Consumer Reports Still Being Kind to Macs as They Should

The June 2005 issue of Consumer Reports recently landed in our mail box. CR rates "Best laptops and desktops" on pp. 40-44. Apple comes out smelling like an Apple blossom. CR summarizes its findings with a caption on page 40 under a picture of a person using an iMac G5.

"TOPS. The Apple iMac was an excellent performer in our tests. Apple is also the leading desktop brand in reliability and satisfaction with tech support."

Under the headings "How to Choose>Decide between Windows and Macintosh" CR reports:

"More home and entertainment software is available for Windows computers than for Macs. Apple's computers, however, have attractions of their own. The brand repeatedly scores at or near the top in reliability and tech support. Our recent survey of desktop computer users, in fact, rated Apple more than 20 points ahead of the pack for tech support.* Viruses and spyware are also far less likely to target Macs than Window PCs, judging by the number of viruses estimated to target each computer platform - a ratio of about 1,000 to 1."

* Apple topped the list for laptop tech support, too, scoring 15 points better than its nearest rival. Apple scored tops in all four tech support categories for both desktops and laptops. No other brand came close.

Under "Quick Picks" "For the best reliability and support" amongst 11 desktops, CR picked the 17" iMac G5.

Under "Quick Picks" "For the best reliability and support" amongst 15 laptops, CR picked the 14" iBook Combo.

[Dana Baggett]