Posted on 12/02/2015 8:47:54 PM PST by Swordmaker
Whatever brand you swear by (or at) there's good news, and bad, in the findings. But this Consumer Reports survey of 58,000 notebook owners finds one vendor has a huge edge in reliability and satisfaction - and it probably isn't yours.
Notebook computers can be one of the most maddening consumer devices ever - especially when they break. A survey of 58,000 Consumer Reports subscribers adds some welcome evidence into just how likely notebooks are to break - by brand.
Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent, nonprofit, consumer product testing organization. They buy the products they test, don't accept advertising, and don't allow their results to be used for promotion. I'm a fan of their work.
BIG PICTURE
In the survey, almost 20 percent of respondents reported a breakdown in the first 3 years of use, most of them seriously affecting system use.
Apple, as in year's past, has the most reliable notebooks by far - a 10 percent breakdown rate in the first 3 years - with Samsung and Gateway distant seconds at 16 percent, and the rest of the industry - including Acer, Lenovo, Toshiba, HP, Dell and Asus, at 18-19 percent.
Windows machines used more than 20 hours a week - average for Windows systems - have a higher break rate. Apple users report using their machines an average of 23 hours a week, 15 percent more. More hours, fewer breakdowns, what's not to like?
WHEN BREAKDOWNS OCCUR
Yet Apple buyers face problems too. While overall reliability is good, Apple notebooks have a consistent 3-4 percent annual breakdown rate, while Windows machines are much more likely to fail in the first year, often under warranty.
While Apple notebooks break less often, when they do they are often more expensive to fix. That's one reason why CR advises Apple buyers to consider the Apple Care extended warranty, especially since Apple's phone support is highly rated. On Windows machines, they advise you to save money by skipping add-on warranties.
However, Windows machines are more likely to be lemons: among those that broke, 55 percent did so multiple times. The figure for Apple was 42 percent.
CUSTOMER SAT
Psychologists have found that an early negative experience takes many positive experiences to overcome. A rational economic actor - if there was one! - might think that sure, Windows notebooks fail more often, but they cost less, so OK.
But people aren't rational.
High early failure rates may be a key factor in another of CR's findings: 71 percent of Apple notebook owners were completely satisfied with system reliability; only 38 percent of Windows notebook owners were. Ouch!
THE STORAGE BITS TAKE
The survey results - 58,000 is a big sample size by any measure - should end the argument over whether MacBook hardware is better or not. It is. Get over it.
But you - and probably the survey respondents - can buy a $400 Windows notebook, so I'd like the results better if they'd controlled for product price. Maybe a $850 Windows machine is just as reliable as an $850 MacBook Air.
One would hope!
Keypunch machnines; no way. Only a limp wristed, decaff drinking, ObamaCare recipient would use one of those.
I use bone shards from the skull of a bull elk I killed by hand; to punch mine.
Works just fine.
I'm sure it does.
Well, now, that's right good, and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go stir the fire... the squirrels that store my data are getting cold and their bitrate is dropping...
I actually considered making a BootCamp partition to run Win10, but I decided I’ll just RDP into my MSFT boxes as necessary. I don’t need it running natively on my SSD.
Our chief network admin prefers VMWare, so I might just use the OSX version of that if I need a dev environment to tote around.
Either Bootcamp or VMs.
Some amusing comments here tonight. ;-)
Guess I’ll wander back to bed now; had my laugh and a cup of coffee, now good for another couple of hours sleep.
> Either Bootcamp or VMs.
Ah, true, could be a VM.
"More BS. Again, you are lying."
"Where DO you get your completely ignorant mis-information"
It's a shame that you instinctively degenerate to such a vulgar, vile, disgustingly low level. Perhaps that's where your heart and soul are. Let's hope not.
It's a shame you come onto an Apple thread and start posting completely ignorant claims that are entirely and demonstrably untrue. Since you claim to have used a Mac, they have to be lies. I cannot fathom why you would post such drivel. If you don't know and are merely ignorant of these things don't start posting as if you are an authority. You aren't. And don't get upset when experts call you on your claims!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.