HP extended service plans

I am planning on buying the HP dv6000t from hp.com, and i am customizing it to my needs. Here is what im planning on getting:

HP Pavilion dv6000t customizable Notebook PC
EZ829AV

* – FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center!!
* – Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5200 (1.60 GHz)
* – 15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)
* – 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7400
* – HP Imprint Finish + Microphone + Webcam
* – 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* – DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
* – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Microsoft(R) Works/Money
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

After tax, it ends up to be about $1100, which is my limit. Do you think that is a good buy?

But, i didnt put in any service plans. Do you think that i need to get a 1-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with Express Repair extended service plan???
Is it worth it? Do i need it?

-MATT

 

Worth is relative, as is need. If you feel that you can't be without the nb for an extended length of time while it's repaired and/or you're concerned about a drop or spill taking out your baby, then by all means get it. Only you can decide if piece of mind is worth the extra money.

Before you decide though, check to see if your parents homeowners insurance covers notebooks. You may get off cheaper that way. You'll also be covered if someone steals it, something that won't happen with the HP plan.

 

so hp will repair it if it breaks, and so i dont have to buy that then right? cool! and ill ask to see if their insurance covers it, im very sure that it dosent though... :/

 

i checked and it dosent cover anything dealing with notebooks...

 

Have your parents contact their agent or the company directly. While they may not currently have such protection, they may be able to add it to their plan for less than what HP wants.

I suggest you read the service agreement before getting the pack. It explains in detail what is and what is not covered. The link is here. Just select "Accidental Damage Protection" and from the drop-down box, select "With Express Pick-Up and Return"

http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/338708-0-0-225-121.html?jumpid=ex_R602_go/consumerterms

HP's marketing crap is here:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...Type&v1=1-year&product_code=U4822A&catLevel=2

One last thing. Make sure you understand that this coverage does not add an additional year of coverage to your existing factory warranty, it supplants it. You will still only have a 1 year warranty, albeit with more covered.

 

i can see your not a very big HP fan...

I dont really want to read all of that stuff.... one reason is cuz the laptop that im on right now will take like 5 minutes to open a pdf file... and i currently HATE this notebook....

so y do u hate HP?

 

Actually I don't. I have a DV6000Z and think it's just fine and I've not had a bad experience with HP's CSRs to date. I just dislike marketing sludge. In that respect HP is no different from any other company selling goods to consumers.

 

ok good
if im looking to spend $1100 or less including tax and everything, do you think the dv6000t is a good choice?
What about toshiba? What about asus?

 

I would guess that you could get it for less than the 1100 you've mentioned, though how much less depends on how well you shop around. Peruse WANA's thread on buying nb's at Costco (just don't rule out Sam's), get some feedback from the Toshiba and Asus forums, then check the web for cut-rate deals.

And yes, I think the DV6000T is a good choice, but others may think differently...

Fill out this questionnaire and create a new thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=29271

 

just a fast suggestion. Looks like a great config but if it is in your budget switch to a single 1gb memory module or just a single 512mb module and then buy a 3rd party module or two.

If you originally order with both slots full you will lose 512mb if you add a 1gb module later on.

 

Something to add wrt the warranty. If you use a credit card you might want to check to see if the card automatically doubles the warranty. Some cards do that so the basic one year HP warranty becomes a two year deal. I know there are limits but many folks forget about that. Also not all cards offer it on notebooks if I remember when I read about it...but it's worth looking into for sure...

 

Be careful.

From Crucial regarding DDR2 systems:

http://www.crucial.com/kb/answer.asp?qid=3629

 

very interesting...seems like some systems are back to the needing to add memory in pairs mode. Or worse was the add memory in filled banks which was up to 4 modules per bank...ick!

Very good tip though...

 

Or matching CPU's for multiprocessor systems. Ain't progress grand?

 

thanks for the advice everyone! sorry i havent been responding.... i have been very busy...
anyways, i have already filled out the faq, my topic is found here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=95122

And i dont think i know how to install more ram...

so right now im either looking at the Dell Inspirion e1505 or the hp dv600t ... you can get more for you money with a dell, buy the hp looks better....
what do you guys think?

 

There's a Laptop Deals section on this site that you may want to visit. In addition, check out bensbargains.net, techbargains.com and fatwallet.com (hit the forums section also) among others.

At the rate the prices are dropping for what you want, you'll get away with spending less than $800 for sure.

 

hmmmm... ok i tried looking at those site, i cant find any dell inspirion coupons that have not already expired... also i found hp coupons, i dont know where to put in the coupon code...

 

Here's a link for 20% off the price of an E1505 configured to $999.00 or more.

http://www.notebookreview.com/dellCoupon.asp

There may be better ones out there though, so keep looking.

The coupon code is added during checkout.

Also, keep in mind grump3b's advice on credit card extended warranties.

 

Be careful with the Credit Card warranty. It only covers the same things a "normal" warranty does. They do NOT cover accidents.

 

im not doing anything with the credit card coverage thingy...
and that coupon that you gave me is one of the many coupons that have expired...

 

Like I said, keep looking...

 

Here is a link for a Warranty Guide someone did here. It's quite a good summary of the whole thing. It's specially informative on the area of credit card based warranty extensions and how they do have a hidden gottcha if you are not observant to the details.


spatial:

I had forgotten about the matched cpu thing for the old way to get dual core processing. I actually tried it once for a client and well, it technically worked but never seemed really stable even though it was fast as all get out...then anyway...do ya ever feel really old and like this biz passes ya by in your sleep??

 

Every friggin' day guy.