When Apple launched their much-hyped iPad device a few weeks ago, the first thing naysayers asked — after they finished giggling over the silly name — was “What makes the iPad anything more than an expensive netbook without a proper keyboard?” Well, party-poopers, Apple COO Tim Cook has your answer: “Magic.” [More]
computers
Reach Acer Executive Customer Service Agent Monique
By 2.19.10
Monique: 254-298-4490. She’ll take care of you.
PREVIOUSLY: Reach Acer Executive Customer Service
Dell Delayed My Computer Purchase A Month, Took 50 Minutes On The Phone To Let Me Cancel
By 2.17.10
Danish says he ordered a Dell desktop computer late last year, and was willing to wait until Jan. 22 for its expected delivery. After that date kept getting bumped back until more than a month had passed, Danish canceled the order on an arduous phone call. [More]
Too Lazy To Type LOL? There's A Keyboard For That
By 2.16.10
When you’re IMing all your BFFs, do you have difficulty typing Internets-friendly phrases like LOL, L8R, TTYL on your Qwerty keyboard? In fact, do you have a problem pecking away at the keys on your Qwerty keyboard in general? A new keyboard unveiled at the New York Toy Fair hopes to be of assistance to you and all the other 8-year-olds like you. [More]
Steve Jobs Doesn't Trust Consumerist
By 2.16.10
Rob emailed Steve Jobs to tell him that until Apple fixed reader Joel’s account that had been billed $50,000 for iTunes purchases, he wouldn’t buy another Apple product. Replying via iPad, Steve Jobs told him, “I wouldn’t believe everything you read from places like this.” Ohhhh snap! But it wouldn’t be Jobs who had the last laugh… [More]
HP EECB Leads To Complete Refund For Defective 2-Year-Old Laptop
By 2.7.10
When Rick’s 2-year-old laptop failed for the second time due, he did not roll over and buy a new laptop or pay $400 for the repairs. This particular model of laptop had been recalled due to this very flaw, and that was not acceptable to Rick. He fought back, and shares his tale of triumph. [More]
Surprise Knife In Lenovo Box Cuts Reader
By 2.4.10
Reader Christian says he opened his recent Lenovo purchase only to get a nasty surprise: a deep cut on his finger from a box cutter left inside the package.
UPDATE: Lenovo wrote Christian back to say sorry and offer him a free battery.
Employee: Best Buy Scrambling To Clean Up Optimization Mess
By 1.29.10
A mysterious email from someone claiming to be a Best Buy employee has emerged from the mist of our inbox. In it, the sender claims that Best Buy is threatening termination for employees that try to force the optimization fee on unwilling customers… [More]
Don't Let An Unknown Caller Talk You Into Downloading Software
By 1.26.10
In the wide world of scams, this combination of a phone call and computer malware is sort of a novel twist. Jay likes to string phone scammers along to waste their time, so he managed to get quite a few details about how this particular scam works. If you’ve got naive family members with access to computers, either take away their computers or tell them never to download software from a stranger on the phone. [More]
Woman Accuses Dell Tech Support Of Launching Her Webcam Without Permission
By 1.25.10
I always keep a little sticker over the webcam lens on my netbook when I’m not using it, because I don’t trust that I know enough about computers to be 100% confident my webcam is off when I want it to be off. And if you think that’s being too paranoid, look at what happened to Dianne Annunziato earlier this month when she called a Dell support line for help with her laptop. [More]
Apple Customers Growing Frustrated Over Defective 27-Inch iMacs
By 1.14.10
Some unlucky iMac owners are still having problems with the screens on their new 27″ models, including a writer for TechCrunch and another for Gizmodo. TechCrunch offers a DIY tip for dealing with the screen while you decide whether to return the product. Gizmodo, however, is warning readers not to buy an iMac until Apple can demonstrate that the problem has been resolved. [More]
HP Won't Fix My Laptop Battery Problem
By 1.11.10
UPDATE: HP has offered to replace Nathan’s laptop via warranty. [More]
Lenovo Ignores Customer, Waits For Gift To Reach Wrong Destination
By 1.2.10
We hear that Lenovo, heirs to the Thinkpad line of laptops, makes some very nice computers. In the last few months, though, more and more Consumerist readers are having problems getting the company to complete an exchange in which money is exchanged for a computer. E.J.’s purchase is one such failed exchange, and his father’s Christmas laptop is now lurking in a UPS facility, a few hundred miles away from where it was supposed to be delivered. [More]
How Long Until The Netbook Becomes Obsolete?
By 12.31.09
Netbooks are currently very popular, and were a hot gift this holiday season. But are the tiny, stripped-down computers really the future of consumer laptops? According to the BBC, some technology experts think that the netbook may have already peaked–and most of what people seek out netbooks for today, they may use other devices, including tablets, in the future. [More]
Apple Genius Insults Customer, But Apple Corporate Steps In To Fix Things
By 12.23.09
Frank, one of the Geniuses at Tim’s nearby Apple store, was kind of an ass to Tim and his wife when they brought in their iMac to replace it. Luckily, a woman at Apple’s corporate office actually responded to Tim’s complaint and provided excellent customer service. [More]
Dell Mini 9 Mysteriously Ablaze! (Pics)
By 12.21.09
There’s a big scorch mark on Hannah’s floor. It appeared last week after her Dell Mini 9 began suddenly sizzling and smoking and melting. We have pictures, and questions. [More]
FTC Sues Intel For Decade Of Illegal Sales Tactics
By 12.17.09
The FTC sued microprocessor giant Intel yesterday, alleging the company had engaged in illegal sales tactics for the past 10 years, relying on backroom strongarming instead of over technical innovation to maintain market dominance. [More]
Which Notebook Brands Are The Best?
By 12.14.09
The website Laptop has launched a new series of posts about notebooks and netbooks. This time, they’re grouping the models by brand and asking readers to weigh in. Up first: HP, which generally has good aesthetics and keyboards as well as multitouch technology, but bad touchpads and heat issues. They also note that customer service is pretty bad for HP products. [More]
