As an owner of a huge number of Apple products, but not an exclusive Apple-user, I think some of their products are extremely practical.

The problem I've always had is that blemishes and usability issues have been common for their hardware, even going back to the easily-scratched metal backs of old iPods. It seems like every generation of iPhone has had some major defect.

None of these things are that big of a deal. If Apple is using cutting-edge manufacturing processes, I'd expect these things to happen.

The problem is that Apple has (in my experience) systematically denied that the problem exists, is widespread, and is their fault. It really takes something like staingate.org before they'll own up to something they should be willing to fix.

It's crazy: they do some things like MagSafe is fantastic, it's so simple but very effective. It solves a problem which has killed two of my previous laptops. Then you have the fantastic battery life and a suspend function which works consistently well (so long as you don't use Parallels).

But then they screw up on the simple things: a screen coating which is extremely easily damaged, and no stress relief on their power supplies which dooms them to cable failure within 1-2 years.

BTW I resolved the screen issues by installing a matt screen protector. It has the added advantage of making the screen readable in sunlight. The downside is you lose a little clarity (or gain it if the streaks are really bad).

Apple could fix these problems easily, and - especially in the case the stress relief - it would cost them a fraction of a cent per unit.

Fixing the power supply would cost them a lot more in opportunity cost. Those must be extremely profitable!

> None of these things are that big of a deal.

Perhaps for you.

> If Apple is using cutting-edge manufacturing processes, I'd expect these things to happen.

These are expensive devices, we're paying a premium for them. For the prices Apple charge I expect them to have worked out these kinks before hitting the market.