2 or 3 year Warrantee for NP5796

I plan on using this laptop throughout college for approx 3.5 years. I don't plan on upgrading it. I really don't want to have to buy a new computer before the end of my college career b/c at that time I would like to build a desktop. I am not sure how problematic the Sager notebooks are.

So my question is, do you think I should purchase the 2 or 3 year warrantee for my preorder (NP5793) of the NP5796?

 

Not particularly problemmatic, although not problem-free, either. One way to gauge is to scroll through the various forums and count the number of different threads discussing a problem with the system, and then weight each thread by the number of posts, and each forum by the average number of participants viewing it, and that will give you a first-order approximation of the relative rate of problems of the Clevo/Sagers to other systems. Certainly, from what I hear, these systems have somewhat fewer problems than many of the comparable _Dells.

Also, a counter question to consider is, how adept are you at doing your own repair work (e.g., changing hdds, swapping out other internal components - the GPUs can be removed and replaced, upgrading RAM, etc)? Many of the components on these systems, including the components most likely to fail, are fairly easy to swap out, so even if something happened in the 3rd year, e.g., a hard drive failure, it wouldn't require you to replace the entire computer, just the failed component.

If you know what you're doing, then you'd probably be fine with the 2 year warranty, because after that, replacement components would probably be sufficiently lower in price that the risk-weighted net present value of the components most likely to fail and need replacement would be less than the cost of that additional 3rd year of warranty coverage. If you don't know what you're doing, then the additional labor cost that would have to be factored into the equation probably makes it about a 50/50 risk, in which case it would really depend on your appetite for risk.

 

I am experienced with desktops but I have never worked on a laptop. I assume if I read guides it shouldn't be too hard. I may just opt for the 2 year (or in my case 1 year + 1 year VISA extended warrantee)

 

I have own plenty of notebooks and desktops over the years. The average lifespan on them seem to be about 3-4 yrs. before they crash, in which time the technology would become near obsolete anyway that you would need an upgrade or a new system regardless. If you're one of those geeks that can fix your own system, replace a mobo, etc...then go for the least warranty available, like damage protection. If you're lazy, like me,because I have a full time career and just don't have the time to tinker with things, nor the patience, then get the full coverage warranty. It's worth it.

 

It also depends on what kind of person you are and how you typically take care of your things. If you're a spoiled rich brat, then you'll probably trash it before the second semester. If you have a fetish with ultra organization and keeping up with your stuff, then if there are no manufacturer's defect after a year, then you probably won't have any major problems for the next few years.

 

Also depends on your roomate. If he does not really seem like an organized guy or someone who is clumsy might want to upgrade that warranty once you get to college

 

If either you or your roomie is a serious danger to the continuing health of the computer, then you'll be wanting insurance, not a longer warranty - warranties only cover manufacturing defects, not damages from use (or misuse ). For that instance, I believe you can get insurance for a reasonable fee from safeware.com.

 

Warranty is good for peace of mind.

 

As I have said before...my granddaddy taught me that you should never make a bet you can't afford to lose. The real purpose of the extended warranty is to protect you against a major failure, like the motherboard or LCD, while at the same time covering the smaller losses like failed hard drive, optical drive, memory, CPU, or wireless cards. They also cover shipping costs both ways.

Extended warranties are great when you need them...and if you don't get one you are gambling you won't ever need it.