Anyone subscribe to consumer reports?

[flyted]

What was the latest ranking for reliability on laptops? I'm looking for the most inexpensive laptop that has high reliability for my girlfriend. She does 99% internet surfing and sime wi-fi but thats it, reliability is #1, technology last on the list. Thanks

 

[IlllI]

go to the library and browse their magazine

 

[TheStu]

Apple and Lenovo are consistently on the top of the list.

 

[RalfHutter]

Latest CR reliability ratings show IBM and Compaq tied for first place. Sony and Toshiba tied for second. Dell, HP and Gateway tied for third. Bringing up the rear is Apple.

 

[Pheran]

Originally posted by: RalfHutter
Latest CR reliability ratings show IBM and Compaq tied for first place. Sony and Toshiba tied for second. Dell, HP and Gateway tied for third. Bringing up the rear is Apple.

While this is technically true, you failed to mention that these ratings are literally all within 1 point of each other, and the section states, "Differences of less than 3 points are not meaningful." In other words, there is no clear difference in laptop reliability across brands according to CR.

 

[IlllI]

Originally posted by: RalfHutter
Latest CR reliability ratings show IBM and Compaq tied for first place. Sony and Toshiba tied for second. Dell, HP and Gateway tied for third. Bringing up the rear is Apple.

i wonder how that is possible considering hp owns the compaq brand. i'd assume they share much of the same parts, only main difference would be the name

 

[flyted]

Thanks to all who responded, that was exactly the info I was looking for.

 

[RPatrick]

Does anyone have an idea where Acer would be on that list ? For that matter, is there a brand that is widely known as junk, or are all laptops nowadays pretty reliable ?

 

[flyted]

Asus seems to be the price leader, I noticed they were not mentioned in the ratings, are they too new or does anyone know their reputation or who makes them? I can't see paying over $500 for basically an internet only machine.

 

[BladeVenom]

How about one of the new netbooks. Especially something with a SSD.

 

[flyted]

No one knows about the reliability of Asus? They are for sale everywhere and are the low price leader.

 

[dougltc]

Originally posted by: flyted
What was the latest ranking for reliability on laptops? I'm looking for the most inexpensive laptop that has high reliability for my girlfriend. She does 99% internet surfing and sime wi-fi but thats it, reliability is #1, technology last on the list. Thanks

I would avoid Consumer Reports. Despite their claims to the contrary, they are very biased in some areas and definitely have an agenda.

I work in the financial services industry and they have done several "reviews" of financial products that I have I am very knowledgeable about and I was shocked at how one-sided their presentation on these products was. And this wasn't one review. It was three over a 12 or 13 year period of time.

So to me, CR has lost all credibility.