Are Warranties worth it?

Basically title, wondering if warranty (+ accident) are worth paying for from various companies or do you just go with the stock 1 yr?

 

Depends on the laptop you buy. Business class manufacturers extended warranty and accidental damage coverage, I'd say yes.

 

I bought my XPS1730M with 4y of service back then, and man, what luck that I chose that option! The system had to be repaired at least 25 times during 4 years, mostly because the graphics-card had a faulty design that caused them to get destructed over time. The mainboard also got exchanged several times, DVD-Writer at least one or two times, Harddisk one time... I was a VERY heavy poweruser back then, but it was also the Notebook that just had bad luck with some components being really fragile. If I would have needed to pay for all of that, I could have bought myself 5 new notebooks .

Next I bought the AWM17xR4 I currently have, and because I had high trust in the Notebook and was a little low on money when buying it, I only took it with 1y of service. Instantly regretted it in the 2nd year with the Cardreader failing and the repair costing something like 200€, because they also exchanged the palm-rest and the keyboard. For that money, I could have easily gotten 3y of service, so if my notebook fails in the next year, I'd pass what 3y of service would have costed. Anyhow, the AW-M17xR4 really is multiple times better constructed than the older XPS, 1 defect in 2 years is like a dream to me after what I went through with the XPS.

So I'd advise you to pick the longest service you can get, Notebooks sometimes just develop faults, even without a faulty design, because we're basically using high-end-technology that is not really hard enough, to survive a mobile life yet. I don't know anybody, who didn't have at least 1 defect with his notebook in a timeframe of 4y, and 1 defect can very well be the cost of 3-4y of service.

Accidental coverage imo isn't needed. Just train yourself, not to park the coffee directly besides the notebook but 1m away ^^ .

 

I think it also depends on the company. Dell from personal experience has the best warranty support I've ever dealt with. I've had several warranty claims with Dell and all of them were resolved fairly and timely.

 

Don't forget credit cards can double the warranty up to 1 year. Some premium cards will do up to 2 years.

 

I would certainly recommend it for Apple products since most everything on their machines is not user replaceable. Keep in mind, though, that AppleCare does not cover accidental damage on computers (it does on iPhone, iPad, etc). Because of this, I purchased a personal items policy through my homeowner's insurance. It's something like $35/year and covers damage, fire, theft, etc.

 

It's like pet insurance (Or health insurance if it isn't state funded...). Sure there may be no problems but when they do crop up it's never a cheap fix. If you don't have the funds then it's another matter but if it's worthwhile (And certainly on newer systems) if you can.

 

no. if you got more than your money's worth by buying a warranty, how would the company make money on them? (on average)

 

It's really a toss-up.

The way I thnk about it is this: If the laptop dies after 1 year (standard warranty), would I rather have the same laptop, or would I want to use that as an opportunity to get a new one?

If you think you would want the same laptop, then buy the warranty. If you'd rather use that opportunity to buy a different laptop, then roll the dice and run that laptop into the ground.

 

It depends on how long you plan on keeping the computer as well as how you treat the system. If you take the computer with you everywhere, then it may be advisable to purchase an extended warranty, especially if that extended warranty includes accidental damage. I personally don't get extended warranties, though I might get one for my Surface Pro 3.

 

I think replacement warranties are worth it for gaming laptops. The extended Sager Replacement Warranty is definitely worth $199 for 3 years. However, companies like Dell have streamlined support for all of their products. The Alienware "Premium Brand" receives the same support an Inspiron does. It doesn't make sense to me. They also charge OBSCENE amounts of money for their warranty. So, that's no longer worth what it once was.

TL;DR: Depends on what you get for the price.

 

Take the money you would spend on the warranty, put it in a savings account. If you ever need a repair, take money from that account. Do this with everything you would normally buy a warranty or insurance for. Your savings account will accumulate cash in the exact same way Dell or an insurance company would.

 

Where the sum in question will earn whopping 2% a year if lucky...

That's really not the point of warranties - from a buyer's perspective - IMO. If one's system is used for productivity purposes and downtime can't be afforded, then the NBD warranties from the big three (Dell, HP, Lenovo) are well-worth it. Buying an extended warranty for a toy on other hand is not something I'd advise.

My $0.02 only...

 

I would say alot depends on the Laptop your getting and what you plan to use it for?
Here what one might think...
1.How long do I plan to keep it
2. What environment will it be used in-Gaming will be more demanding
3. What does the fine Print in ACP or extended warranty really cover and how long - not what you think it covers
3a. Some retailers have their own Extended warranty they also offer - so look carefully what does it really cover and how long
4. How much or what tiers are the plans they offer and for what models are they available for - always read the FINE print

 

Please stop making making investment posts if you are not qualified for it. Or better yet, go hang yourself for this.

Your post is the stupidest post I have seem on here. Most banks dont even give you 1%ARP on your money.

Put your money in saving account, hahaaha no mames wey

 

It's not about making money on interest, it's about not giving money to the insurance company by buying a warranty with them.

 

@Seanwhat's post is completely reasonable for the topic of this thread -- regardless of whether one agrees with the suggested approach or not. @yotano21 is correct, of course, that savings accounts provide little interest; but as mentioned, that was not the point of the suggestion. Either way, a perfectly acceptable debate.

What is NOT acceptable on NBR, is calling other members stupid and telling them to go hang themselves -- no matter how much one disagrees with their suggestions. Our Forum Rules are quite clear on that:

Consider this a warning. Now please carry on with the thread topic.

 

Gaming machines are less likely to benefit from extended warranty. As many get replaced or upgraded within a few years and most such machines tend to be recreational. Machines used for working or creative purposes do need extended coverage with next business day and accidental damage coverage. And college students also need the same level of warranty even on their gaming machines if used for coursework. Anyone with motor control issues or who is clumsy this coverage is also necessary.

 

Generally, I don't buy extended warranties for any consumer-class product I buy since 1) I can automatically double the warranty (up to 2 years total) on one of my credit cards and 2) consumer-class stuff is designed to be disposable, so I wouldn't waste money on warranties because of that. For serious stuff, I buy business-class which either automatically gives you a great warranty (iirc Dell business still does 3 year NBD by default? Or not anymore?) or have cheap and meaningful warranty upgrades (NBD and/or accidental).

Wow, what the hell is wrong with you? Didn't get enough hugs as a child....?

 

It all depends on the warranty and cost. If it's $300 for a $3000 laptop, and the significant components (i.e. motherboard, CPU, GPU, etc) cost more than that $300, it's worth the peace of mind. Sure your system may not need it, but if you do, you're well ahead of the curve. It's just a balance of risk. As an example, Sager notebooks have a three year warranty for $300, and a GPU will cost at least twice that with a good risk of failure within three years. Would I pay $600 for that same warranty? Hell no.

I tend to weigh it, and 90% of the time warranties to me don't make sense, but sometimes they do. And while I don't have any solid numbers to back it up, I'd say less than 20% of people actually make use of those warranties (whatever that warranty is), so that's a 5 to 1 return.

In any case there's no definite yes or no answer, all depends on the laptop, laptop cost, warranty cost, and hate to say it, a user's "bad luck".

 

I think warranties are worth it for high-end gaming systems, business machines, and workstations because the warranty costs less than the more expensive parts would cost to replace. Also, accidental coverage is essential when buying warranties because it prevents a company from deciding component failure is the user's fault and not covering it.

But for inexpensive systems where the warranty is half or more of the system price, it's probably better to take your chances and get another system if yours breaks.

 

***Slight Necro***

After having my MSI Gt70 die recently and outside of global warranty (Still in US warranty but I live in Aus) I could not help but to extend my warranty on my new Clevo.
I took care of that GT70. It sat stationed on a dock for 99% of its life and was only portable a handful of times. And it still died...

It only takes one lemon for a consumer to be cautious and purchase extended warranty for their next machine. Metabox here in Aus is definitely worth it at $149 AUD for 3 year on-site pickup warranty. ($107 USD)