Compare some of the best laptop computer brands using our ratings comparison of laptop computer owner satisfaction.
While some laptop owners spend their time frustrated with the speed, size and software of their computer, Apple Mac users have declared themselves happy, and have taken out our most satisfied customers – laptop computers award.
“Apple Mac owners are a very satisfied group,” said Steve Mickenbecker, Canstar Blue Head of Research. “The satisfaction levels we have seen from the laptop survey are consistently very high (and much higher than any other brands) in every criteria except for price. However, it seems that price has had little bearing on overall satisfaction when it comes to Apple”.
Battery life is the number one source of complaint about laptops, with our survey finding that respondents are frustrated by the need to plug in often.
“A lot of our respondents said that they felt their laptops were more like a desktop because of the short battery life, and the weight of their machines,” said Steve. “They were also frustrated with the functioning of keyboards and touch pads.”
Unlike our survey on desktop computers where Apple was again the winner, there has been no clear leader in the ‘Windows based’ laptop category and there will be no separate award.
Canstar Blue commissions Colmar Brunton to survey 2,500 Australian consumers across a range of categories every few months to measure and track customer satisfaction. The outcomes reported are the results from buyers of laptop computers within the survey group. To qualify, the laptop has to have been bought within the last two years.
Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands that received three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10.
Overall satisfaction
Apple was the clear winner in this criteria, ahead of Compaq, Toshiba, Acer, HP and ASUS on four stars, and Dell on three stars.
Price
Compaq and Acer customers were the most satisfied in this criteria, both scoring five stars. ASUS, Toshiba, Dell and HP scored 4 stars, followed by Apple on three stars.
Reliability and performance
Apple customers continued their high praise for Apple, scoring them five stars in this category. Compaq, Acer, HP, Toshiba and ASUS scored four stars, followed by Dell on three stars.
Tech support (after sale service)
Apple customers again demonstrated their high satisfaction, with this brand receiving five stars. Compaq, ASUS, HP and Toshiba scored four stars, while Acer and Dell received three stars.
Weight
Apple customers are very satisfied with the weight of their laptops, giving the highest score of five stars. ASUS, Compaq and Acer received four stars, while Toshiba, HP and Dell scored three stars.
Design, including appearance and size
Apple had the most satisfied customers in this criteria, ahead of ASUS, Acer, Compaq, HP, and Toshiba on four stars and Dell on three stars.
Screen
Continuing the theme, Apple customers were the most satisfied with the screen of their laptop, followed by Compaq, Acer, Toshiba, HP and ASUS on four stars, and Dell on three stars.
Battery life
Apple customers were also the most satisfied with the battery life provided by their laptops, followed by ASUS and Compaq on four stars, and Acer, Toshiba, Dell and HP on three stars.
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16 Dec 2010
Computers 
While some laptop owners spend their time frustrated with the speed, size and software of their computer, Apple Mac users have declared themselves happy, and have taken out our most satisfied customers – laptop computers award.