Message-ID: <3156F356@mail.us.net> Date: Fri, 22 Mar 1996 12:19:00 PST From: SCS <mailto:SCS@DSR.US.NET> Subject: Laptops.... To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
I've been staying out of this debate, but as it continues, I can't resist. Let me say up front that I run DSR, a Toshiba dealer that specializes in exporting to the developing world - we're one of the largest Toshiba dealers on the East Coast of the USA, and the second largest repair center in the USA for Toshiba - fixing about 20 machines a day. So perhaps I'm a bit biased, but I've been involved for a long time and I've never seen any evidence that contradicts my opinion that Toshiba is clearly the most reliable machine available. Below is a piece I wrote quoting all the studies of reliability I've seen since laptops began. It speaks for itself.If anyone needs a Toshiba or has one that need repair, please contact me.
Steve Smith mailto:scs@dsr.us.net
================ DSR, Inc. 9111 Guilford Road Columbia, MD 21046, USA Phone: (301) 490-3500, (410) 792-4913 FAX: (301) 490-4146 mailto: dsr@us.net http://www.catalog.com/dsr
Why does DSR recommend Toshiba?
DSR, Inc has been selling Toshibas since they initiated the portable market with the T1100, the first really portable machine in mid-1986. We are often asked why we believe that Toshiba is the best. We have four reasons: Reliability, Service, Quality of the Product, and Quality of Toshiba as a company.
RELIABILITY This is the one factor that really makes Toshiba stand out, especially for the tough conditions that our customers experience in Africa and elsewhere overseas. We have seen four published reliability studies over the last nine years. In each Toshiba clearly rated the best: 1. In July 1991, Portable Office readers rated Toshiba the least likely to need repairs. Toshiba had an incidence rate of 30%; Compaq rated 60%; and Zenith 80%. 2. In March 1992, according to Computer Reseller News, 164+ computer resellers rated portable computer reliability to the Storyboard Channel Tracking Service/Infocorp. Toshiba rated highest at 29.0%; Compaq second at 20.8%; Everex rated third at 9.3%. 3. In September 1993, 366 respondents rated Toshiba highest to CMP Publications giving it a 17.8% reliability rating, compared to 12% for Compaq, 10.9% for IBM, 7.9% for AST, and 5.7% for Dell. 4. P C Computing in mid-1993 tested notebook computers with baking, freezing, coffee spilling, and dropping them. Only the Toshiba T4600, (which has Toshiba's standard case), survived all the tests without a scratch.
Also, twice over the last nine years, Consumer Reports has done analyses of portable computers. Reliability was a key factor in their summary ratings. Both times they recommended Toshiba computers as some of the best.
Furthermore, over the years, we've heard dozens of testimonials from individuals and institutional computer fleet managers, to the effect that Toshiba is the most long lasting, heartiest and reliable machine on the market. Several major missionary and development agencies that field hundreds of portable computers in Third World conditions have determined that Toshiba is the best for them.
SERVICE We feel that Toshiba service is the best of any portable computer manufacturer. DSR brings this service to you, and you can count on DSR to keep your Toshiba up and running as soon and as inexpensively as possible no matter where in the world you are. We promise one-business-day response to problem faxes, and can cross ship parts, or work via couriers for overseas customers, or generally be as flexible as possible to fit your service requirements.
In America, Toshiba supports 16 Premiere service centers (DSR is the 2nd largest) that offer free warranty service. DSR also provides free UPS ground domestic return shipping. Several other manufacturers offer similar service, but few back it up with the support the service centers need. Toshiba provides fast re-supply of parts, on-going support and training, and adequate warranty labor reimbursements. Toshiba's support allows us to deliver correct and timely repairs almost every time.
Toshiba's international warranty is as good as any there is. In 29 countries around the world, free warranty service is available to all registered Toshiba owners. IBM and Compaq also have warranty service overseas. Other brands have very limited service outside the USA for American-purchased machines.
DSR urges all Toshiba customers to submit the warranty registration to Toshiba as soon as possible. We strongly recommend the additional two years for all 2100 and 100 series and reconditioned machines ($199.95 for color and $139.95 for mono units). They will send back a sticker that is to be attached to the bottom of the computer and serves as proof of purchase. It also has the phone numbers of the Toshiba service sites in the 29 countries.
QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT There have been hundreds of ratings of notebook computers. Reviewers ratings are based on a variety of factors. Toshiba is almost always rated among the highest. If one could summarize 500 ratings over the last nine years, Toshiba would probably appear in the top few more often than any other brand of portable computer.
A couple brands: IBM, Compaq and perhaps another one or two; probably equal Toshiba in quality, but no brand is better.
QUALITY OF THE TOSHIBA COMPANY A key to selecting a portable computer is to purchase one from a company you can trust. Toshiba has been making portable computers longer than any other manufacturer. Toshiba only produces portable computers; it is their sole focus. Toshiba has been market leader in the USA almost every year since 1986 by a small margin. Compaq, IBM, NEC, Zenith and Apple have been close behind in various years. Overseas Toshiba is market leader by a much larger margin.
You can be assured that Toshiba will not go bankrupt and leave their computers unsupported. You can be assured that Toshiba will continue the investment in research and development to stay at the forefront of product quality. Toshiba has learned that top quality service to their customer base is central to repeat sales, and central to their continued excellence in the portable market. They are the largest portable manufacturer and plan to stay that way. 3/96