Apple laptops, iPod top reliability survey
updated 06:45 pm EST, Thu December 15, 2005
PC Mag survey Winners
Apple again has been recognized for its notebook and iPod reliability PC Magazine's survey of over 35,000 subscribers. While being recognized as a "Winner" for both reliability and service/support for its notebooks and MP3 player, Apple received only an average rating for most , both Apple and Lenovo earned above average scores in overall reliability and satisfaction with reliability categories, while Lenovo additionally earned an above average rating in resolving any hardware or software problems.
In its report, PC Magazine said that Apple earned an above average rating for easy-of-use and satisfaction with reliability for its iPod MP3 players for the second year in a row. Of all the other MP3 manufacturers--including Sony, Samsung, Creative, iRiver, RCA, and Dell--only iRiver received an above-average rating in any category: the survey found iRiver had an above average rating for resolving any problems, but earned an below-average rating for its products' ease-of-use.
Once a leader in the reliability and service categories, Dell continued to show no signs of improvements, according to the editors.
"Our survey also confirmed the growing perception that Dell's halo is fading. Once known for its excellent reliability and service, Dell received scores for desktops and notebooks that were average overall and below average in some areas, including phone support hold time. Dell's overseas reps with thick accents also featured in many reader complaints. Recent changes by the company to shorten some warranties and alter delivery policies may tarnish its image as well."
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2003
Not very representative!!
Hmm, I guess that just goes to show you how unreliable surveys can be. I've been using Macs since they first came to market and have owned PowerBooks since the 170, before System 7 was released, but I have to say that the record of Apple's laptops has been atrocious, lately. I had eight logicbboard replacements on my iBook without any hope of having the actual iBook replaced, unlike the more vocal protestors. I've had a logic board on my iMac replaced for the same reason. Now, reports abound about very noticeable lines on the new PowerBook and white spots on the generation immediately preceding that. I'm scared to even take another chance on another Apple laptop—especially a PowerBook—but I'll have to do so eventually, because I'll never settle for a PC, as I prefer the Mac OS despite the recent trend of hardware failures. If PC hardware is even worse, that shows how poor the general design or quality assurance of laptops has become in recent years.