Question:
Extended Warranty?
I want to see what most would recommend. Naturally I do not want to spend the extra cash on a warranty. Remember that this is DELL I'm talking about, so when answering keep in mind their service and rep.
:dell:
Answer:
Re: Extended Warranty?
I think that the amount of warranty depends on your usuage and your expected lifetime out of the laptop.
If you are a heavy user and like to have the newest technology, I wouldn't go with anything over 2 years. Most problems will occur within the first year, and if anything happens after your 2 year warranty is up, then you'll probably want to buy a new laptop anyways.
For me, I planned on buying a new laptop around 2 years after I got my 9300, so I didn't go with a higher warranty. I got the 2 year-at home with accidental coverage (i'm clumsy), and for the most part, my warranty has been pretty good. Dell has always offered to send a tech out to my house and fix, but i'm rarely home, so for me it is easier for them to send the part and I do the repair myself -- it takes alot of convincing the techs for me to do that.
Answer:
Re: Extended Warranty?
I want to see what most would recommend. Naturally I do not want to spend the extra cash on a warranty. Remember that this is DELL I'm talking about, so when answering keep in mind their service and rep.
:dell:
Though my laptop isn't a Dell, I've had several Dell desktops over the years. This post is being typed on a machine over four years old and still blazing away. :D
Dell's machines are fine, IMO, though it's service could stand improvement. Personally, I'd pass on the extended warranty, but understand why some folks think having one is the best idea.
Answer:
Re: Extended Warranty?
With the service problems of Dell, I would go with the 3-year (if you don't think you will replace it before) AT HOME service.
I assume like other companies they contact with a technogy company like I've had with other products. I have had nothing but praise for them when needed on other business machines and you don't have to send anything back.
To me the price is very worth it especially just one service call probably costs them as much as what they charge for 3 years.
Answer:
Re: Extended Warranty?
It depends on how comfortable you feel lugging a machine that pricey around without some sort of insurance. It's certainly expensive enough to warrant considering accidental damage protection; the question is how likely you are to destroy it.
Answer:
Re: Extended Warranty?
I think the warranty totally depends on the price of the laptop. For example I got a loaded XPS M140 for around $700 I'm not going to pay $250 for a 4 year warranty. I will just stick with the 1 year warranty. But if I purchased something like a XPS M170 maxed out at around 4k, I would definitely get a 4 year warranty, and a 3-4 year accident protection plan.
Answer:
Re: Extended Warranty?
I want to see what most would recommend. Naturally I do not want to spend the extra cash on a warranty. Remember that this is DELL I'm talking about, so when answering keep in mind their service and rep.
:dell:
A suggestion only. Go for "1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr Mail-In Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support [Included in Price]". See how they handle your upcoming incidents and purchased product.
If you like the way Dell handle any incidents you bring up to them within 1 year.. it's easy to extend the support and services.
That's what I did. My purchase includes
- 1 year plus phone support
- 1 year completecover programme
- 1 year next business day onsite response
I've brought one incident so far and I'm pleased with the result. I plan to extend the above after 6 months or so. I will monitor their dell coupons or promotional services.
Answer:
Re: Extended Warranty?
I purchased a B130, not a very expensive machine. However, I really don't plan on replacing it for as long as I can use it. I've noticed I use it only occasionally, maybe 10 hours total use in the two months since I received it. Dell sent me an offer to upgrade the warranty, an additional 2 years, upgrade to at-home service (3 year total warranty) for $160. The computer cost me $590 total, and an additional $60-something for a 6-cell battery later on. With $650 into in, I felt the $160 and 2 years extra at-home were worth the peace of mind. In a couple of other large purchases, the extended warranty has saved me from big expenses, and I wouldn't want to spend the money for another computer after a year. From stories I read here and on the Dell forums, some of these repairs can be extremely expensive, many needing repairs after the one-year has expired.
I agree that most problems happen very soon into the purchase, but with $500 motherboards and displays, I didn't want to risk it. If it was a desktop, I wouldn't have upped the coverage, as those repairs I'm comfortable doing myself, at a better price than Dell would charge. Besides, for a dozen years I've built my own desktops. I can't build a notebook.
With what I perceive to be a degrading of Dell's quality over the years (I remember when the name Dell was premium in a computer) and the obvious company method of putting in just acceptable, not premium, parts into their machines, I took out the warranty. If I keep the computer, I've got 3 years not to worry, much.
Also, should I decide I'm not using it enough and decide to sell it, the extra warranty should make a buyer for it more comfortable in his purchase, a good selling point. So, to me, the $160 for 3 years was a gamble in protecting my wallet instead of the possibility of having to drop another $650-$700 to replace a broken computer a year or 18 months down the line.
Answer:
Re: Extended Warranty?
Dell sent me an offer to upgrade the warranty, an additional 2 years, upgrade to at-home service (3 year total warranty) for $160.
I just ordered my laptop yesterday and did not buy the upgraded warranty. Are you saying they will offer me an upgraded warranty? If they do I'd seriously consider it.... as long as the offer came in after next payday ;) .
Answer:
Re: Extended Warranty?
I just ordered my laptop yesterday and did not buy the upgraded warranty. Are you saying they will offer me an upgraded warranty? If they do I'd seriously consider it.... as long as the offer came in after next payday ;) .
Hello,
Yes, I got a letter from Dell about a month after I received the notebook. They said it was a "one time" offer (which I doubted, but it was a reminder). I had so many days to respond to the offer. It was a regular price, sale price of $210, $50 rebate bringing it down to $160. So, watch your mail from Dell.