Best Tech Support? Still Apple

[Michael Knutson]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://blog.laptopmag.com/2010-tech-support-showdown-shows-most-vendors-less-helpful-apple-still-the-best' target='_blank'>http://blog.laptopmag.com/2010-tech...-still-the-best</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Your notebook is driving you crazy! It keeps giving you blue screens, it won't connect to your router, or maybe it's just taking an eternity to boot. Who ya gonna call? If your notebook is still under warranty, you'll reach out to the manufacturer, either by visiting its website or by calling the support number."</em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/lpt/auto/1278956186.usr17748.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>It's time again for the results from LAPTOP's annual Tech Support Showdown. As one might expect, the down economy seems to be impacting technical support, with many vendors refusing to provide free support for anything but broken or defective hardware. Simple questions on optimizing the system, getting better battery life (and so on) were either refused or referred to 'for fee' vendor services. Twelve (12) vendors were tested, three (3) did better than in 2009, three (3) remained the same, and six (6) did worse than in 2009. Fifty percent worsened.</p><p>Apple received an A grade overall, and stayed at the top of the pack, trailed by HP and Lenovo (B+), Sony (B), ASUS, Dell and Toshiba (B-), Fujitsu, MSI and Samsung (C). Bringing up the rear were Acer and Gateway (D+).</p>

[crimsonsky]

Frankly, Apple's support is one of the major factors keeping me in the Apple ecosystem. No company is 100% all of the time, but I've never had anything but the best of experiences with Apple's support structure. Having a local Apple store is a huge part of this, of course, since I can make an appointment at the Genius Bar and in every case, the Genius was either able to resolve the problem on the spot or at most within a few hours. Apple's support is top notch and I have to believe it's part of what you pay for when you buy expensive Apple products!

[Michael Knutson]

Frankly, Apple's support is one of the major factors keeping me in the Apple ecosystem. No company is 100% all of the time, but I've never had anything but the best of experiences with Apple's support structure. Having a local Apple store is a huge part of this, of course, since I can make an appointment at the Genius Bar and in every case, the Genius was either able to resolve the problem on the spot or at most within a few hours. Apple's support is top notch and I have to believe it's part of what you pay for when you buy expensive Apple products!

I would agree! An example for me would be an iMac a few years ago that refused to power up ... I went through standard problem resolution without success, and took the iMac to a local Apple Store. After asking if I had my personal data backed-up (I did), they simply gave me a brand new machine. Now that's service!