Computers by Brand Advice and Ratings

Choose a brand name computer that meets the needs of your business

By Jamie Belanger, Computer Technician & Marketing 1-800-905-GEEK (Geeks on Call)
One of the most difficult processes facing a business owner is comparing computer brand names and deciding which manufacturer or computer model to go with. With so many factors to consider, there is no shame in seeking outside assistance to help you make an informed, intelligent decision.

There are numerous resources available to you that can help you make the right choice for your business. The following resources will break down computers by brand advice and ratings:
  1. Visit popular consumer review platforms to read user reviews of brand name computers.
  2. Find the best information on brand computers at consumer report sites.
  3. Consult electronics review sites for information on brand computers.

 

Search for computers by brand on popular consumer review platforms

Consumer review platforms are a great source of unbiased advice on a variety of products. Because the sites themselves don't decide what is or isn't posted, you gain access to the unvarnished truth--reviews posted by business consumers like yourself that have nothing to lose by being brutally honest.
Try: Epinions.com allows you to find and compare name brand computers based on a number of different variables. You can search reviews of computers by brand, price, family line, optical drive type and installed RAM. Ciao.com, although a relatively new competitor to Epinions, has a robust, useful interface. From the computer review landing page, you can select which brand of laptop, desktop, tablet PC or server you would like to research. Once you select a brand, you can view your results by price, product rating, display size, installed RAM, hard drive capacity and popularity.

Find computers by brand on the best consumer report sites

As opposed to consumer review platforms, which are fueled by user reviews, consumer report sites rely primarily on their own in-house expert reviewers and internal testing processes. The most widely recognized and long-standing provider of this service is Consumer Reports. They have the largest independent consumer testing lab in the world.
Try: Consumer Reports, put out by the Consumer Union, allows you to choose reviews by both laptop computer brand and desktop computer name brands. The site does require a subscription fee of about 2 dollars a month for more than just basic advice. ConsumerSearch is a consumer report site analyzes product trends, developments and expert reviews to help you locate brand name computers for your office. They have an excellent overview of the best desktop computers, as well as the best budget desktop computers.

Visit technical review sites for more specific information on brand computers

Technical review sites can give you a different information angle when choosing a computer brand. Their expert reviews are usually people that work in the computer industry, and the reviews themselves can be more technically oriented. This might be just the ticket if you're trying to dial in on the specifics of a particular computer brand.
Try: CNET Reviews, hosted by CBS Interactive, specializes in electronics reviews. They have a hybrid review structure that showcases both expert reviews and user reviews. You can browse the laptop or desktop computer categories by manufacturer, price and other qualifiers like weight, screen size or processor speed. Personal Electronics Buzz is a social networking site for personal electronics enthusiasts. Join, share your opinions on electronics, and find the buzz on the different brand name computers you are interested in.