Why you need onsite warranties when buying a computer or notebook – laptop PC

Choice Computer, an Australian IT magazine has just published an excellent article “Test Multimedia Laptops” , which I found very useful and interesting. For those that do not know, Choice is an organization that conducts independent tests on products and services. They are renowned for being impartial and accurate.

The article “Test Multimedia Laptops”; is very thorough and includes a Dell laptop as one of the top recommendations. Personally I thought that the article did not place enough emphasis on the on-site warranty available with only 2 (which included the Dell) of the 9 laptops on test and have written to the magazines accordingly. My email appears below.

PS: I thoroughly recommend subscribing to “Choice”; and the magazine Computer Choice.

To: Choice Computer

Hello,

I have been a subscriber to Computer Choice for some time – it is one of my favorite IT mags.

I enjoyed your article: Test Multimedia Laptops, however I think that the Onsite Warranty should have been highlighted as a key feature, and not simply included only as a features table item in your article.

My reasons are as follows:

A working Laptop is of course critically important. Besides the inconvenience of a breakdown, there can be a lack of access to key data (perhaps that day’s work that has not yet been backed up for example). A situation where time and costs have to be incurred to get the laptop to the repairer, and then having to wait for repairs; with a final trip to collect the device once working again is in my view unacceptable, as is pick up and return and the associated courier management. The costs of this can be very high, especially when the value of time and lost productivity is factored in.

With the best will in the world and the use of the best quality components and manufacturing practice, laptops will still breakdown. I have a number of Dell laptops and one recently developed serious problems with the motherboard. A technician arrived on-site the next day and replaced the faulty board. I really appreciated the prompt, efficient service which was so convenient and besides, it also meant that my sensitive client data did not have to leave my office. Considering that the on-site warranty was included in the purchase price my Dell turned out to be a very wise buy. The technician was high level – very knowledgeable, competent and a former manager of an IT store – another reassuring factor.

Simply speaking, when considering the purchase of a computer we should ask ourselves: Can I guarantee that none of the internal components will break down, even if I do buy the world’s best machine? Of course not. So, how much do I value ease and speed of repair, along with confidentiality.

It seems to me that an on-site warranty is in fact one of the major considerations when purchasing a computer/laptop.

Sincerely,

Alex Webley

Business & Corporate Consulting

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Tags: Computers, Shopping

Category: Computers