Laptop reviews: Reliability
Our annual survey of thousands of computer users reveals which computers are most – and least – reliable.
There is no stand-out brand when it comes to laptop reliability. All brands received an average reliability score in our survey.
| Laptop Which? reliability index | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Score |
| Acer |  |
| Apple | |
| Compaq | |
| Packard Bell | |
| Samsung | |
| Advent | |
| Asus | |
| Fujitsu-Siemens | |
| HP | |
| Medion | |
| Sony | |
| Lenovo | |
| Toshiba | |
| Dell | |
| Overall reliability | |
Your legal rights if your laptop breaks down
What to do if you're having problems with your new laptop.
Where to complain
The retailer is responsible for fixing or replacing a laptop that is not of satisfactory quality. It may say you have to take the problem to the manufacturer – this isn't true. If you prefer, you can ask the manufacturer to deal with the problem under its guarantee.
When to reject a faulty laptop
You're within your rights to reject goods that are faulty within a reasonable time period, typically three to four weeks.
Onus of proof
If your laptop goes wrong within the first six months, the onus is on the retailer to prove that this isn't the result of any misuse on your part. So it’s best to contact the retailer straightaway if you think something’s wrong with your laptop.
Even if your laptop has a minor fault, this may get worse over time or be an indicator of more serious problems to come.
Get assessed
If you have problems with your laptop after six months, and the seller isn't being cooperative, you may need to prove the laptop is faulty. The easiest way to do this is to take it to a reputable local computer shop for a professional assessment – this will cost around £35.
Outside of warranty
The law states that goods must last a reasonable amount of time. The warranty for your laptop may last only a year or two, but if you have a problem after three or even four years, and you wouldn’t reasonably expect to have that problem, it’s worth pursuing.
Expect to pay for the laptop to be repaired and then try to claim this back from the retailer – you may have to take it to the small claims court.
