Update: There was some initial confusion as to who made the call and who Michael talked to. Michael apparently talked to an Apple representative, rather than Steve’o himself. The article has been edited to reflect this change.

So there’ve been some display issues with the new iMacs. No one’s denying that. Now boot issues too? Oh boy. And one Mac loyalist was so fed up with his recent purchase that he wrote a snarky email to Steve Jobs himself about the situation. And what did Steve do? He had a representative leave a voicemail on Michael Weber’s machine. What CEO does this?

If Steve called my house, I’d certainly faint or have a heart attack (even if was just on a representatives behalf). Steve felt pretty bad about the borked iMac. I mean, I would if I received an email like this (which is full of sarcasm).

Steve,
Received a 27” i7 iMac today that would only boot in verbose mode. Whatever happened to “It Just Works”? This was a top of the line unit built to order in Elk Grove, CA – not China. And it booted like a Gateway 2000!

I’m not naive. I did my due diligence. I was aware the 2009 iMacs had “issues” upon their release but data indicated they were resolved.
http://imac.squeaked.com/results.php

This is unforgivable human error! A poorly managed factory that employs incompetent workers who grind their parent company to a halt. The same kind of company that hands a priceless prototype to an irresponsible employee who leaves it on a barstool in drunken stupor.

As an Apple loyalist and stockholder I’m utterly disgusted and disappointed that your QC has degenerated this far.

Sincerely,
Michael J. Weber

After Steve had an Apple representative leave a voicemail on Michael’s machine, Michael called back and chatted it up with a representative himself. You can get audio (the bleeping of phone numbers is quite silly) exclusively at this MacHeist thread. It all ends well, and Apple’s sending Michael a brand new iMac, which will hopeful come with an extra case of unicorn tears.