[Slim Shady]

Wow, 14 years of mac experience and you didn't know to avoid a 1st generation product?

Just kiddin' with ya, although you learned the hard way what (hopefully) most people have learned through forums like this - don't buy 1st generation electronic products, unless you're willing to be the beta-tester. That's no excuse for their total failure to repair or replace the unit in a timely manner however, it's pretty rare that one runs accross a bad review of Apple's customer service (they've been #1 in the US now for a few years) but it does happen - there are idiots all around us, and we are unfotunately powerless to stop them from making our lives absolutely unbearable. Check out where's suggested contact, having worked for Apple in the past I know that going to the top can make a big difference pretty quickly. The advent of the Apple stores here in the US have also helped stop cases like yours - when you can take a machine in, show them the problem and have an abolute hissy-fit when there's an issue can be much more effective then just yelling at someone over the telephone.

best of luck in the future,

Slim