General HP support experiences?

I'm buying a new laptop and I'm pretty sure I've settled on HP's nx9420. I looked through the various forum topics for anything about service/warrantees, but seeing as most people only post when something goes wrong, I thought I'd make a new thread.

This is going to be my only computer, and I don't intend on replacing it for ~2 years so I'm hesitant to buy without upgrading the warranty.

To anybody who has had to make use of their warranty, was it decent service? Worth an extra $119 to get 3 years instead of 1? (Also I don't travel internationally, at least not in situations where I need my notebook - in reference to the thread on that topic)

 

With the price of batteries and replacement parts you'd honestly be a fool to not pay a mere $119 for 3 years of coverage.

 

Well I have just one year warranty on my Compaq v4000t. I think if you care for your laptop and don't drink stuff near it or drop it you will be fine with one year. Just my opinion though.
Tim

 

I called HP for them to fix my dv8000t. When they sent it to me, the battery part was ****ed up and wouldn't lock in place. I called them up and they told me FedEx will be at my door tomarrow providing a box and they pay for the shipping and everything. Was pretty happy about it

 

I always though HP support was decent.

 

I've had very good experience with HP support, even including follow up calls by QC people to make sure I was satisfied. Regarding buying support, I respectfully disagree about buying extra coverage. I bought my machine using a gold Mastercard, thus doubling the standard 1 year warranty, so I got two years coverage at no extra cost. I put a $15.00 rider on my homeowners (could be done with renters insurance as well) to get accident / damage insurance...which also covers complete replacement cost even it the machine falls off my boat and can't be recovered.

 

Like any support experience, you have to run through the protocol with a service tech online or by phone. It is a frustrating experience if you know a bit about computers and you know exactly what is wrong, but that's a necessary evil in support. After my good experiences (and the need to use the warranty service at all), I'm going to upgrade my original 1 year to 3 years on my dv4000.

Unlike some experiences a friend has had with Gateway, HP didn't hesitate to say, "we'll send FedEx by to pick up the computer and overnight it to the service center." [MUCH better than Gateway repeatedly sending replacement hard drives to a completely non-technical young woman and telling her to install them.] I first sent it in over Christmas for a fan issue, and that took 10 days, but I think that was because of the holiday. When I sent it in again after frying my graphics processor it shipped on a Friday and was back at my door Tuesday morning.

I know that if something is going to go wrong with a computer it usually happens in the first 3 months, but an extra hundred bucks for 2 more years of service seems really cheap to me. Plus, my graphics chip problem happened after 4 months, so this computer has already broken that old saw.