ConsumerReports Articles on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Apple comes out on top in Consumer Reports tech support ratings

by Michael Grothaus (Apr 30th, 2013)

Consumer Reports has announced that Apple has come out on top again -- and bested its previous score -- in providing consumer tech support to its users. The company scored far higher than the other big companies for the elements that make for successful online and phone support: ease of ...

Consumer Reports ranks iPhone 5 below several Android phones

by Michael Grothaus (Jan 7th, 2013)

Consumer Reports hasn't been kind to the iPhone in previous years and 2013 seems to be no different. BusinessInsider has clipped a graphic that shows Consumer Report's smartphone rankings that are to be published in its February issue. As you can see from the clipping, the iPhone 5 has come in ...

AT&T declared worst wireless service by Consumer Reports

by Dave Caolo (Nov 30th, 2012)

Consumer Reports has published its ranking of cell carriers and AT&T is dead last. The publication surveyed 60,000 cell phone subscribers about their experiences. Unfortunately for AT&T, it did not win a single category. Its overall score was 62 out of 100. The carrier has been crowned ...

Consumer Reports: iPhone 5 is "best iPhone yet"

by Steven Sande (Oct 5th, 2012)

If Siri on an iPhone 5 had feelings, it would probably be channeling Sally Field right now and shouting "I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!" Consumer Reports, the magazine that would not recommend the iPhone 4 just two short years ago, is now calling the iPhone 5 ...

Consumer Reports likes iPhone 5

by Dave Caolo (Sep 28th, 2012)

Consumer Reports has posted its initial review of the iPhone 5, and it's mostly positive. Testers liked the display, calling it "crisp and bright," as well as LTE connectivity, noting that the iPhone 5 downloaded web pages faster than previous models. The complaints shouldn't be a surprise to ...

Consumer Reports puts iPad at top of the list, despite heat issue

by Kelly Hodgkins (Apr 2nd, 2012)

A few weeks ago, Consumer Reports caused a stir when it claimed the new iPad ran twelve degrees hotter than its predecessor and reached 116 degrees. Now the consumer watchdog company is back to say the heat problem is not a cause for concern. Consumer Reports acknowledges the iPad gets warm, ...

MacBooks get highest score in all Consumer Reports categories

by Chris Rawson (May 25th, 2011)

According to The Loop, Consumer Reports has rated Apple's MacBook line as the top computer in every laptop category. The 11-inch MacBook Air took the top score for small laptops, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro dominated its category, taking the top five of seven spots. Apple's 15-inch and 17-inch ...

Consumer Reports ranks iPad top among tablets

by Dana Franklin (Apr 5th, 2011)

Apple's iPad 2 is king of the tablets according to a comparative review released by Consumer Reports (CR) today. The publication's lab evaluated 10 of the "most-promising" tablet devices from Apple, Archos, Dell, Motorola, Samsung and ViewSonic. The 32 GB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi plus 3G (US$729) scored ...

Consumer Reports Digital Edition for iPad not recommended

by Mel Martin (Mar 1st, 2011)

Consumer Reports has kind of a spotty reputation with Apple fans. They've liked most Mac desktops and laptops, but the magazine famously dissed the AT&T iPhone 4 and, just last week, trashed the Verizon iPhone 4 as well. Back in September of 2010, Consumer Reports put out a helpful, but ...

Ouch! Consumer Reports slams the Verizon iPhone 4

by Mel Martin (Feb 25th, 2011)

Not the most breathtaking revelation, but Consumer Reports won't put the Verizon iPhone 4 on its list of recommended smartphones. The Verizon iPhone joins the AT&T model in earning the ad-free publication's lack of enthusiasm. The problems cited are the same as those that led to the ...

Consumer Reports optimistic about Verizon iPhone

by Steven Sande (Feb 8th, 2011)

Remember those warm summer days last year when the iPhone 4 was fresh from the Apple tree, and Consumer Reports said it couldn't recommend the smartphone because of the "grip of death" reception issues? Well, now that the Verizon iPhone is hitting the streets, the famous consumer advocacy and ...

Consumer Reports loves MacBook Air

by Dave Caolo (Nov 10th, 2010)

Consumer Reports (CR) is in love with all models of the MacBook Air. In the publication's most recent ranking of notebooks and netbooks, the MacBook Air received top rankings and the coveted "recommended" status. The 11.6-inch MacBook Air topped the list of 11-inch laptops (don't get excited, ...

Consumer Reports' Mobile Shopper a mixed bag

by Mel Martin (Oct 19th, 2010)

This is the second foray into iPhone territory by Consumer Reports. The first app pretty much duplicated the currently-available online content, and was free. This second app, called Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper is US $9.99, and puts the impeccable brand and product reviews in a more iOS-specific ...

Nation rejoices as Consumer Reports fixes crashing iPhone app

by Mel Martin (Sep 30th, 2010)

It took about a month but now you can fearlessly click on some of the news headings in the free Consumer Reports app and not have it crash. A couple of weeks ago we reported that the app was unstable after an iOS 4 update. As weeks went by, the app was not updated and had more crashes and explosions ...

Consumer Reports still a 'thumbs down' on iPhone 4

by Mel Martin (Jul 16th, 2010)

Not a big surprise really, but Consumer Reports still says that even with a free case, the iPhone 4 is a no-go to get a recommendation from the giant consumer testing firm. Last week CR created a furor when it said the iPhone was the best smart phone it had tested, but didn't meet its standards for ...