I’ve been using Apple Computers since around 1983. The very first Mac came out when I was in 7th grade. I took an after-school job at a store on Pico in L.A. called Computerland, working just long enough to buy a Mac with my Computerland 30% discount and my $3.65/hour wage. I’ve probably bought at least 15 Macs since then, as well as numerous iPods, and hopefully soon, an iPhone.

The problem is, Apple gear, though beautifully designed, is crappily made. In my experience, it’s been completely unreliable. Not the old stuff—the Apple II Plus I had in 6th grade is probably still going somewhere—but the newer stuff: iPods, Powerbooks… they all stop working well before they ought to, sometimes in their first year. Both iPods I bought were kaput within 6-8 months. I had one newish Powerbook die on me right as we were about to give a presentation to an early-days YouTube. Not good.

The crazy thing? I only want more Apple products. If this happened with any other brand, I’d be furious and swear off the brand for life. For some inexplicable reason, with Apple, I keep coming back for more. Something is very wrong with me.

So, short story long here, my un-trusty Powerbook (the fourth one I’ve owned) has died on me. The backlight is apparently shot, according to Apple phone support. I was planning on posting a bunch of blog posts and pics from England, but I’m now left working on borrowed computers. Borrowed Apple computers of course—machines that will surely break down well before their time, too.

The good news is, my Powerbook is still under warranty, so I’ll have it back (or a new one) very soon, and will be able to resume posting more regularly. In the meantime, I’ll see what I can post without the use of my favorite piece of beautiful, crappy technology. Thanks for bearing with me….