Re: want to buy laptop, lots to think about

Dell, Toshiba and some other MANUFACTURERS offer their own extended warranties. The manufacturer extended warranties, when available, are better than those offered by the stores in most cases. You have to buy them with the laptop (Dell) or within 30 days of getting the laptop (Toshiba). The manufacturers (or at least Dell and Toshiba) offer accidental damage protection (e.g. if you drop the laptop or spill a liquid into it), which the stores do not offer. However, not all of the manufactuers warranties have this coverage, you have to purchase a specific plan that includes this. In my experience, most laptop probems are caused by "accidents", so it's worth having. Best Buy's plan does cover batteries, which are normally excluded from most plans. For some users this may be a significant factor also.


surf wrote:

I went to circuit city, $300 for a 4 year warranty.

Kevin wrote:

"surf" <surfunbear@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1148251274.634411.221160@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I want to get a laptop so I can go wireless, mostly just for Perl type
development,
lerning Ruby, some Java, email and so on, looking for jobs online.

I looked at consumer reports, I think I should go with HP, Toshiba,
Compaq, or Sony.
I had heard ACER is good for linux, but why that is I have no idea.
CR says you should get an extended waranty since repairs are expensive,
but the guy at best buy says they start at around $250 which is 1/3 the
cost a laptop. I want to get something for around $700. Seems dubious
to spend so much on a waranty

If I install a linux partion, will that in anyway void the mfg 1 year
waranty ?

I heard sometimes the Norton Antivirus these come with comes up for
renewal a couple of months after you buy the machine. Is there a way I
can find out about that, or is that typical ?


I would not buy anything from Compaq. I would consider Dell, HP or Toshiba.
There are two schools of thought regarding extended warranties, especially
for electronic gear, including computers. One is that it is a good idea as
some repairs can be costly. The other, and one I agree with, is that they
are a serious money-maker for the dealers and offer little return on your
investment. In other words, they are a rip off.

The trial offers of anti-virus and other software that are installed on
computers are just what they say they are. They are trial offers. They
usually are 60 or 90 day offers. If you want the application to function
after the trial period, you have to buy it. Don't play that game. There
are free applications out there that are as good, if not better, than
products like Norton at protecting your system.

Dell currently has some great deals on laptops for under $700.00.



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