How can an Apple product launch depress me?  Look at this headline:

Launched October 20th. Looks good so far

Alright.  I bought a ‘new’ MacBook on October 3rd, 2009. To replace the old PowerBook (you know the drill… one of the things taken in the robbery). There was even a little “new” symbol next to the MacBook picture at the Apple Store site on that day, because the processor was a little faster than the August MacBook.

Mossberg says the October 20 update is evolution, not revolution.  Well that makes me feel better.  My MacBook isn’t obsolete just 17 days into ownership is it?   Surely it’s just a hard drive upgrade.  Yes, 250GB instead of my 160GB; that’s right.  Well I don’t have to worry about that because I bought an external hard drive. Ok, nothing to worry about, at least they didn’t improve the design.

Oh crap. Ok, so it looks nicer, it’s thinner, and it weighs less. At least my two week-old OLD MacBook has a decent 4.5 hour battery like any good MacBook (current or future) should.

Well at this point I’m feeling kind of unlucky.  But no problem.  At least the new one still has that clicky old-school trackpad, which annoys and frustrates me every click.  They didn’t improve that did they?

Wow, right-click.  I’m feeling the way I did at the Grade 11 summertime dance where I made out with the first girl who offered (drunk), and I heard the whisper from the hottest girl in class saying “What a shame, you could have had me instead”.  Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!

No problem.  The display on my old one is state of the art.  It’s the best there is.  Right?

Can I sue Apple for pissing me off?

In all seriousness, although I am a victim, this is a no-win situation for any company. Things in technology keep on getting better. Better at the same price. Often. Consumers need to be super-informed before buying, and listen to ALL the rumours about new products coming out. Technology companies always disappoint the unlucky “bought the old model a few days before the new one was launched.”  The problem with Apple is they stock the new product the day they launch it, so it hurts even more.

I’ll ask Apple if they’re willing to take mine back because of the annoying click on the mousepad.  If you don’t ask, you don’t get.