This support covers the system as well as all bundled software and peripherals. In the second group are steady performers that have had B's on at least the past two annual surveys. This group includes Apple Computer, Digital Equipment Corp., Gateway 2000, and Micron Electronics. The third group in our survey consists of first-time vendors. Here, Toshiba makes its debut with a grade of B. This is quite impressive, given the fact that the company began shipping its desktops only in September 1996.
All scores are average except for an above-average score for satisfaction with overall reliability.
Toshiba's buy-again score is also above average, but this does not count toward the grade. These companies are CompuAdd, Epson, Insight, and ZEOS, none of which has a market presence anymore. To earn a C, a vendor has to achieve average scores on all four key measures. Both receive C's. After two years at a B, NEC drops back to the C group as its recent-repairs score falls to average.