Apple leads PC Magazine’s 16th annual Service and Reliability Survey

The 18,000 subscribers surveyed by PC Magazine for their 16th annual Service and Reliability Survey were more content this year than in 2002 about the reliability and available technical support for their computers.

Apple Computer led the desktop PC category, scoring an A+ along with Dell, tying the Mac maker. Sony got an A, as did ABS Computer Technologies, a maker of PCs geared toward value-conscious buyers and video game players.

In laptop or notebook computers, the top grades went to Apple. IBM and Toshiba also tied for top grade. Dell followed with a B+.

In the server category, Apple placed first in overall satisfaction, tied with Dell.

One need only read the report to see that only the Mac OS X-based computers from Apple placed consistently first in desktops, laptops, and servers. Might this report open a few more eyes?

Full report here.

MacDailyNews Take: It is very interesting and informative to see how the “mainstream” press treats this story, most notably The Associated Press. The AP story below will be repeated verbatim in thousands of media outlets around the world for the next few days. This is where the vast majority of people (potential computer buyers) will read of the PC Mag survey, not from the survey itself. This is how “Wintel” propagates itself. It obsures enough real information to create a virtual lie. This succinctly illustrates why Apple struggles so for the hearts and minds of computer buyers. The AP story including their headline:

Users Shouting At Computers Less

Dell Tops Satisfaction Survey

NEW YORK (AP) — Computer users aren’t shouting at their screens quite as much.

PC Magazine says a survey of 18,000 subscribers found that consumers are more satisfied with their computers — and a major reason is Windows XP.

The magazine said Microsoft’s newest operating system has made PCs seem more stable and reliable.

For the 12th year out of the last 13, Dell’s desktop PCs scored highest, and this year Dell shares top honors with Apple. But the merger of Hewlett-Packard and Compaq did nothing for their desktops, which got the lowest possible grades.

For laptops, IBM, Toshiba and Apple ranked highest.

The magazine said the biggest complaint among computer users is with technical support people who are hard to understand because that work has been moved overseas to cut costs.

AP story here.

Read the report directly from PC Magazine. Pay attention to the charts a few pages in and see what conclusion you come up with. We stand by our report and our headline.