14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has dropped a spot in the latest Rescuecom Computer Reliability Report, which has increased the frequency of releasing its data from once a year to once every quarter (four times a year). Taking the lead was ASUS, which made a surprise leap into the top spot joined by IBM/LENOVO with a score of 348. Apple is just four points down at 324.
The Rescuecom Computer Reliability Report is described as "an unbiased analysis that compares computer vendors' market share with consumer service calls from Rescuecom's 1-800-RESCUE-PC call center." The report calculated PC reliability scores based on a sample of 15,000+ calls throughout the quarter, revealing the quality of the components and software used in manufacturing the computer, as well as the after-the-sale support the manufacturer provides to its customers. According to Rescuecom, these are the two most important measures of reliability.
Each score was based on reliability, and how well that brand scored in that area. The computer vendors reported to have the strongest reliability scores are listed as such:
ASUS (972) & IBM/LENOVO (348) APPLE (324) TOSHIBA (172) ACER (151) HP/COMPAQ (142).
"The results are in, and although ASUS is the leader this quarter with a reliability score of 972, ASUS's reliability score should be taken with a grain of salt, even though it was more than 600 points ahead of IBM/LENOVO. We look forward to seeing if ASUS is able to maintain the same demand and reliability over the coming quarters," says David A. Milman, Rescuecom's founder and CEO.
"In this economy, consumers and business owners want to know a computer is reliable before they invest hard-earned dollars," Milman adds. "Our reports are intended to empower consumers when they head out to make purchasing decisions. Since technology develops at a rapid pace, our quarterly analyses provide a timely resource."
Rescuecom also points out that, in late September 2008, ASUS started shipping a new version of its EEE laptop. The Taiwanese multinational company shipped an impressive number of units, yet received a disproportionately small number of calls relating to issues with the product, thus propelling it to top spot. Nevertheless, Rescuecom's next report will say whether or not ASUSTeK sustains its reliability momentum. We should find out soon enough (next quarter).