Re: [NTLK] Bootstrapped! D'oh!

Well, I can confirm what other people have said about Wegener Media.

First, let me say the eMate they sent me was in great shape. I don't
fault them for their service or product when it comes to that.

The problem was that I paid $20 extra for a cheap Radio Shack power
brick with an eMate tip soldered to it. A brick that the eMate reports
provides too much power to the eMate. The bigger problem is that they
wouldn't take a return on this item, assuring me that it will work with
the eMate, and it's covered under their warranty, and that the warning
is just a matter of voltage control on the eMate being weird. This is
after I specifically told them NOT to give me a Radio Shack adapter.

So I spent an extra $20 on something I did not want or need, and will
not use. They wouldn't do an RMA on it. Basically, they told me I'm
stuck with it now, but it is covered if it ever fails.

It does seem to match the specs of the Apple version, though. I'll give
them credit for that.

120V 60Hz 14W input.

7.5V 700mA Regulated.

However, it's a Radio Shack component telephone power supply. They cut
the words "RADIO SHACK" from the top of the label on the brick, but
"Tandy/Radioshack" is still in the manufacturing information at the
bottom. They also covered the top with a "warranty void if removed"
sticker so I wouldn't be tempted to mess with it and find out where
they dug this thing up.

My problem isn't the construction of the power supply. It's that I
COULD HAVE DONE THAT MYSELF and don't appreciate being charged $20 for
someone to solder a Radio Shack brick to a different tip.

It also just looks stupid. White brick. White cord until halfway down,
where the cord changes to black after the coupling point.

So, I can endorse Wegener's eMates. They're quality machines. I can
not, however, endorse ever, ever spending the extra $20 for the power
supply from them. You can get genuine Apple Newton power supplies for
the same price elsewhere online.

Argh.

-- 
This is the NewtonTalk list - http://www.newtontalk.net/ for all inquiries
Official Newton FAQ: http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/
WikiWikiNewt for all kinds of articles: http://tools.unna.org/wikiwikinewt/