ASUS topples Apple in computer reliability study
updated 11:55 am EDT, Tue March 24, 2009
Macs slip in reliability
Apple has lost some status as one of the most reliable major computer builders, claims RESCUECOM. The support company has released its latest quarterly analysis, measuring the number of cases taken at its call center against the number of computers shipped by a given manufacturer. RESCUECOM notes that while Apple ended 2008 as the most reliable computer builder, the first quarter of 2009 has seen it fall to second place with a score of 324.
The new leader of the group is ASUS, with an unusually high score of 972. The company is, however, sharing its position with the IBM/Lenovo partnership, despite the latter's score of 348. RESCUECOM ntoes that the ASUS number has been swayed by a sudden influx of Eee netbooks from the previous quarter, which may mean that the company's score will settle as its products undergo more rigorous use.
Ranking third in the study is Toshiba at 172, followed by Acer in fourth with 151, and HP/Compaq in fifth with 142. Conspicuously absent is Dell, which is typically in competition with HP for domination of North American PC sales. Electronics giant Sony also failed to rank well with its line of VAIO computers.
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So what?
I wouldn't trust Geek Squad or RESCUECOM with any repair services, and so why should I trust their statistics? I always wondered why anyone pays attention to these guys. It isn't like these guys studied the industry OUTSIDE of their customer base. They were just doing a study of their customer's machines.
How likely is it that a Mac owner would buy services from RESCUECOM? Are they an Apple-authorized repair service? Don't we just go to Apple? How did they collect these numbers? Doesn't ASUS actually manufacture a lot of products FOR Apple?
I believe their claim, but I don't believe their claim is indicative of the entire marketplace - only theirs.