Buying a laptop is easy. But buying one that lasts? Not so much!
When you’re comparing processor, RAM, and graphics card, it’s easy to miss what actually counts - brand reliability! The overall brand repo matters a lot when your hard-earned thousand bucks are at stake.
After all, it’s the history of good and bad reviews that make up brand reputation. Now, it’s worth noting that no brand is completely immune to defects and flaws. But despite the flaws, some have lower returns and repairs.
So in this blog, we’ll take you through the five notebook brands that fail the most considering repair and return insights. We’ll also mention ways to make the device last longer, so stick till the end.
Top 5 Laptop Brands & Models With High Returns
Not every laptop brand has the same reliability record. Based on user complaints and reviews, we’ve shortlisted the top 5 brands (and models) that you should look out for.
TUXEDO
This German laptop brand is built around the Linux ecosystem and has a pretty loyal following. Overall, TUXEDO enjoys a positive reputation, but customer reviews never lie. Trustpilot is loaded with some 450+ reviews on hardware incompatibility issues. For a lot of customers, the build seems absolutely fantastic at first, but the machines have reliability issues.
For example, there have been multiple reports of early SSD failure that have resulted in permanent data loss. Some customers have reported the notebooks keep freezing, while the fans run at full speed even when the device is sitting idle. Certain keyboards have stopped working randomly, and the replacements weren’t covered by the company.
What’s even more disturbing is the customer and after-sales support. The customer support becoming less helpful after the end of the warranty period is highly unprofessional. There are also complaints that users had to pay upfront, and only then would the company inspect or repair the devices.
Sony VAIO
VAIO is Sony’s notebook division in Japan that is known for its sleek designs and vibrant displays. These notebooks are often compared with the premium MacBooks and Windows laptops. Now, apparently, these devices look super appealing with their thin and lightweight builds and innovative 2-in-1 convertible options. But the on-and-off hardware issues have made this brand a red flag.
Starting off with the SZ series. The Core Duo 1 looks like a real gem from the outside, but the speakers have poor audio quality. This device also doesn't have a multiformat card reader, which is a serious drawback considering the hefty price tag. Similarly, there’s the Pro 13 with the flimsy keyboard that really gives away under pressure.
Another common return complaint is that the fans seem faulty, but in reality they’re just extremely loud. Also, the lid’s rear edge may dig into your leg. So yeah, VAIO’s aesthetics come with a flawed design.
Google Chromebooks
Google’s Chromebooks have faced a lot of backlash over the years. Some say it’s not Google’s domain, while others shrug it off as negative publicity. Now usually, a notebook brand fails because of hardware issues, but Chromebooks are notoriously infamous for software issues as well. Again, we’re talking about some Chromebooks, not all of them.
The Acer Chromebook 311, for starters, has some serious screen complaints. People are not happy with the display and visual quality. Guess that’s what you get when you buy an 11.6-inch screen with a 1366x768 resolution. Also, there are thick bezels framing the screen, which reduce the screen-to-body ratio.
Another reason why users don’t like Chromebooks is that they run ChromeOS. So, it’s not really possible to install software like Photoshop, AutoCAD, and other business apps. Also, ChromeOS has limited offline capabilities, which affects the overall computing experience. So even if we don’t consider the repair and return rate, the dissatisfaction is pretty high.
MSI
In general, the Taiwanese notebook brands enjoy a decent reputation among gamers thanks to their powerful gaming hardware. However, its two budget models - GF66 and Katana, have reportedly been bashed by users and critics. And the main argument against these apparently powerful notebooks is overheating (the same old classic).
Now, for the MSI GF66, the temperature is said to be around 94°C to 98°C. Mind you, the average temperature range for gaming notebooks is 75°C to 80°C. Any device that goes beyond 95°C is going to hit the hardware. And that’s the case with the GF66; it experiences screen stutters and lagging like crazy.
As for Katana, the overheating is a bit less brutal (with occasional 90 °C thermal spikes), but the thermal throttle is real. The customer service support has got mixed reviews, though. For some users, the staff was polite, attentive, and professional. For others, it’s a tiringly unresponsive process.
Gateway
This American brand was once Walmart’s very own bargain-bin hero. It manufactured entry-level notebooks that targeted students, everyday users, and professionals with light workflows. Now, given the low price tags, it’s obvious that the makers are cutting costs. And it shows in the construction that’s all flimsy and plasticky.
The Ultra Slim GWTN156-1 has been a frequent cause of repair and return complaints. According to some users, this model is unreliable and cannot function for long when unplugged. Some other users say that it is super slow and refreshes and disconnects more often than you’d expect.
The same goes for the GWTN141. Its overall performance is pretty solid for the price, but the touchpad is imprecise, and the fingerprint reader is pretty much hit or miss. But that’s not the whole story; Gateway’s customer service is barely existent. This is why Gateway laptops are no longer relevant like they used to be.
Basic Tips To Make Any Laptop Last Longer
Whatever brand you own, some issues are universal. The simple tips mentioned below can extend the lifespan of your device, cutting down repair and upgrade costs.
- Heat is one of the biggest enemies of your notebook, so keep it on a flat, hard surface to prevent the air vents from getting blocked.
- Don’t keep your device 100% charged, as it leads to battery wear. Charge to 80% and use battery saver mode so that the battery lasts longer.
- Dust can destroy your cooling system. Blow compressed air through the vents on the base of your device every few months.
- Leaving the device running for weeks can lead to sluggish performance. So always shut down your device and restart it when the performance feels compromised.
- Many notebooks end up in repair shops because of broken hinges. Always open the lid from the centre rather than one corner to reduce stress.
Final Word
At the end of the day, no brand is perfect. There will always be some model that acts as a stain on the shiny reputation of the company. Sometimes these repair complaints will be recurring, and that’s where the problem arises. If a brand doesn’t work on the complaints, it doesn’t care about its users.
So, instead of judging a device based on the logo alone, dig deeper! Look at the specific model, read reviews, and swear by consumer discussion platforms. The brands we’ve mentioned above aren’t necessarily bad. But the models we’ve mentioned are definitely problematic, so beware!
