Dell vs Apple: which brand is more reliable?

Dell and Apple are level by our formula: both Generally good, with the same recall count and owner satisfaction. The comparison uses CPSC recalls, Amazon owner ratings, court records and company records.

Side by side

DellApple
VerdictGenerally goodGenerally good
CPSC recalls, last 3 years00
CPSC recalls, all years118
Most recent recall2019-02-06: Dell Recalls Hybrid Power Adapters Sold with Power Banks Due to Shock Hazard2019-06-27: Apple Recalls 15-Inch MacBook Pro Laptop Computers Due to Fire Hazard
Owner satisfaction (Amazon)MediumMedium
Product lawsuits on recordNone foundNone found
Company behind the brandDell TechnologiesApple Inc. (no parent company on record)
Trademark owner (USPTO)Dell Inc. (Delaware, USA)Apple Inc. (California, USA)
Made in (recalled products)China 6, Japan 5, Taiwan 1, Thailand 1 (of 10 recalls listing a country)China 6, Taiwan 3, Japan 1 (of 7 recalls listing a country)
Customer serviceNot verified yetOfficial support page

Recall counts are not adjusted for sales volume. How the verdict works

Shop Dell and Apple on Amazon

Computers & Accessories

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FAQ

Is Dell better than Apple?

Dell and Apple are level by our formula: both Generally good, with the same recall count and owner satisfaction.

Which has more recalls, Dell or Apple?

In the last 3 years the CPSC lists 0 for Dell and 0 for Apple; across all years, 11 and 8.

Are Dell and Apple the same company?

No shared owner on record: Dell trademark owner Dell Inc. (Delaware, USA), Apple trademark owner Apple Inc. (California, USA).

Facts checked 2026-10-16.

How the verdict works

One formula for every brand, built from public records. We do not test products.

Owner satisfaction

Ratings of the brand's most-rated products on Amazon. High: weighted average of at least 4.5 and no more than 10% of products below 4.0. Medium: at least 4.2 and no more than 30%. Low: everything else.

Safety record

CPSC recalls in the last 36 months: none is Clean, one or two is Some, three or more is Frequent. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Owners / SafetyCleanSomeFrequent
HighReliableGenerally goodMixed
MediumGenerally goodMixedUse caution
LowMixedUse cautionUse caution

Full methodology