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DEL.ICIO.USHow satisfied are you with your computer?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How satisfied are you with your choice of computers? Chances are you have some gripes and see things as getting worse.
I’ve been buying computers since before 1981 - when IBM created the IBM Personal Computer, coining the nickname PC. I owned one of the first Mac Classics. I have found memories of a Leading Edge Model D PC. Many of the computers I owned were made by companies that don’t exist anymore. I don’t think the level of customer service that was once common exists these days either.
Customer care is near a low point.
According to a recent survey that is respected in the trade your best shot at satisfaction is Apple. But even there, the survey says, fewer customers are satisfied.
Over all brands, customer satisfaction is down by about 3 percent compared to last year’s survey.
My thinking? The drop has little to do with computers or high tech. I think companies - whether they sell refrigerators, cars or fast food chicken - are doing a poor job in general serving customers. Whether the problem is out-sourcing jobs overseas or an attempt to squeeze the last penny out of profits, it’s a big mistake — sacrificing tomorrow’s growth for more profits today.
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Comments
By Prootwadl
August 14, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
I absolutely love my main computer.
I purchased a Millenia Pro2 Plus tower system from Micron way back in November 1996 with what was the top processor at the time (a Pentium Pro 200, the first 686-class chip), 64MB of 60ns EDO/ECC RAM, all SCSI components, a screamingly fast video card for 1996 (the infamous 4GB Matrox MGA Millenium), a Creative Labs SoundBlaster 32 on the mommyboard, and a Diamond Monster 3DII Voodoo2 3-D acclerator card from 3DFX.
I’ve since added a Yamaha CD burner, an additional 128MB of RAM, a few small but sturdy additional SCSI hard drives, and a 21” Hitachi monitor.
Over ten years later and on 24x7 during most of that time (behind a nice UPS), it’s still ticking, still running an OS/2 variant like it did in 1996 (Warp 4 FP 15 these days with EMX and Odin), and triple-booting between it, OpenDOS 7.01, and Windows 95 OSR2 with a nice QuikMenu 4 facelift, but this time running Firefox instead of the ancient version of Netscape that came bundled with the box.
I also move my two secondary boxes — IBM IntelliStation model 6899’s (also PPro boxes) purchased used on eBay (as new boxes they were way out of my price range). I’ve heard a lot of bad stories about IBM’s consumer models in later years, but in the mid and late 90’s, their IntelliStation workstation line was a very classy act. Jet black, sleek, and built like tanks.
By krackers
August 15, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
We bought two Toshiba Satellite P25 S670 computers about three years ago. Nothing but misery. 6 months into ownership one had to be sent in for repair. It took another 6 months, mountains of phone calls and letters to learn they had to order a motherboard made in China and then shipped. We requested a loaner or compensation or replacement but nothing came. 1 1/2 years of ownership the same computer needed an new hard drive, a quicker repair this time. Next the second computer now needs a new motherboard and we are told there are none available. They quit making them. The first computer needs a CMOS battery but the authorized repair place say they can’t reach where the battery is without taking it all apart. It also has a failing motherboard.
I would love to find a reliable computer, we now need three in the family, with decent repair and help services. And does anyone send the Windows disc anymore?