I’ve been an Apple customer for many years. My first Mac had no hard drive, but it was loaded with 512KB of RAM. The IIci with Portrait Display was a pleasure. More recently, I purchased a PowerMac G5 which came with a Mighty Mouse.
The scroll ball works well until it gets dirty. And this is inevitable because it’s a physical mechanism. So, what is one to do when it needs cleaning? Obviously, take it apart and clean it just like the old mechanical ball mice. One problem: Apple chose to glue the mouse shut; taking it apart is a destructive process.
I was annoyed and disappointed when I first discovered this in the predecessor to the Mighty Mouse which was also glued shut, but there was no need to open it, no mechanism to be cleaned. Now, I’m pissed. Apple claims to have an environmental policy. Greenpeace has a different perspective, and it ranked Apple lowest in their report on major electronics manufacturers.
My warranty had not yet expired when the scroll ball first began to malfunction. I tried some methods for cleaning, but found only temporary relief, and I decided to contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider to request replacement under warranty. They persuaded me to continue cleaning it. Now, after the warranty has just expired, the cleaning methods no longer work at all.
I contacted Apple Support, and described the situation. They wouldn’t budge; I may as well have been speaking to a robot. To be sure, they did offer to send me a «complimentary lint-free cloth» which I declined.
It seems reasonable to me that Apple should admit fault in the design of their Mighty Mouse; specifically, that is glued shut thereby preventing access to adequately clean the mechanical assembly. I mistakenly expected that Apple would have the good sense to at least replace such an inexpensive product, especially as it was purchased with one of their most expensive computers, not to mention all the other Apple products I’ve purchased over the years (and those purchased by others upon my recommendation, &c.).
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not a hater. I’m quite satisfied with my G5 and PowerBook. The thing that really tweaks my spine is that Apple sealed the unit. Of course, Apple does have a history of «black-boxing» their wares (welding shut an iron curtain between user and product), and in this case, moral imperative compels me to wail. If it were easy to open and clean it, I wouldn’t even consider warranty replacement and I wouldn’t be writing this.
My point is this: Apple needs feedback. Apple is not your friend; it just wants money. Don’t reward it for stupid behaviour, and let it know when it goes wrong. The same advice applies for any corporation, religion, or government.
