HP 2-year Care Package worth it?

Is the 2-year HP Care Package (accidental damage warranty/etc) worth it for $160USD?

How's the experience with HP as far as repairs/replacements go? I don't really feel like paying for the HP Care Package if I have to end up jumping through hoops with HP support to get my laptop repaired/fixed.

Dell also offers a similar warranty package that covers accidental damage and things like that. From what I heard, Dell gives pretty good customer support, and if your laptop is too badly damaged, then Dell will even send you a completely new laptop.

Anyone care to comment?

 

How much wear will you put your battery through? If you will be destroying the battery with many cycles, that alone may make it worth it. I have had to replace batteries after 1.5 years @$120

 

Will HP replace a worn battery after one year? Their site is full of disclaimers on "normal" battery wear.

I don't think $160 is worth it for two years of that coverage. I'd buy the cheaper two-year warranty that just covers hardware failure.

 

Batteries are not covered under it, it is marked under consumable. Batteries are under the basic 1 year warranty, no matter what warranty you got.

 

I work on HP computers all day long, Get the 4 year warranty. It is worth it, completely. Do you know how many Hard Drives I replace weekly??????? I do about 5 or 6 Hard Drive replacements under warranty a week at my job. Usually for the same machines...All bran new under the first year warranty!
I bought a Dv8 and got the 4 year warranty a year ago, and had to send it in twice so far.

 

Dont forget, if you buy with amex they extend manufacturer warranty for 1 year. Or atleast my amex card does.

 

Normally, I avoid extended warranties like the plague. But, I use my laptop constantly. I have had extended warranties for the last 3 laptops. Each one had at least 1 issue over the 3 years that my plans ran. Getting a repair done on any of those would have cost me more than the extended plan did. So, for laptops, i swear by them.

I did choose the accidental damage repair because I have two children. It has paid off when my first dumped his milk into one, and when the second pushed a newer laptop off the table and cracked the entire side of the case. Without kids, I MIGHT consider the non-accidental damage plan. Maybe.

Incidentally, though Falco is right that batteries are not covered, and was told so when I have called in a battery issue with them (aka not holding a charge longer than a few minutes). However, twice, when I have sent laptops in for other reasons, HP has replaced the defective battery at no charge. Can't guarantee that they would do the same for you, but maybe?

If you are concerned about it, I would go for it. It's really up to your risk aversion. Good luck on your decision.

 

Oh, and you asked how HP Support was. In every one of my cases for at least the last 10 years, it went like this.

Call HP. Get level 1 support. Sit on the phone with them for at least 45 minutes, most of the time just listening to air (I suspect that they are doing multiple calls, or perhaps an online chat with someone else). Or perhaps watching the latest Bollywood movie? After all that, they create a case, send you a fedex label. You pack it, and send it off to them.

They get it, fix it, send it back. Time has been about 8-10 days (but probably 4 days in their repair shop). I have always been satisfied with the repair itself. Not so much with call center.

Some of the new care packs list sending parts to your home, or having a tech visit. These are new options and I haven't had experience with them.