The WHOLE Truth about Computer Reliability

PC World's March issue is out and it's a scathing indictment of the #1 computer seller in the market.  HP/Compaq sells more PC's than just about anyone and yet they've scored (again) at the bottom of the reliability charts.  The same can be said about their laptops as with their desktop models. It's a shame, really, and a reality that HP is on record as trying to change, but their efforts have been slow.  Success, I suppose, has a down side.

Apple, Acer and....a surprise for some...eMachines have all scored at the top of their class.  Apple, of course, has been doing this pretty consistently, but the other two are other than household names for the general consumer.

HP has a gigantic market presence with their PC's being sold into every market channel imaginable.  eMachines, often equated with low end computing, has delivered the goods on buyer satisfaction, as has Acer.  The Acre market has grown accordingly and is now available way beyond their traditional online sales.  I guess sometimes the good guys DO win.

Are there others I'd recommend?  Sure.  Of course.  I still like Lenovo for desktops and laptops and Toshiba still scores at the top of the laptop heap (as does...'gasp'...Apple).

It underscores my gut for many years...that HP, though leading in units sold is also leading in complaints registered, and unless and until they provide me with a test model that proves PC World AND Neighborhood Computer Services wrong I just can't recommend 'em to anyone that asks me.  Wish I could...can't.

Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net


Call : 503-530-6623

"Danger! Danger! Will Robinson"

We've written before about various e-mail scams to get to 'click here' and make you wish you hadn't... Most of us know that there are "Ethiopian" money scams. But the latest and nastiest are:

• CraigsList Verifier - The way this one works is to LOOK as if it's from the CraigsList people, asking you to verify your 'membership' and click here to avoid a scam. Devious, but effective. Tens of thousands have clicked the link.
• Shipping Company Delivery - From 'FedEX' or the like...Hey, you WANT to get your delivery, right? Even though you can't remember having ordered anything? Well, just click the link and...and you're screwed! Sorry, but there's no nice way to put it. This was NOT a note from a shipping company.

Both of these viral scams have had a variety of results ... None of them pleasant. It's really a shame that a growing amount of my business is undoing these avoidable scams for nice people. Be warned, and be careful about clicking ANYTHING in e-mails you weren't expecting to get. Your bank, your brokerage firm, shipping companies and your friends don't operate this way, so be careful out there.