Comments on: How to Become an Apple Certified Technician http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/ A Resource for Computer Repair Technicians & to get PC tech support help. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:36:57 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Aaron http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-14110 Aaron Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:13:01 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-14110 I agree that having a Mac cert may help a new tech stick out among the seasoned techs cause allot of the seasoned techs haven't needed to know allot about Macs, and I have seen a slight increase in there popularity I agree that having a Mac cert may help a new tech stick out among the seasoned techs cause allot of the seasoned techs haven’t needed to know allot about Macs, and I have seen a slight increase in there popularity

]]> By: sys-eng http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-13326 sys-eng Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:32:29 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-13326 JP, you know a person's argument is weak when they say "this can't be debated" or "it is beyond reproach". The fact is that Apple has such a high failure rate of motherboard failures on their iMac and Mac Pro lines that they had to create a new $400 flat rate for their replacement. Some Apple heads will passionately deny that Apple had had high motherboard failures, and that is true only if you understand Apple speak. Apple refers to the main system board as the "logic" board which is just another name for the motherboard. The term motherboard is used because daughter cards plug into it rather than an independent bus. JP, you know a person’s argument is weak when they say “this can’t be debated” or “it is beyond reproach”. The fact is that Apple has such a high failure rate of motherboard failures on their iMac and Mac Pro lines that they had to create a new $400 flat rate for their replacement.

Some Apple heads will passionately deny that Apple had had high motherboard failures, and that is true only if you understand Apple speak. Apple refers to the main system board as the “logic” board which is just another name for the motherboard.

The term motherboard is used because daughter cards plug into it rather than an independent bus.

]]> By: Heath http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-13257 Heath Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:49:35 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-13257 Anyone know where good place for free practice exam or study guides? I normally use cramsession, but they dont have MAC ones. Anyone know where good place for free practice exam or study guides? I normally use cramsession, but they dont have MAC ones.

]]> By: Metalhead http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-12840 Metalhead Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:43:12 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-12840 JP: the only "statistical fact" is that 90% of computer users are incompetent at using technology. This doesn't mean Apple's are better, it means they are better for people who have trouble clicking, much less configuring a wireless router. Do some research and you'll find that Apple parts failures are right up there with their PC counterparts. There isn't some magical thing that makes a Mac more reliable. That magic is called control. Apple controls every single thing about their product. This is viewed by some as an advantage, but to others a big, big disadvantage. In Job's own words, "the customer doesn't know what they want." By the way, I'm an AppleCare Certified Technician, and I do this for a living. JP: the only “statistical fact” is that 90% of computer users are incompetent at using technology. This doesn’t mean Apple’s are better, it means they are better for people who have trouble clicking, much less configuring a wireless router. Do some research and you’ll find that Apple parts failures are right up there with their PC counterparts. There isn’t some magical thing that makes a Mac more reliable. That magic is called control. Apple controls every single thing about their product. This is viewed by some as an advantage, but to others a big, big disadvantage. In Job’s own words, “the customer doesn’t know what they want.”

By the way, I’m an AppleCare Certified Technician, and I do this for a living.

]]> By: JP http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-11695 JP Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:51:24 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-11695 WalkerTXRanger I disagree. It is a statistical fact that Mac's are more reliable than their PC counterpart. This can't be debated. You can say that you are overpaying, but I disagree. Where's why: I am not an IT professional. I do not want to upgrade my computer. I just want it to turn on when I press the button, surf the web when I need it to and launch the applications when I ask it too. For those reasons, reasons that the majority of the population has Mac are better. I was never able to keep my PC running for more than 3 months before I had something crazy happening. Windows 7 is much better than Vista, but I am still getting weird things happen all of the time. For example: everyone in a while my receipt printer stops working. Restarting the system works, but that is a pain in the butt and I never have that happen on the Mac side. I will probably never buy a Windows based machine again. Especially now that I can run Windows on a Mac and the Mac Book Pro out bench marked a high end Alien Ware machine when running Windows. WalkerTXRanger I disagree. It is a statistical fact that Mac’s are more reliable than their PC counterpart. This can’t be debated. You can say that you are overpaying, but I disagree. Where’s why: I am not an IT professional. I do not want to upgrade my computer. I just want it to turn on when I press the button, surf the web when I need it to and launch the applications when I ask it too. For those reasons, reasons that the majority of the population has Mac are better. I was never able to keep my PC running for more than 3 months before I had something crazy happening. Windows 7 is much better than Vista, but I am still getting weird things happen all of the time. For example: everyone in a while my receipt printer stops working. Restarting the system works, but that is a pain in the butt and I never have that happen on the Mac side. I will probably never buy a Windows based machine again. Especially now that I can run Windows on a Mac and the Mac Book Pro out bench marked a high end Alien Ware machine when running Windows.

]]> By: Todd http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-11282 Todd Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:22:56 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-11282 I've looked into this and unless you have been in business for a while you can't become an apple authorized service provider(AASP). If you aren't an AASP you can't get parts or repair manuals for the systems. I'm not 100% sure but it may even void the waranty because you aren't an AASP and that is what people buy apple for. I would love too, but I'm just a start up and don't have a walk-in location and audited financial records. Just read the AASP page on apple's site. I’ve looked into this and unless you have been in business for a while you can’t become an apple authorized service provider(AASP). If you aren’t an AASP you can’t get parts or repair manuals for the systems. I’m not 100% sure but it may even void the waranty because you aren’t an AASP and that is what people buy apple for.

I would love too, but I’m just a start up and don’t have a walk-in location and audited financial records. Just read the AASP page on apple’s site.

]]> By: Mike http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-9936 Mike Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:59:48 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-9936 When Apple breaks 10% I might look into it but seeing as I am 53 I won't be holding out too much hope that this will happen before I retire in 12 years time. The high school I work in has 509 Desktop computers out of which we have a grand total of 10 Macs and with a Mac store less than 2 kilometers from my office and another at James Cook University 6 kilometers away I don't see any need to gain certification. When Apple breaks 10% I might look into it but seeing as I am 53 I won’t be holding out too much hope that this will happen before I retire in 12 years time.
The high school I work in has 509 Desktop computers out of which we have a grand total of 10 Macs and with a Mac store less than 2 kilometers from my office and another at James Cook University 6 kilometers away I don’t see any need to gain certification.

]]> By: killamonkey http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-9212 killamonkey Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:37:29 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-9212 The more common computers and Macs use very similar, if not the same exact hardware most times. Mac cases are the only thing that is built better, the hardware is the same as the more common machines. They also come with a better warranty, (or you have to pay for an extended one). However, you must shell out more cash for this. Remember, if you get a laptop and the case is more rugged, the chances are the insides will last longer, thus the longer life of a macbook over a normal laptop, just make sure you get a somewhat sturdy laptop if you do not want to dish out the money for a macbook, simple as that. Macs are pc's and conventional computers are Pc's. You may think you are getting a better system (well truth is it may last you longer, but you are paying around twice the amount for the same hardware. At least where I live that is the case. It is a matter of opinion and costs. To get to the point, Macs are simpler, not for as much expension and complexity at all. Conventional Machines can range between simple and complex, but are generally more complex than Apple Products, and although Macs can run other OS's, Conventional systems are known more often to run varying operating systems, with a majority of users using Windows, and to a lesser extent, users running Linux. Lets stop the mac vs pc wars. It is silly. Source : Heavy Conventional Computer (what you call a PC user) IT professional with working knowledge of Linux and Windows in a Desktop and Back end Environment. The more common computers and Macs use very similar, if not the same exact hardware most times.

Mac cases are the only thing that is built better, the hardware is the same as the more common machines. They also come with a better warranty, (or you have to pay for an extended one). However, you must shell out more cash for this.

Remember, if you get a laptop and the case is more rugged, the chances are the insides will last longer, thus the longer life of a macbook over a normal laptop, just make sure you get a somewhat sturdy laptop if you do not want to dish out the money for a macbook, simple as that.

Macs are pc’s and conventional computers are Pc’s.

You may think you are getting a better system (well truth is it may last you longer, but you are paying around twice the amount for the same hardware. At least where I live that is the case.

It is a matter of opinion and costs. To get to the point, Macs are simpler, not for as much expension and complexity at all.
Conventional Machines can range between simple and complex, but are generally more complex than Apple Products, and although Macs can run other OS’s, Conventional systems are known more often to run varying operating systems, with a majority of users using Windows, and to a lesser extent, users running Linux.

Lets stop the mac vs pc wars. It is silly.

Source :
Heavy Conventional Computer (what you call a PC user)
IT professional with working knowledge of Linux and Windows in a Desktop and Back end Environment.

]]> By: WalkerTXRanger http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-8792 WalkerTXRanger Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:24:23 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-8792 I disagree Carla. I maintain a lab of 200 Mac Pros and they are far more difficult to maintain and keep stable than their Windows-based counterparts. Sure, the OS is good for some things but people need to get rid of this notion that Apple computers are superior in every way to so-called "PCs", because they aren't/ I disagree Carla. I maintain a lab of 200 Mac Pros and they are far more difficult to maintain and keep stable than their Windows-based counterparts. Sure, the OS is good for some things but people need to get rid of this notion that Apple computers are superior in every way to so-called “PCs”, because they aren’t/

]]> By: Carla http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-an-apple-certified-technician/comment-page-1/#comment-7854 Carla Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:32:36 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/how-to-become-a-apple-certified-technician/#comment-7854 Get your heads out of the sand. For those of you who won't convert to Mac because of the price, you need to consider how often you need to upgrade, fix, add security updates, defrag and debug your Windows-based system (and all the added software), and all the costs associated. Mac does not put out a new OS every year or two because they do not HAVE to. Their products are above and beyond what Windows puts out. Macs are supior in every way related to stability. Windows machines are notorious for crashing, system freezes (the kind you have to restart the computer) and application freezes. Windows are also EXCEPTIONALLY more vulnerable to viruses and hacks...simply because they're what everyone else uses. The everyday hacker who preys off of your average Joe with no or little virus protections or firewall will not take the time to learn Mac systems because they are not of a "significant status" of the population of computers. If you have never used a Mac, I suggest you go out and try one. About the only difference in behavior is you need to remember to use the command/apple key to replace the CTRL commands from a Windows computer. After I got used to using a Mac at college, I will NEVER look back at Windows again. Sometimes I wish I still had Windows capability because some programs are not made for or compatible with Macs, but the introduction of the Intel-based Macs have alleviated that problem...I just haven't upgraded yet. Using bootcamp, any Mac user can run a Windows OS of their choice within their Mac OS, giving added virus protection etc. Using bootcamp, you now can have Windows capability for those odd programs that don't have a Mac version, but you won't have to sacrifice stability of your entire computer. Long story short, Windows stuff is cheap because it's just that. It breaks much more often, drivers are randomly lost, and Windows crashes...A LOT!! Out of my 6 years of Mac usage, I have only ever frozen a Mac to the point of needing to push the power button once, but I've done it dozens and dozens of times with Windows based computers in the same time period. I will NOT run anything that requires a lot of computing power on a Windows machine if I have a choice. Try a Macintosh! Give it a real chance. It's just as easy to use as Windows, despite any horror stories you may have heard. Base price for a Mac may be 2-3X the cost of a Windows computer, but I can guarantee that you'll use it at least that much longer than Windows, and you'll upgrade less, too! That saves you money in the long run! Get your heads out of the sand. For those of you who won’t convert to Mac because of the price, you need to consider how often you need to upgrade, fix, add security updates, defrag and debug your Windows-based system (and all the added software), and all the costs associated. Mac does not put out a new OS every year or two because they do not HAVE to. Their products are above and beyond what Windows puts out. Macs are supior in every way related to stability. Windows machines are notorious for crashing, system freezes (the kind you have to restart the computer) and application freezes. Windows are also EXCEPTIONALLY more vulnerable to viruses and hacks…simply because they’re what everyone else uses. The everyday hacker who preys off of your average Joe with no or little virus protections or firewall will not take the time to learn Mac systems because they are not of a “significant status” of the population of computers.

If you have never used a Mac, I suggest you go out and try one. About the only difference in behavior is you need to remember to use the command/apple key to replace the CTRL commands from a Windows computer. After I got used to using a Mac at college, I will NEVER look back at Windows again. Sometimes I wish I still had Windows capability because some programs are not made for or compatible with Macs, but the introduction of the Intel-based Macs have alleviated that problem…I just haven’t upgraded yet. Using bootcamp, any Mac user can run a Windows OS of their choice within their Mac OS, giving added virus protection etc. Using bootcamp, you now can have Windows capability for those odd programs that don’t have a Mac version, but you won’t have to sacrifice stability of your entire computer.

Long story short, Windows stuff is cheap because it’s just that. It breaks much more often, drivers are randomly lost, and Windows crashes…A LOT!! Out of my 6 years of Mac usage, I have only ever frozen a Mac to the point of needing to push the power button once, but I’ve done it dozens and dozens of times with Windows based computers in the same time period. I will NOT run anything that requires a lot of computing power on a Windows machine if I have a choice.

Try a Macintosh! Give it a real chance. It’s just as easy to use as Windows, despite any horror stories you may have heard. Base price for a Mac may be 2-3X the cost of a Windows computer, but I can guarantee that you’ll use it at least that much longer than Windows, and you’ll upgrade less, too! That saves you money in the long run!

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