Square Wheels Posted December 25, 2019 Share #1 Posted December 25, 2019 I know these are almost always a rip off. I bought an expensive laptop in February. They are offering several levels of warranty including all inclusive, we come to you even if you spill something in it. They range from 79 for the cheapest plan to 159 for 4 years top of the line in home, next day service. What do I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #2 Posted December 25, 2019 I’ve heard some people say it can be worth it for laptops. Definitely a rip-off for a good car though. I just buy cheap laptops since they go obsolete in a few years anyhoo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #3 Posted December 25, 2019 Laptops are a PITA to work on. If I bought a laptop I'd probably get an extended warranty. Not sure which one though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted December 25, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted December 25, 2019 Just now, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: I just buy cheap laptops since they go obsolete in a few years anyhoo. I bought a super duper top of the line Dell about 15 years ago. I will become obsolete next Wednesday when Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7. I don't mind spending a lot and keeping it for 10 or so years. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Far Posted December 25, 2019 Share #5 Posted December 25, 2019 You’re buying peace of mind. That last one I bought (1994, new vehicle) was b/c I was traveling a lot, had 2 young young’uns & it came with a rental/ loaner. It paid for itself the first time the AC failed & I made a “profit” the second time the AC failed. IIRC, it had the new type of Freon & there was a material compatibility issue. FWIW, I’d skip the add-on warranty. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #6 Posted December 25, 2019 24 minutes ago, Square Wheels said: I bought a super duper top of the line Dell about 15 years ago. I will become obsolete next Wednesday when Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7. I don't mind spending a lot and keeping it for 10 or so years. So it started as XP and made it to 7? You could try for 10, or if not, it would make a great Linux machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #7 Posted December 25, 2019 They offer extended warranties to make a profit - not out of the kindness of their heart. I do not get them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted December 25, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted December 25, 2019 31 minutes ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: You could try for 10, or if not, it would make a great Linux machine. Nope, the video driver cannot be upgraded. Do you want it? I've never used Linux and don't want to start now. 4 minutes ago, JerrySTL said: They offer extended warranties to make a profit - not out of the kindness of their heart. I do not get them. Understood, but there is nothing on this that is user serviceable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #9 Posted December 25, 2019 36 minutes ago, Square Wheels said: Understood, but there is nothing on this that is user serviceable. You need a new pedal wrench for Christmas. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted December 25, 2019 Share #10 Posted December 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Square Wheels said: I will become obsolete next Wednesday That sucks. 2 hours ago, Square Wheels said: It will become obsolete next Wednesday when Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7. According to Microsoft, you can continue to use Windows 7. Just no more updates. I intend to stick with my 7 machine a while longer. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted December 25, 2019 Share #11 Posted December 25, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted December 25, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted December 25, 2019 18 minutes ago, Road Runner said: That sucks. 19 minutes ago, Road Runner said: According to Microsoft, you can continue to use Windows 7. Just no more updates. I intend to stick with my 7 machine a while longer. Understood, but it's a 15 year old, 10+ pound laptop, with no security updates available. My kids all have laptops, so I can't imagine needing it. I will send it to anyone who will put it to use. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted December 25, 2019 Share #13 Posted December 25, 2019 I plan to buy something new in the next year or so. I'm just not going to panic and run out and immediately replace my current desktop just because there will be no more updates to 7. I usually get a new security update about once every month or two. I'm thinking that for at least 6 months or so, things should still be fine. I also think avoiding the big rush to replace 7 machines that is going on right now might be smart. Then again, I could be wrong. I guess we will see. I plan to back up any files that are important and if I get invaded with viruses, so be it. I sincerely doubt that will happen, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted December 25, 2019 Share #14 Posted December 25, 2019 Buy the nice warranty and use it as a coaster or a pillow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #15 Posted December 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Square Wheels said: Nope, the video driver cannot be upgraded. Do you want it? I've never used Linux and don't want to start now. Understood, but there is nothing on this that is user serviceable. Sure, I'll take it! Thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #16 Posted December 25, 2019 The concept of extended warranty is actuarial in nature. they make a profit selling which means they pay out less than they take in. For you it means that your chances of needing it are less than your chances of not needing it. If you are one of the lucky (unlucky?) one's who needs it then it was probably a good deal. If you don't need it then you could give your money to me instead. At least I will care if something doesn't happen to your laptop. In fact, if something doesn't happen to your laptop during the covered period I'll give you back 1/3rd of your money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted December 25, 2019 Author Share #17 Posted December 25, 2019 23 minutes ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: Sure, I'll take it! Thanks! PM your name and address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groupw Posted December 25, 2019 Share #18 Posted December 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Road Runner said: I plan to buy something new in the next year or so. I'm just not going to panic and run out and immediately replace my current desktop just because there will be no more updates to 7. I usually get a new security update about once every month or two. I'm thinking that for at least 6 months or so, things should still be fine. I also think avoiding the big rush to replace 7 machines that is going on right now might be smart. Then again, I could be wrong. I guess we will see. I plan to back up any files that are important and if I get invaded with viruses, so be it. I sincerely doubt that will happen, though. It will be a progressive death. I expect them to move more swiftly in shutting it off than with XP. The first thing to die will be Internet Explorer. Web developers still write for IE (especially government and financial institutions) despite all the security holes. Even though it is still on Win 10, I think the end of Win7 will call their hand. Google will follow suit simply because they are helping develop then next gen Edge browser. Software development will fade away as well. If you use standalone Office products, I think you will be ok for a while. I think Office 365 will move quickly beyond Win7. Quickbooks, etc will not support Win7 in their updates unless you buy their Enterprise versions. I expect the same with printers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickinMD ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #19 Posted December 25, 2019 5 hours ago, Square Wheels said: I know these are almost always a rip off. I bought an expensive laptop in February. They are offering several levels of warranty including all inclusive, we come to you even if you spill something in it. They range from 79 for the cheapest plan to 159 for 4 years top of the line in home, next day service. What do I do? What percentage of the laptop price does the warranty cost represent? In 4-years, would you still want that laptop or would you want to apply the $159 toward a new, up-to-date one? My rule of thumb for appliances is I'll consider it if it's less than 1/7 the price or I'm likely to break it. Otherwise, not getting warranties means I'm likely to have a larger pool of money to pay for anything that does break that what I'm likely to spend on warranties for all. I got a 55" Samsung Smart 1080p HD TV in July, 2015 when it dropped from $1200+ to $649 (including a $150 Costco coupon). Costco doubles manufacturer's warranties, so I automatically had 2 years and I was offered an additional 3-years of an all-inclusive warranty for around $50. I grabbed it because it was less than 1/10 the TV's price, I expected to keep it for a decade or more, and because I could see myself knocking it over by accident. I've got half a year more before the warranty runs out and, by that time, I can get TV's that are smarter and 4K for the price I paid in 2015 for HD. But the picture is SO good I hope it lasts a lot longer! On the other hand, I got a refurbished (passed back through the assembly line, looks-like-new) HP 17.3" laptop for $519 (Walmart online carries them at great prices) that has Win 10, a full-sized keyboard, a quad-core 3.4 GHz processor, 12 GB RAM, 2000 GB HD, and all the usual bells-and-whistles. The extended warranty was around $100. If the laptop dies in a few years, I think I'd rather get a newer, improved, refurbished one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted December 25, 2019 Author Share #20 Posted December 25, 2019 1 hour ago, MickinMD said: What percentage of the laptop price does the warranty cost represent? Less than 10%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #21 Posted December 25, 2019 I love that Mick can always be counted on for a thoughtful answer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #22 Posted December 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Airehead said: I love that Mick can always be counted on for a thoughtful answer. Good thing sw doesn’t pay him by the word! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted December 25, 2019 Share #23 Posted December 25, 2019 SW, A man of your means has no business buying warranties. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted December 26, 2019 Author Share #24 Posted December 26, 2019 33 minutes ago, Wilbur said: SW, A man of your means has no business buying warranties. I can be cheap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted December 26, 2019 Share #25 Posted December 26, 2019 5 minutes ago, Square Wheels said: I can be cheap. Buying extended warranties isn't what cheap people do. I know because I have never bought one and I am the epitome of cheapness. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted December 26, 2019 Share #26 Posted December 26, 2019 11 hours ago, Square Wheels said: I bought a super duper top of the line Dell about 15 years ago. I will become obsolete next Wednesday when Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7. I don't mind spending a lot and keeping it for 10 or so years. Your work doesn’t buy you a laptop every few years? I used to get $ to spend for professional development, I bought a Mac book of two. Then they removed computers from the allowed purchase list, so I stopped buying laptops. Then they gave me a laptop, so I can do whatever I want with the $ now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted December 26, 2019 Author Share #27 Posted December 26, 2019 10 hours ago, Prophet Zacharia said: Your work doesn’t buy you a laptop every few years? For the first time they are going to. It will be a business style though, in other words, not worried about resolution, touch screen or weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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