Extended warranties

Hey everyone, I'm a college student looking for a basic laptop and I found one at best buy in my price range about $1000 (yay for tax refunds) and with pretty much everything I want. But buying a Best Buy extended warranties is expensive and from what I hear its hard to get them to honor them. Well, I called HP.shoping customer service and was told I can buy one through them, but which one? would it be better to change my one year warranty for a on year Accidental Covarage or is it better to buy a 2-year or 2-year program.

 

For get the extended warranty stuff, it is a ripoff to the customer and the biggest money maker for the seller. They have more loopholes to get out of paying off than yoou caan shake a stick at. The best thing to do is get a personal articles insurance policy. I have one on mine for about $39/year it has no deductible and everything except an act of war is covered. The added bonus is that if the notebook needs replacing, you can pick from any manufacturer or make of notebook. Since the personal articles policies cover pretty much anything, there is no fighting to get them to repair or replace the notebook.

Jack

 

Could you be more specific? What if a pixel goes dead on your notebook, I doubt that would be covered?! What about if you drop it and your screen breaks? Does that count as well?

I think it sounds like a fantastic idea though, I just question how it would actually work.

 

Thanks for the idea. What company do you personally use? Do you recommend them?

Thanks!

 

Hi mab45, if your notebook dies or has an electronic failure, then you need to use the maufacturer warranty which is usually 1-3 years. The manufacturers warranty amy seem short, but most electronic devices will fail in the 1st few months if they are going to fail(infant mortality)if they last that 1st year they will usually last a very long time. This does not apply to mechanical devices like hard drives, they wearout with use and will die in 3-5 years of use. The insurance covers theft, dropage, loss pretty much anything that is not diliberate. Even if you (Honestly) drive over it with a car, it will be covered. You could even take your notebook on a rafting trip and if it sinks or get wet and ruined, you will be covered. You have to remember, they will drop your coverage if this happens too much.

Jack

 

I use StateFarm Insurance.
The important thing is to make sure it is a personal articles policy, not a "rider" or "floater" that is attached to your home owners insurance. Doing that can result in a high deductible ($500-$1000) and if you were to make a claim, you could end up having them drop your homeowners insurance as a "high risk", then your really screwed.

Jack

 

Thanks for the idea, I got to talk to my parents about it. So I take it extended warranties are just a way for companys to make extra $$$. I don't plan on carrying it all the time, so i'm not to concerned about cracking the screen. But would like some protection just in case. I agree that most problems, if any, should occur right away.

If you had to choose one which one would you get? would get one year accidental coverarge or 2-years extended.

Thnx

 

2 more question? whats better, to config. at hp.shopping or pick it up at best buy. It seems you can fine one configured at a retail store sometimes cheaper than if you configured one yourself. And whats a good laptop in my price range about $1200, that will allow me to run programming and engineering software. I'm not really a pc gamer (love my modded xbox) and need it mostly for programming,office work, reports, and e-mail/web surfing.

 

I would go with the 2 year extended. You might also consider purchasing with AMEX, they give certain insurance benefits as well depending on the card type.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Check out both places and go with whichever gives you the better price for what you want. For me it was hp shopping, but for your computer/config/date of purchase best buy or circuit city may be cheaper, it all depends on what sales are going on where. There are several models that can be configured in that price range:
HP zx5000 | Compaq R3000T Dedicated
HP zv5000 | Compaq R3000T Shared
HP ze5000 | Compaq ???
HP ze4000 | Compaq 2100
Since your not big on gaming I would say prob the zv5000, its the same as the zx5000 minus large dedicated graphics. However I threw that in there since it is a possiblity.
Also, remember that since you are a student you can at least get a 6% discount from hp shopping.

zx5000 :: 2.4M :: 512 DDR :: 40gb 4200 RPM HD :: 15.4" :: Radeon 9600 Mobilty M10 :: Aquamark3 21,862

 

Thanks 'one, this answered a lot of my questions.I'm pretty good at building custom computers but, didn't want to make a mistake about buying a laptop, since I can't do the repairs my self.