Computer Hardware Reviews, Who do YOU believe ?

[Richard_Cranium72]

I read more reviews and user opinions on Computer products than the average street person.

On a particular item, the Canon S600 Printer, I'm confused, to say the least.

CNet Gives it an "Editors Choice" as the No.1 printer-> http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-2375165-418-5529028.html?pn=1&lb=2&ob=0&tag=st.co.2375165.top.5529028-1

Yet 22% of "User Reviews" are disgusted with the product, what gives ?
Bad batch, spotty quality, whining owners, poor review, I don't know.

User Comments->>

"I found the quality of this mediocre at best. The plain text output quality is terrible on both plain paper and high resolution paper, contrary to what the review said"

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gifMy Favorite Comment->>
"Anyone who throws money away on a Canon printer should not be allowed to own a computer. The rival products put forth by HP and Epson are so far superior that I'm surprised that Canon even still gets shelf space at retailers."

"I have owned 2 Canon inkjet printers now---After a not too long time, both printers stopped feeding paper properly. It works sometimes, but I am often up having to re-adjust the paper stack or hand feed the sheets one at a time.I will never buy another Canon again"

"The reliability is the same as that of past canons because I am at 3 weeks and 12 cartridges and having a failed printer that keeps jamming. Canon is jabbing me on tech support saying that I pushed the printer too hard. I kinda told them why make it fast if it can't handle it."

"grainy photos and soft graphics"
Got s600 4 days ago.Used glossy photo paper but not Canon Pro and got easily visible dots. On greeting card stock I got soft graphics and text--looks cheesy. Got NO satisfaction from tech support. Am returning it tomorrow to try HP 952"

"I bought this printer, based on CNET reviews. The quality of the photo prints is LOUSY!! I printed the same pictures on my HP932C, using the same computer. There was a BIG difference; HP was much sharper and better quality all around! I am taking this one back to the store, TODAY"

"The Cnet review is wrong. I am taking mine back tommorrow."

"Very poor print quality"

"It is miserable"
Terrible printer with terrible ink quality."

"Dissapointing"

"there is no way this is a "photo quality printer". I tried myself and with the help of cannon tech. support to get photo quality results, no luck. It just cannot do it!!! ---I returned my cannon unit after a week and bought the HP 952C. The picture quality is UNREAL!!!! It is slower but I can wait a few second more (about 30% longer)for quality. It actually cost ten dollars less. I wanted to write this because I looked at the previous reviews and they influenced me into getting the cannon S600. I'm not sure what they were writing about? Comparing photos printed out on my HP 952C to the ones I still have from my Canon, it is a joke. "

[Yar1182]

I give no credence to cnet. They give everyone and their brother a good review. Products that I know are stink get 7's.

The two reviews I actually pay any attention to are MaximumPC magazine and Fresh Gear (Tech TV). They have no problems slamming a product if it sucks. Of the products that scored highly which I have purchased, I've been very satisfied.

[Bovon]

If at all possible, I try to find someone that has reviewed a product, that they bought just for testing and reviewing. These people that get theirs from the factory, hand picked and given several to choose from certainly are gonna give a better review.

Case in point. Back in January, when the KT7a was the board to get, I was all cocked and primed to order me one...that is, til I ran across a review from a guy that didn't owe Abit anything. He told it like it was, and cited other instances of failures. Not long after that, other reviewers were kinda (tongue in cheek) saying some of the same things.

Many of the complaints were due to Abits non customer service, and sub standard quality control. I see some changes in these from users sence January...except customer service still stinks according to many users.

I don't usually believe the reviewers, unless they have a track record that tells us that they are not indebted to the manufacturer.

[This message has been edited by Bovon (edited 07-18-2001).]

[LiLRiceBoi]

I usually read a couple different reviews to get other peoples opinions. I dont know who to trust anymore...

[daveleau]

Well, it is my view that the only printer worth owning is an HP. Noone makes one as durable, and now their print and eficiency are unsurpassable.

As for reviews, I usually look for user reviews and several hardware site reviews before making my decision. If I get conflicts, then....

Dave

[Bovon]

HP dosn't make their printers, they rebag somebody elses, or so I have been told...and part of this comes from my daughter who bought a HP printer...and when she had a problem, called them..they gave her a phone number to call that wasn't HP.

[alphageek]

Cnet writes reviews for the crowd that is running an eMachine and signed up for four years of MSN.

[eagle1]

I have to agree with people that CNET is not the best source for reviews.!! Other "not too recognized" websites do better!!!
**hint hint** .!

[Yar1182]

As far as printer go it's pretty much HP and Epson. I got a old epson dot matrix form 85 that is still banging it out. Along with a HP lazerjet and Epson bubblejet.

[Dputiger]

I've got to agree on the "Don't trust CNET" front. Here's some good sites for reviews:
www.anandtech.com (http://www.anandtech.com) www.tomshardware.com (http://www.tomshardware.com) www.hardocp.com (http://www.hardocp.com) www.amdzone.com (http://www.amdzone.com) (obviously pro-AMD)

There's a few. Honestly, on the specific ABIT issue someone mentioned, I actually remember MOST reviews mentioning ABIT's history of bad customer service.

however, that said, I have built no fewer then six systems on ABIT motherboards and never seen an issue. Granted, six is not six hundred or six thousand, but the oldest of these machines is almost a year old, and the owner reports he's quite pleased.