Serviced 4x within 5 Months: Can I Get a New Machine Replacement?

Question

After much consideration, I made the PC to Mac switch, and bought my first laptop and Mac product: a iBook G4 from macmall.com, in late December 2005, right before leaving for a spring semester abroad.
In about a month, I had my HD replaced under the standard 1-year guarantee, at the local service center (France).
About a month after that, my airport card stopped working.
When I got it back, I took it home and found a blue screen. I took it back and they said that there was another problem, likely something with the motherboard. That was fixed.
A few weeks ago, I had another problem where my computer would only start up to the blue screen again. I still don't know what it was (in service currently) but it is a hardware problem, and the 3rd "major" problem (apparently Apple doesn't consider airport a considerable problem).
Losing information from the HD failure and having to get my computer serviced 4 times within 5 months has been very frustrating and disappointing. While abroad, my computer was supposed to play a central role: allow me to do work (for my classes, to apply for internships/scholarships) and very important personal support (maintain personal contact with friends/family, photos, music).
Although my iBook will be repaired by the time I return home to CA in 3 weeks, I want to ask Apple for a replacement machine.
I feel a mix of suspicion about the competency of the authorized Apple Service Center and loss of faith in my machine.
--> Do I have a case, especially given that my iBook will likely be working by the time I call in about 3 weeks (I'm still in France and thought it'd be a headache to try to get a replacement abroad)?
I also want the replacement to be a macbook.
Given that I had what I consider the most aggravating problem in the first month or so, a hard drive failure where I lost all the valuable data I brought for use/support while abroad, I wanted to argue that I get the equivalent of the product I bought when my ibook went awry. I see the macbook as the equivalent of the ibook.
--> Do I have an argument? Or is it unlikely that I can get a macbook for my ibook, considering they probably want to get rid of all remaining ibooks in stock?
Also, how likely is it that Apple will propose to refund the amount I paid for my computer (which I don't want), given that..
- I ordered through macmall.com?
- I paid 994 dollars for my ibook, and the macbook is 1,099?
Basically, I would appreciate insights on how realistic my desire to ask for a macbook replacement for my ibook is, given my situation.
Thank you in advance! I hope to call around July 10th!
P.S. If they agree to give me a macbook, would it be possible for me to ask to pay a little extra for a Superdrive?
Or pay the difference for even a Black macbook? Or do you think I could make a case for a Black macbook to replace my iBook?
iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.2) 512mb extra ram added when initially ordered from macmall.com

Answer 1

Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
If you get a perfectly working iBook back this time, I don't think you'd have any basis to ask for a complete replacement. Why would they replace a working computer?
However, if I were you, I would call Apple Customer Relations and let them know that if something breaks again, you will be expecting a replacement computer. Be friendly and firm with them. Be prepared with the dates and details of the previous repairs (parts that were replaced, people you talked to on the phone and the length of time you were without your iBook). See what they have to say about that.
If they do agree to replace your computer if it breaks again, there's no guarantee they'll replace your iBook with a MacBook. Those details will have to be worked-out with your Apple Customer Relations contact. (In the U.S., you have to call AppleCare Support, ask to talk to an operator and then ask the operator to connect you to Apple Customer Relations.)
-Doug