June Consumer features the magazine's annual reliability survey, based on a random survey of subscribers.

Digital cameras get a very good rap. Overall, 93% of cameras up to five years old hadn't needed repair. Rated best are Canon, Fujifilm and Panasonic. Other major brands are rated average, with none rating worst.

So do MP3 players. Overall, 86% up to five years old hadn't needed repair. Sony is rated best, other brand average and none rated worst.

With DVD players/recorders, 92% hadn't needed repair. Rated best are Panasonic, Pioneer and Sony; rated average are LG, Philips, Samsung and Sanyo; and rated worst are DSE, JVC and Transonic (the mind-boggles at who would go to the trouble of subscribing to Consumer, then trundle off to the Warehouse to buy an ultra-budget brand).

The survey also covers TVs, washing machines, microwaves, fridge-freezers, dish washers and retailers' after-sales service.

Later in the June issue there's a survey on computer reliability. In desktops, Apple is rated number one, followed by Dell. NEC-owned Packard Bell trails the field.

In laptop reliability, the top three are Sony, NEC and Dell, with ASUS and IBM trailing the field (IBM's PC business is now owned by Lenovo).

Local heroes Ascent Technology win the after-sales service section of the survey, with the Warehouse last with a lousy, lousy rating ("Please hold for advice on Cellotaping your Transonic back together").

Read full results in the June edition of Consumer, or on its website (subscription required).