• Ignore the error message.
  Note The custom library files that are stored in your user profile will not be backed up.”

WTF!  Ignore the error message?!  That’s my data Redmond-loving idiots! Your software cannot back up data in my computer unless it’s listed in your precious Libraries by default?! What a stupid, stupid design!

Time Machine, however, backs up everything on your Mac, and even lets you restore an entire machine. The difference between Time Machine’s backup schemes is night/day.

Time Machine doesn’t take an entire night to backup approximately 250GB of data to an external USB 2.0 HDD. (approx. 2hrs, actually). Windows Backup and Restore (WBR) takes approximately 6 hours since it insists on backing up an entire system image along with each data backup.

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Anecdotal Complaint: Windows Media Player 12

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This is a short one.  Try to rip a CD in Windows Media Player 12 to MP3 format. It’s greuling…. The only thing more grueling is letting it try to update/complete album art.

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Conclusion: Why you need a Mac

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Someone once told me: “Your best compliments can often come from the greatest of insults.”

It’s no secret I have had my angst and frustration with Apple, including one of their ex-employees posting defamatory content about me. To Apple’s credit, they spotted and removed the content after a snapshot was e-mailed to them (I still have a copy, though).  The Yelp review I posted is available here.

I have had more than a few issues with getting repairs–mostly through the retail store–and getting repairs completed correctly and completely. 

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In the end, it all comes down to two things: product quality/reliability and customer service. At times, it is not how good or great a company is but how poorly others are. On this note, I can say that Apple has not cost me data or anything except time–Microsoft’s Windows 7 Operating System has cost me that plus the possibility of losing data. Their software does not do exactly what it is supposed to do.

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Despite all the extra features offered by Microsoft for Windows 7 customers, including Windows Live Essentials 2011, it all boils down to a sincere effort by the Redmond, Washington based company to detract from people leaving Windows for Mac OS X.

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The single-biggest reason to buy a Mac isn’t because it is not Windows but rather it is the antithesis of Windows. Everything from the simple “OK” or “Save” button to a system-wide backup, it just works. There is no what-if’s between the click and the action, it does exactly what you want and tell it to do. If you are a long-time Windows aficionado who thinks I’m crazy and Windows is the sublime future, I’m sorry to disagree with you. However, I cannot tell you how glad I am for Windows, that it’s here, and that it’s available for people to buy on their new PCs or install on their Macs.

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The only thing uglier than competition between Windows-based PCs and Macs is an all-or-nothing market where there is no competition.

AppleCare Mandatory for iPad 2 Purchase at RadioShack – Softpedia

 

AppleCare Mandatory for iPad 2 Purchase at RadioShack – Softpedia

 

Uh, yeah….thanks, but no thanks.  

Liking the HP so far…

So did I tell you that I picked up an HP DV7 the other day?  Well I did… it is meant to replace my MacBook Pro which Apple has so graciously decided that the “cosmetic” issues notwithstanding was eligible for return. Thank you Apple for agreeing to take the computer back—thank you for all the time I spent in your stores, listening to your “Genius” technicians tell me things were “cosmetic,” “not covered under the warranty,” or my personal favorite, “I’ve only seen this when someone has tried to open the computer.”

The latter of those statements is probably my favorite—why would anyone spent $$$ on an extended warranty only to open the computer?!  I still don’t get that one..

Anyway, the MacBook Pro (MBP) is on its way back to Apple as we speak….and I’m typing this on my spiffy new HP DV7. I went with the DV7 for a few reasons, most of which is because it was on sale at Sam’s Club for a killer price—> $999!

I’ll be sure to post the link if anyone is interested. In the meantime, here’s the specs as unrepentantly plagiarized from HP’s support page…

Product Name
dv7-4287cl

Product Number
XZ031UA#ABA

Microprocessor
Intel Core i5-480M Processor 2.66GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.93 GHz

Memory
8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 DIMM)

Memory Max
8GB

Video Graphics
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6550 graphics

Video Memory
1024MB GDDR3

Hard Drive
750GB (5400RPM)

Multimedia Drive
LightScribe Blu-ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double Layer Support

Display
17.3” diagonal High Definition+ HP BrightView LED Display (1600 x 900)

Network Card
Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

Wireless Connectivity

• 802.11b/g/n WLAN

Sound

• Beats Audio and HP Triple Bass Reflex Subwoofer

Keyboard
101-key compatible with island-style full-size keyboard with integrated numeric keypad

Pointing Device
HP Clickpad with On/Off button

External Ports

• 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
• 4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA
• 1 HDMI
• 1 VGA (15-pin)
• 1 RJ -45 (LAN)
• 1 Headphone-out
• 1 Microphone-in

Dimensions
16.35" (L) x 10.8" x 1.25" (min H)/1.46" (max H)

Weight
6.86 lbs

Security

• Kensington MicroSaver lock slot
• Power-on password
• Accepts 3rd party security lock devices

Power

• 90W AC Adapter
• 9-Cell 93WHr Lithium-Ion Battery

What’s In The Box
HP TrueVision Webcam with integrated digital microphone
HP SimplePass Identity Protection with integrated fingerprint reader

Of all the things I really like, it has to be the 17” screen and the fingerprint reader. Those are two of the niceties that make it a comfortable thing to use. The 15” 1440×900 screen on my MBP was nice and bright but the HP has a solid 1600×900—just a hair over the MBP but on a 17” display—so having that extra bit of real estate makes a lot of difference for me. A 1080 display would of course be perfect but the icons would be teeeny tiny.

The sound is remarkably good, it’s a lot louder than the MBP was. Some of the things Apple does is they put the recovery discs in the box for you, HP makes you burn your own. However, considering I could buy two of these for the price of a 15” MBP it just replaced, I’m not going to complain.

Now I know what you’re thinking—the parts (CPU, GPU, body, etc.) are not the same as your MBP so it’s like comparing Apples (pun not intended) to Oranges. However, here’s what the point is—Apple doesn’t make a 15” computer that costs less than $1,800 unless you have an educator discount or buy refurb. I can buy a 15” anything on the PC side for upwards of say….$500. Granted parts will not be the same but let’s be real—on the surface a 15” Mac costs more than a 15” PC. There is no way to get around that fact and I’m not about to debate it now. However, one thing I noticed almost immediately on the HP is that it is built to be taken apart by the customer. Conversely, the Apple laptop is built almost like a fine Swiss watch—you need special screwdrivers to open it, have to be gentle before putting it back together, etc.etc. I’ve come to the conclusion that the PC notebook is built like a Tonka truck—it’s built to be taken around, used, opened up, etc. It’s not meant to sit and look pretty on one’s desk, shelf, or otherwise—it’s meant to be used, not admired.  I get that it’s two completely different design ethos but take it for what it is—one is designed with the consumer as user, and the other with consumer as end-user.

There are those who change their own oil, and those who take it somewhere and have the unshaven mechanic do it. I prefer to do things myself if possible but only if I do not have the option to have someone else do it (esp. for free). In the case of Apple, I exhausted to the bitter end every single valuable resource I had in getting them to resolve issues with both mine and my wife’s Macs. The only person who actually gave a shit was a nice young woman who worked at their corporate office—the only one who actually took the time to try and fix our issues, rather than just throw us under the bus or placate us with a replacement machine. She will always have my eternal thanks for all her help.

As for the Mac, my wife still uses hers and it’s going on a year now with the replacement white MacBook (unibody) they sent. Hopefully we never have to send it in but if past experience is any indicator…..

So long Apple.

It was fun while it lasted but I haven’t the time to deal with the repairs any more. I love my iDevices (iPhone 4 and iPad 3G, notably) but I’m afraid I cannot say the same for your laptops, Genius Bar, or repair services.

Here’s one reason why, in a nutshell…

Courtesy of Danny @ TheGradualReport

I’ll post my wonderful Flickr feed in a few days but I thought this was worth sharing.  Enjoy

— John B.

Bad product placement….

As posted on C|Net, apparently someone has a bit of bad taste for how they placed an ad next to their article on Steve Jobs’ return to Apple.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10351348-71.html

Bad form, period.  Didn’t someone stop to think, “Hey, maybe we shouldn’t even associate Jobs’ condition w/ anything even remotely morbid, considering his condition?”

Got my new Nano :)

…..I’ll write more on it later, but it really is a nice little device and the video is amazing. I will have a small review on it sometime this week.

JG

MobileMe….worth it? Article by Andy Inhatko.

I came across this article on Macworld the other day, and thought I should comment….

Why MobileMe is really worth it | Web Services | MacUser | Macworld
by Andy Inhatko

I thought this was a good article…..he mentions some of the gripes people (like me) have had w/ MobileMe, as well as some of the unsung benefits of the service.

AppleTV, cracking Macbook… grrr!

Well, as it turns out….our illustrious AppleTV is on the blink again.  This is the third time I’ve done a factory restore on the thing and it’s still acting up.  I’m going to take it in to the Apple Store tomorrow and get it taken care of….once and for all.  First, the AppleTV cannot decide what resolution it wants to use…. 720p….1080i….1080p….720p….1080p….back to 720p…. GRRR!!!

At best, I figured the AppleTV was just finicky, but this has gone way beyond finicky…..now we are seeing that if we change source on our TV set (HDMI1, HDMI2, HDMI3, Component1, etc.etc.), the AppleTV (on HDMI1) will whig-out and not come back, necessitating a complete hard reset.  Can’t do much about it except just reset and restore….well, not no more (hey, I rhymed something!).  I guess it doesn’t help that Mrs. Guapo’s white Macbook is cracking again….we just had it in the store 5 months ago for a complete plastic “surgery”, they replaced ALL the plastics…..bottom, top, lid, etc.  A month ago, her screen had to be replaced b/c it was unusually dim….she would have to have it on full brightness to be readable.  To their credit, they have fixed everything we have taken in almost hassle-free.  We’re optimistic this will be an easy fix, but I’m always skeptical.

Last night, we’re on the couch and she brings me her notebook….sure enough, cracks along the front.  The bad part is she starts work this week (teacher) and needs her computer this week more than ever.  We’ll see how well they fix it this time, and how quickly.

Blog entry for Sunday, 9/6

So who else upgraded to Snow Leopard 10.6? Anyone? I did….installed it on three of our Macs and thus far it has been phenomenal as far as speed, but there have been some other (ahem) hiccups.

1) Flip4Mac WMV viewer doesn’t like Snow Leopard AT ALL. However, the folks at Telestream have been gracious enough to provide us Snow Leopard folks with a beta of their Snow Leopard compatible version of Flip4Mac. I don’t open/view WMV files a lot but when I do, it’s nice to be able to do it in Quicklook and/or Quicktime. I do recommend VLC Player as a backup, though. ::rattling fingers on desk::

2) Quicklook + .MPG files are not the best of friends, either. For instance, Quicklook (QL for short) will open just about anything you throw at it, however, do not open too many MPG files in succession, or while one is still playing and quickly flip to another video. It just doesn’t like it, period. What happens is the Finder will eventually just hang, necessitating a Relaunch which isn’t the biggest inconvenience in the world, but still a bug. I never had this problem under Leopard, and have been able to replicate it on another one of my Macs as well. ::bangs head on desk::

3) Microsoft Office 2008 needed a re-install b/c it just kept crashing, esp. in Notebook view. I haven’t had the time/patience to re-install it yet but I’m getting there. Since iWork ’09 is my daily driver, I’m not in any hurry. At least I know I’m not the only one w/ this issue. ::head is bleeding on desk::

Lastly, I think I should mention one thing that needs to be addressed….. This Update vs. Clean Install debate needs to be put to rest b/c most of us (80% or greater) that use our Macs on a pretty demanding schedule do not have the time to re-install an OS. Apple knows this and has made it very easy to do the upgrade to Snow Leopard.

All in all, it’s definitely worth the $29 upgrade but maybe not right now……wait until the first update is available if you can.