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The joy of working on Macbooks.

Discussion in 'Mac OS X' started by Seth Anthony, Aug 31, 2018.

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  1. Seth Anthony

    Seth Anthony Registered Members

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    Operating System:
    Linux Based
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    Altaire 8800
    CPU:
    Modified Texas Instruments calculator
    Memory:
    2 transistor tubes
    Hard Drive:
    pen and paper
    Graphics Card:
    TV ready
    Power Supply:
    Mouse on a wheel
    Some more experiences with Mac repairs:

    Apples Time Machine backup is incredibly easy to use and deploy. I've now worked on a few Macs to which I installed a new SSD. During the very simple operating simple install (much simpler than Windows), the install asks if you want to import from a Time Machine backup. You simply plug in the TM drive, the system detects it, and you choose what to import. Not only are all your settings imported, but all of your programs as well. Again, this all so easy that even a basic end user can do it.

    I've also come up with a way to install a SSD into an imac without disconnecting those fragile connectors. The solution was so simple: Prop up the screen just enough that the shortest connector doesn't rip out, then use a "stubby" screwdriver to remove the hard drive mounting bracket. I don't bother with 2.5 to 3.5 adapters, as SSD's are very light and have no centrifugal force. I just plug in the sata cables to the ssd and adhere it to the inside back of the imac with a Velcro strip.

    I'm consistently being amazed at the quality and longevity of Apple computers. I routinely get in imacs and macbooks from the 2010 to 2013 era that just need an SSD. Can you imagine a laptop that's 7 years old and the battery lasts for 3 hours? You can buy a $500 Windows laptop and chances are the battery will die within 3 years, the hinges will break, keys will start to fall off, the AC Adapter port will break, etc, etc. OR, buy a Macbook for double the price and it will last for just about forever lol. Plus, unlike Windows computers, the average end user won't have to pay for numerous software issues.
     
    Seth Anthony, Sep 21, 2020
    #41
  3. plodr

    plodr CHF Advisor CHF Advisers

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    That has never been my experience owning 4 laptops since 2000. We currently own two different models of $250 or lower Acer computers. The one purchased in 2011 had the battery replaced in 2017. My husband uses it daily. We did have to replace the keyboard because of "user error" he broke a key off. I'm using the one purchased in 2013 and I still get more than 2 hours on the battery.
    So I can't complain about the cheap laptops we bought. Of course we are both in our 70's and are careful with our hardware.

    One of these days, I'll replace the spinning hard drive in the 2011 one with an ssd. I just have to convince my husband to give up his laptop for a bit. (He has 3 ZOOM meetings this month so it won't happen in September.)
     
    plodr, Sep 21, 2020
    #42
  4. Seth Anthony

    Seth Anthony Registered Members

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2017
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    Operating System:
    Linux Based
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    Altaire 8800
    CPU:
    Modified Texas Instruments calculator
    Memory:
    2 transistor tubes
    Hard Drive:
    pen and paper
    Graphics Card:
    TV ready
    Power Supply:
    Mouse on a wheel
    The battery example was just one of the myriad of problems on Window's based computers.

    I repair an average of the 3 Windows laptops each day, 6 days a week. After around 2 years, the batteries lose about 50% of their capacity. Around the 3 year mark, it's rare for me to get a Windows laptop to which the the battery holds a charge for more than an hour or so. Plus, changing the battery or any component on a Macbook is easy to do, while on most Window's laptops it's a PITA, and can often result in a broken mobo connector.

    Regardless, the point is, Apple's batteries, components, and build quality are far superior to most Windows computers.
     
    Seth Anthony, Sep 21, 2020
    #43
  5. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    Velcro works for me.

    Question about the TM Backup - have you tried to copy the backup to a flash drive and then copy the flash drive back to a computer. When copying back to a computer, don't use TM, just drag or copy/paste. This didn't work for me.
     
    Tony D, Sep 21, 2020
    #44
  6. Seth Anthony

    Seth Anthony Registered Members

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2017
    Messages:
    1,444
    Operating System:
    Linux Based
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    Altaire 8800
    CPU:
    Modified Texas Instruments calculator
    Memory:
    2 transistor tubes
    Hard Drive:
    pen and paper
    Graphics Card:
    TV ready
    Power Supply:
    Mouse on a wheel
    I'm not sure what you're asking Tony, but when when the TM backup is accessed, you can select or deselect anything you like to transfer.
     
    Seth Anthony, Sep 21, 2020
    #45
  7. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    Here's what I tried. I made a TM backup using a computer and hard drive that weren't mine. I needed to bring all the data back to my place so I then copied the TM backup on the external hard drive to my flash drive. We're talking about 16 GB.

    When I got home, I wanted to copy the TM backup to my iMac's hard drive. I didn't want to restore my iMac to the TM backup, just wanted to free up my flash drive. So I made a folder on the iMac and tried to copy the files from my flash drive onto the iMac. I forget exactly what happened, but it didn't work out.
     
    Tony D, Sep 21, 2020
    #46
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