Consumer reports Articles on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Consumer Reports gives a thumbs up to the iPhone 4S

by Megan Lavey-Heaton (Nov 8th, 2011)

In a reversal of its panning of both the AT&T and Verizon models of the iPhone 4, Consumer Reports says it can recommend the iPhone 4S to consumers, saying that it doesn't suffer from either the reception problems that its predecessor did, nor from the reported battery woes that Apple is ...

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 ...

AnandTech research shows Verizon iPhone 4 'death grip' reports are overblown

by Chris Rawson (Mar 3rd, 2011)

Consumer Reports tested the Verizon iPhone 4 using the same methodology as the original GSM version, and with the same results: signal strength drops if the iPhone 4 is gripped in a certain fashion, commonly known as the "death grip." As a result of its testing, Consumer Reports decided it ...

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 ...

AT&T rated worst cell phone provider by Consumer Reports

by David Quilty (Dec 6th, 2010)

Remember when Consumer Reports couldn't recommend the iPhone 4? Well, now Consumer Reports has released the results of a satisfaction survey which shows that according to over 50,000 of their readers, AT&T is the lowest-scoring cell phone carrier in the United States. In fact, AT&T scored a ...

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 app 'not recommended'

by Mel Martin (Sep 17th, 2010)

You'd think that Consumer Reports, judges of all things good and bad in autos, electronics, frozen food, etc. (not to mention smartphones) could get its own app right. After a late August update, the free app has more crashes than a bad day at the Indy 500. Want to see the problem? Just tap on ...

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 ...

Chuck Schumer writes open letter to Steve Jobs

by Mike Schramm (Jul 16th, 2010)

Just in case you missed it yesterday, US Senator Chuck Schumer wrote an open letter to Steve Jobs asking him to deal with the ongoing iPhone 4 reception issues. "To address this concern," Schumer wrote, "I ask that Apple provide iPhone 4 customers with a clearly written explanation of the cause of ...

Consumer Reports: Apple's Bumper fixes iPhone 4 antenna issue

by Steven Sande (Jul 15th, 2010)

The organization's report stated that "With the Bumper fitted, we repeated the test procedure, placing a finger on the Bumper at the point at which it covers the gap below. The result was a negligible drop in signal strength - so slight that it would not have any effect, in our judgment." Consumer ...