Electronics
Computer reliability
Introduction
Which computer brand is the most reliable? And which retailer has the best reputation for looking after its customers?
We asked consumer.org.nz members to tell us about their computers - and with nearly 6000 responses to our survey, we've got the answers you need to shop with confidence.
Read on to find out which desktops, laptops, and computer retailers our members preferred. Plus, see our separate report on printer reliability.
About our survey
It’s been two years since we last asked online members about their computers. Some things have changed – laptops now make up 44 percent of our sample, up from 33 percent in our 2007 survey.
But the same brands are still the most reliable for desktop and laptop computers - the top brand for each type had the same 91 percent reliability rating.
Our survey of online subscribers was carried out during February 2009 and more than 5700 people provided us with information on computers they had bought new since January 2004.
We asked about desktop and laptop hardware and we excluded software problems such as operating system crashes, viruses, and worms.
We specifically asked about:
- reliability: whether the computer had been repaired during the previous 12 months
- satisfaction: whether the owner would buy the same brand of computer again
- after-sales service: how people rated after-sales service (advice and support as well as repairs).
Reliability data are weighted to take account of the age of the computer.
Our very special thanks to those who took part in the survey.