Apple Repairs Nasty MacBook Software Glitch

Apple Computer released a software fix this week for a really nasty software glitch affecting its MacBook line of notebook PC's. The problem, which affects both the MacBook and MacBook Pro, causes the affected computers to unexpectedly shut down without warning.

According to a syndicated article from the New York Times, Apple "introduced the new computers - its first that use Intel microprocessors and that can run Windows operating system software - early this year. The MacBooks and MacBook Pros have become the company's best-selling computers ever."

Unfortunately, a few of the computers "have been plagued with problems - most notably something users call 'random shutdown syndrome' that often results in corrupted files or lost work. Thousands of buyers have had to return their machines or get them repaired."

According to the Times, Apple spokesperson Teresa Weaver "declined to say how widespread the problem is, only [saying] that it affects 'a small percentage' of machines."

The problem is also a huge embarrasment for Apple, since it regularly advertises around the fact that Mac hardware tends to be "more stable and less prone to unexpected shutdowns than" similar hardware running Microsoft Corporation's heavily-utilized Windows operating system. Apple released the software patch ahead of schedule on Thursday owing to the both customer and media pressure, and the very nature of the problem itself.

The Times adds that "more than 1500 people have signed in to a website called macbookrandomshutdown.com that was started by a frustrated MacBook user in the US... [with] most claiming they have experienced the problem. Many [also] said they would like to sue Apple or force it to recall defective machines." Similarly, another "Apple users' website, macintouch.com, found in a survey of 2800 users that up to 19 per cent of some early MacBook Pro units suffer from the random shutdown problem."

But regardless of how many users were affected by the glitch, fixing the problem responsible for it is an important issue for Apple, as both the MacBooks and MacBook Pros are a key component of the company's recent comeback campaign. Estimates by the Times state that Apple "sold a record 1.6 million Macintosh machines last quarter alone."

"This is a new product for them in a key segment," Richard Shim, a senior analyst with technology research company IDC, said in a statement - adding that "the problem could become a big issue for Apple if left unsolved."

The full original article, in its entirety, can be found at the following URL:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/laptops - desktops/apple-issues-software-fix-for-macbookglitch/2006/10/30/1162056925525.html