Would You Like An Extended Warranty With That?
Should you buy an extended warranty with your laptop?You may not want to think about it now, but sooner or later,something is going to break down on your laptop. When ithappens, the big question will be who gets stuck with thebill, you or the manufacturer.The standard (standard in this case meaning free) warrantyon a new laptop typically runs anywhere from 90 days to ayear. That probably doesn't seem like much when you considerhow long you expect to own your laptop. What happens whenyour laptop poops out on the 91st day?First of all, even if your laptop only includes a 90-daywarranty (and assuming you've purchased a reputable brand-name system), the chances of your laptop dying on the 91stday are very, very slim.Manufacturers don't offer a 90-day warranty with theexpectation that their product will malfunction shortlythereafter. A shorter warranty is likely, at least in part,to be a marketing ploy to push you toward an extendedwarranty.All major laptop manufacturers offer a long menu of extendedwarranty options, each menu item with its own price tag.
Thetwo biggest components that factor into the cost of anextended warranty are duration and location.Through extended warranty, you typically have the option toextend the duration of the standard warranty from one tothree years. The first extra year is always the mostexpensive, with each subsequent year costing significantlyless. The longer the extended warranty, the better the deal.As for location, the least expensive extended warrantiesrequire you to ship your laptop (at your expense) to aremote repair facility. With the most deluxe extendedwarranty packages, a service technician will meet you atyour own front door to attempt the repairs. This type ofcoverage tends to be on the expensive side.At this point, you might decide to research manufacturerwebsites to determine their standard warranty policies.Don't bother, because most laptop manufacturers don't havestandard warranty polices.
Warranties vary from line to lineand product to product. Even with a particular model inmind, it's still going to take some digging.So how do you decide whether an extended warranty is rightfor you? Your best bet is to consider your anticipatedusage:If you're buying a laptop as a second computer foroccasional use when you need to travel, you can probablypass on the extended warranty and still feel relativelysafe.At the other extreme, if you use your laptop day in and dayout as your primary system, with half your life spent inairport terminals, you should consider adding as muchextended warranty as you possibly can. Fortunately, unlikeautomobile warranties, laptop warranties don't put anyrestriction on mileage..
Laptops Guide: Choosing a Laptop that is Right for You
Most of us tend to think of laptops in the same way: a fairly small portable computer that can open and close like a suitcase, with all of the capabilities of a desktop. In fact, the term "laptop" is really very generic. There are currently four main styles of these portable PCs, each offering something a bit different, depending upon your specific needs.Ultralights ? Also known as sub-notebooks or ultraportables, this style of laptop weighs up to ? but no more than ? four pounds, making them ideal for travelers. The upside of an ultralight is that it doesn't burden those who have to spend a lot of time carrying them with aching muscles, as its larger cousins often do. The downside, however, is that ? in order to cut down on the size and weight ? this type of laptop is so small that there's no room for a network card or internal CD drive.
In order to reap the benefits of these types of "attachments," you'd have to bring an external CD drive and port replicator. Another negative...
Laptops Guide: Choosing a Laptop that is Right for You
Laptop > Laptops Guide: Choosing a Laptop that is Right for You
Would You Like An Extended Warranty With That?
Should you buy an extended warranty with your laptop?You may not want to think about it now, but sooner or later,something is going to break down on your laptop. When ithappens, the big question will be who gets stuck with thebill, you or the manufacturer.The standard (standard in this case meaning free) warrantyon a new laptop typically runs anywhere from 90 days to ayear. That probably doesn't seem like much when you considerhow long you expect to own your laptop. What happens whenyour laptop poops out on the 91st day?First of all, even if your laptop only includes a 90-daywarranty (and assuming you've purchased a reputable brand-name system), the chances of your laptop dying on the 91stday are very, very slim.Manufacturers don't offer a 90-day warranty with theexpectation that their product will malfunction shortlythereafter. A shorter warranty is likely, at least in part,to be a marketing ploy to push you toward an extendedwarranty.All major laptop manufacturers offer a long menu...
Would You Like An Extended Warranty With That?
Laptop > Would You Like An Extended Warranty With That?
Traveler?s Laptops Targeted by Thieves
"Business traveler's laptops are often targeted by thieves," says Ted Demopoulos, president of Demopoulos Associates. When a laptop is stolen it is at a major inconvenience and if company confidential data gets into the wrong hands the results can be truly catastrophic.Most professionals travel at least occasionally and should take these simple steps to protect their laptop from physical theft.? Use a locking cable and perhaps an alarm for your laptop, available at any computer store.? Carry your laptop in something other than a laptop bag, for example a briefcase or backpack.? Try not to leave laptops in a car. This isn't always practical, but minimize it as much as practical. Never leave a laptop, laptop case, or briefcase in plain sight in a car.? Watch your laptop carefully in airports and train stations! Certainly do not put it in checked luggage. Do not ignore or leave it alone for even a few seconds.? Many laptops are stolen from businesses.
If you don't know if it's safe...
Traveler?s Laptops Targeted by Thieves
Laptop > Traveler?s Laptops Targeted by Thieves