Consumer Reports November Issue Rates Macs--Notebooks Tops Again!

The November 2006 issue of Consumer Reports (CR) just hit our mail box. It's the annual electronics issues and computers are rated - again. Never mind that computers were also in the March, June and September issues. The way desktops are rated changed with this month's issue to conform with the way notebooks were rated in the September issue so the ratings don't compare with the earlier issues.

No matter the changes, Apple's Macs still shine. Here are some highlights.

• Apple notebooks were rated tops in all three categories - 15.4-inch workhorse, 17-inch workhorse and 12.1 to 12.3-inch slim and light models - in which they were compared with other brands.
• Apple desktops didn't fare so well, according to CR. But, we think the deck was stacked. The Mac mini was included with PC budget models that have a 160GB hard drive, a DVD burner and stereo speakers. CR footnoted that the Mac mini had a 60GB hard drive, integrated speakers and a CD-RW/DVD combo drive and then downgraded its features, speakers, 3D gaming and expansion. If it didn't meet the basic specs of the competition, why include it? Likewise, the 17" iMac was compared with "workhorse" PCs that all have speakers with subwoofers. CR noted that the iMac had integrated speakers - and then downrated its speaker performance. It also rated the 17" iMac 3D gaming performance "Good" while three PCs were rated "Very good." But, we wonder were they were running the same games? Not likely. CR doesn't say.

We think CR's most valuable ratings are those involving feedback from its readers because of the large data base. Here are the latest.

• Based on a survey of about 12,300 CR subscribers, Apple hits a home run on tech support, the only brand getting top ratings for desktops and notebooks across the board.
• In Brand Repair History involving nearly 128,000 computers, Apple's desktops had fewer repairs than seven top PC brands by a significant difference. Apple laptop repair history was typical of other laptop brands - no significant difference.
• Computer stores were rated in nearly 82,000 responses from CR subscribers, including manufacturer direct by web or phone, and brick and mortar stores. Apple scored in the 90s in both categories unlike any of its competitors.

Some things never change. Macs Rule! [Dana Baggett]