The Tech Companies We Don't Like

You may wish to avoid them as well

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Keywords:
bloatware, companies, products, quality, policies

Key Takeaway:
This is our list of companies & websites that Meyer Computer will not use for various reasons including junk products, privacy, security, scams, identity theft & more.

Category Insights:
OPINION — This article reflects personal experience and perspective on the topic.

BUYERS GUIDE — Buyer’s guides help you choose the right hardware and services.

Intro

This is our list of companies & websites that Meyer Computer will not use for various reasons including junk products, privacy, security, scams, identity theft & more. Some Chinese and Russian companies have been prohibited by the US Government from doing business in the United States. This list is subject to change and will be updated periodically.

Websites & Apps

Each of these has security concerns

• Alibaba.com - China
• AliExpress.com - China
• CapCut - China
• Shein.com - China
• Temu.com - China
• Wish.com - China
• Zoom - Reference Blog Post #91
• TikTok - terms agreement grants TikTok access to the entire device even when not using the app. Any device with TikTok should be considered compromised.

Manufacturers & Software Companies

• Adobe - (subscription products such as Creative Cloud) - The terms agreement grants Adobe use of your creations to train AI models. Some consider this IP theft.
• Acer - Low quality
• Acronis - Endless telemetry
• Alienware - Overpriced, very poor airflow which can lead to overheating and reduced performance.
• Apevia - Below average quality
• Apple - Horrible policies, over priced, anti right-to-repair
  Reference Blog Post #74
• AsiaHorse - China, quality concerns
• Avast! - Bloatware, Ads
  NOTE: Avast was sued by US Government for user privacy violations
• AVG - Bloatware, Ads
  Reference Blog Post #46
• Broadcom - Anti-Trust lawsuit, Ruined Symantec & VMWare after takeover
• Chuwi - China - The company was reportedly caught using older processors and modifying the firmware to make them appear to be newer models with updated specifications. This allowed older, less expensive hardware to be marketed as newer technology.
• DeepCool - China - US Ban
• DJI - China - US Ban on several product lines (especially drones)
• EaseUS - China (We've had very little luck with data recovery products)
• EKWB - Product quality and customer service issues, failure to pay employees
• Element - TV's that are designed to die
• HikVision - China
  These security cameras were used in Venezuela and easily hacked by the US to locate and capture President Maduro. Even the Chinese government is going after this company for poor security.
• Hisense - China
  Many China made televisions barely make it to the end of the warranty period.
• HP OMEN (Gaming Computers) - Overpriced, bad reviews, overheating due to poor ventilation, poor cable management
• Honey (browser plugin) - Stealing commissions from legitimate sellers & class action lawsuit
• Huawei - China - US Ban (no longer available in the US). Cellular equipment had backdoors allowing CCP full access to the devices.
• Insignia - Fail within 2 years
• Kaspersky - Russia - US Ban (no longer available in the US)
  Reference Blog Post #46
• LG - Selected LG monitors and televisions manufactured within the last three years may install additional software, including a McAfee trial, and may display advertisements on your computer or TV. Some models with built-in microphones may also collect audio from conversations that is converted to text and sent to LG to help provide targeted advertising. Even when the computer or television is offline, the microphone may continue collecting data. Once the device reconnects to the Internet, the collected information may be transmitted back to LG. This activity has been proven by security researchers using Wireshark and by analysis of the TV itself. Be careful what you say around an LG device. This has been a very HOT TOPIC within the IT community as LG televisions and monitors are often found in corporate conference rooms.
• McAfee - Bloatware, Ads
  Even the original creator of McAfee has distanced himself from the company due to its poor reputation.
  Reference Blog Post #46
• Medion - China/German
• Norton - Bloatware, Ads after acquisition by LifeLock
  Reference Blog Post #46
• Onn. - (Wal-mart store brand) China, Vietnam, poor quality
  Many China made televisions barely make it to the end of the warranty period.
• Phillips US - There are 2 Phillips companies. This one is junk and licensed to Funai. The other one is a premium brand.
• Razer (Blade Laptops) - Batteries fail, battery replacements are unavailable, bad keyboards and touchpads are common! The company doesn't stand behind their products.
• RCAThe original RCA is long gone. Now the name os licensed to various Chinese companies. Panel problems are common. No tech support.
• StarForge Systems - Poor tech support, the logo looks like a penis.
• Symantec - Ruined by Broadcom licensing policies
  Reference Blog Post #46
• TCL - China (class action lawsuit for data collection).
  Many China made televisions barely make it to the end of the warranty period.
• Toshiba - A name from the past. Now owned by HiSense. See HiSense above.
• TP-LINK - China - Potential US Ban. These routers are widely used in the US by Internet Service Providers.
• Vizio - Now owned by RCA. See RCA above.
• VMWare - Ruined by Broadcom licensing policies
• vSeeBox - Potential legal and ethical concerns because the device may provide access to copyrighted streaming content without proper authorization or licensing. This may eventually get shut down and potential fines levied against the worst offenders.
• ZTE - China - US Ban

Product Categories

• Chromebooks - Underpowered devices that are typically not upgradable.
• Robot vacuums - The FCC has banned all devices made outside the US due to security concerns.
• Routers - The FCC has banned all devices made outside the US due to security concerns.
  Reference Blog Post #97