PC Magazine Readers Give Palm OS Handhelds High Marks
PC Magazine has released the results of its 15th annual Service and Reliability reader survey, which covers handhelds for the first time. The three top Palm OS makers, Palm, Handspring, and Sony, all scored above average for satisfaction with reliability. The Pocket PC manufacturers didn't do so well. Hewlett-Packard had an average score while Casio and Compaq are worse than average.
Handspring and Sony did very well, scoring an A+ and an A, respectively. Both received above average scores in overall satisfaction. However, Palm didn't do quite as well, receiving a B-. Palm was hurt by a worse-than-average score for overall satisfaction and satisfaction with repairs and technical support. All three received better than average scores in the likelihood of buying again.
Though Compaq and Casio scored poorly on satisfaction with reliability, both Compaq and HP scored better than average in overall satisfaction and the likelihood of buying again. Casio is worse than average in both of these.
The companies offering alternate operating systems fared very poorly. Sharp, which uses Linux in the Zaurus, received a D, while Psion, which uses the EPOC operating system, received an E.
Most respondents were satisfied with their handhelds. The overall score for all types of handhelds was 7.8 on a scale of 1 to 10. However, 14% of the units required repairs in the past year. Receiving a replacement unit was the most common method of repair.
About the Survey
PC Magazine's survey, the largest of its kind, received feedback from more than 15,000 randomly selected readers about their satisfaction level with the technology products and services they use. The study evaluated everything from reliability, the quality and frequency of repairs and
technical support, to the respondents' willingness to buy again from the same company. Companies are graded from A+ (highest) to E (failing grade). Products rated A- or better receive PC Magazine's Reader's Choice Award.
The 2002 survey covers desktops, notebooks, servers, printers, ISPs, digital cameras, handhelds, and home-networking gear.
Thanks to Foo Fighter for the tip. -Ed
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RE: Palm's support isn't what it used to be....
RE: Palm's support isn't what it used to be....
She was told by Palm Technical Support that if an m500 gives a low battery warning, it has to be charged within 30 seconds. I told the owner that the tech support person was wrong, and that her data should have been safe for about a week even after critical voltage was reached and the Palm refused to turn on. Her unit is defective and should be replaced.
I have had experts who were very helpful and friendly at Palm, but at the other extreme, they should not be putting newbies who know little about their products on the phone with customers.
RE: Palm's support isn't what it used to be....
Sony, Handspring, and Palm
RE: Sony, Handspring, and Palm
_____
Fammy
Handspring, EPOC
Also, EPOC was given a grade of "E"... what's that? The politically correct way of giving an "F"? :-)
RE: Handspring, EPOC
RE: Handspring, EPOC
RE: Handspring, EPOC
Sony would rank F- for actual support and an A- for product reliability.
Sony scores high on reliability???
RE: Handspring, EPOC
And I would be suspect about anything mentioned by a kid in Best Buy, or Circuit City or CompUSA for that matter. This, especially, since I have seen no significant newsgroup postings about any hardware quality problems with the NR70.
The NR70 is remarkably durable and no one twists that hinge back and forth more than me.
RE: Handspring, EPOC
Oh god, not again
RE: Oh god, not again
Wherefore art thou, Handera?
RE: Wherefore art thou, Handera?
FWIW, in my experience HandEra's support is phenominal. I have had to send a unit in for repair before, on occation. They had it back to me via UPS in 48 hours, fixed, and sometimes they would throw in a new stylus "by mistake" (I always keep the stylus when sending a device in). They have a reputation for the best support in the business, and it is indeed well earned. It's too bad they didn't make the survey, they would probably have rated an A+ as well.
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RE: Wherefore art thou, Handera?
The Emperor has no Clothes!
RE: The Emperor has no Clothes!
Unfortunately, Bill seems to be somewhat bulletproof. Now if only his software was too...
RE: The Emperor has no Clothes!
As Dr. Evil would say.."Riiiiiiiiiight".
RE: The Emperor has no Clothes!
Surprised
According to the reviews at CZnet, Sony's tech support was rated terribly.
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Palm's support isn't what it used to be....