Are Computer Magazines impartial ?

[sarah_louise]

In my opinion I doubt it very much as they are being paid in Ad fees. What do you think of so called "Reviews" ?

A certain PC manufacturer is always getting Gold Star ratings. I bought solely on their recommendation and had the worst customer support issues I have ever had extending to hostile emails with them.
Once I read the Forums I found I was not alone.

A recent purchase of some software, a Media, Authoring, Video editing, Disc burning, Backup etc all in one Suite costing �79 from a software manufacturer with a four and half gold star wonderful write up in PC Advisor has caused me endless problems.
Even their Tech support page crashes before you can finish typing into it.
Reading the Amazon reviews on it today confirm my fears exact;y and again I am not alone.

[ACtheTROLL]

actually it works the other way round - the mfr provides the mag with a machine - hoping that the review will be good

by your theory - if app they all paid the mag - they'd all hve to get good reviews (which they don't)

If you watch what gets good reviews - then go to the ccl website - you'll see their stock follows the gadget show and mag reviews

their own brand PCs have had some terrible reviews

It's true that only the bigger mfrs can afford to submit machines - so you have no idea if the little guy is going to make it

and of course they have their favourites ...
and some products are just unbeatable - but after a while something else is given the recommended award ... just for a change

if you have an issue - mail the details to the reviewing mag - they all have a name and shame page as well

I have seen reviews withdrawn because of bad service

[ChuckFickens]

May I ask what your customer support issues with the PC manufacturer were about (i.e what was up with the computer?)?

[sarah_louise]

It started the day of the delivery when the specification of both the Processor and the RAM were not what I ordered or paid for but I was deemed to have accepted it by signing for delivery by the very unhelpful first contact.
I was then passed from one person to another the only interest from their point of view was reducing the price and me keeping it.
If I had just been told "Sorry we will collect and deliver the correct PC" I would have gladly accepted that.
There came a point when I decided they didnt deserve my custom and no matter what I didnt want their PC.
Only when I involved ComputerActive magazine was it collected and only when I involved the credit card company was a refund offer rather than credit made but it took about 4 months.