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flcouple2009 -> Laptop (2/9/2011 5:18:53 AM)
So last Christmas Eve (2009) on a whim I bought a laptop for the family. I picked up a Dell, but I paid more than I would have ordering it off the web site. What I did get were several options I wouldn't have paid for including the extended warranty and the in home service. While the laptop has been OK it just never seemed right. I actually have been disappointed with several things. It's always been really hot with the fan running almost constantly. It's given occasional error messages on start up but yet when you run the diagnostic everything comes back fine. There were a couple of other occasional quirks that seemed to center around the machine running hot at times. A few weeks back it seems one of the memory sticks died. Then the computer just wouldn't turn on at all. So on the phone I go with Dell. Funny thing, remember that "in home warranty service" I wouldn't have bought? The Dell tech and I talk for a few minutes and he tells me they are gonna send someone to replace the motherboard and ram. About 10:30 the next morning I get a call from a local tech who tells me he has my parts and wants to schedule the repair. By 2 he's been to the house switched out the parts and gone his merry way. The computer, you ask? It no longer runs like an easy bake oven. The fan only occasionally kicks on and generally behaves like a completely different machine. While it was never "broken" it never was "right" either. I guess the motherboard had issues from the start. This is the first time I've ever been happy with the laptop. I have to say Dell's service was excellent. I no longer regret getting "stuck" with the in house service option when I bought.

Termyn8or -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 6:40:02 AM)
Friend of mine bought a Dell years ago. He was PC illiterate and they helped him on the phone but didn't actually have to come out. However he did mention that if he didn't have the coverage tech support would be very expensive. (after the first year IIRC) I guess you get what yo pay for. I wish I had coverage on my Gateways, but I got them so cheap what should I expect ? I couldn't pass them up, they have everything I can think of, a big display and a full keyboard. I remember having coverage on my cellphone back when they cost $$$. It got dumped in the sink and died. I didn't even think something like that was covered, but it was. Another good thing to have the best possible coverage on is flat TVs. The parts prices for those things are astronomical. Cars too, as complex as they are now, long waranties are a very good thing to have. T^T

flcouple2009 -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 7:09:36 AM)
I hear ya Term. Had I ordered the laptop straight from Dell I would never had added the in house service. I really wasn't thinking any differently about the laptop than the other computers here I build and keep up. Without that service it would have been a couple of weeks to ship it back, get it fixed, and returned. Instead it was just over 24 hours from the time it crashed till it was repaired. I wanted the laptop that day so I grumbled but paid the extra and in the end it saved me a lot of trouble.

MercTech -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 12:06:49 PM)
I prefer their "executive exchange service" option. You call, they send new computer, you swap hard drives, you send the old one back. Stefan

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 12:12:22 PM)
I'm glad you had a good experience with their service department. I'll never buy a Dell again. Might feel differently if I'd bought the warranty though [:D]

LaTigresse -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 12:38:42 PM)
I've always had great luck with Dell. Two lap tops, and three PCs.

Aynne88 -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 12:50:48 PM)
Yep me too LaT. Our two office PC's are Dell's, and my laptop is an HP, never a problem, but my man's is a Dell, same thing. My sister cheaped out and bought a frigging Acer. Nothing but problems.

ShaharThorne -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 12:51:06 PM)
This computer that I am on is a Dell from 8 years ago. We added a new HD, new graphics card, more memory and We did not use the tech support on it. Alexis is a good sub when it comes to these things. The one I got at home is a 1yo HP with WIN7. No problems unless I am DLing a large file and my satellite service slows down for 24 hours. I got my mother addicted to Club Pogo. If only I can figure out how to dump the cookies...

mnottertail -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 12:52:23 PM)
Get Cleanup! from stephenjgould.org. Fuck demo mode, lose it and run it for real every night.

NocturnalStalker -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 2:56:43 PM)
I absolutely hate Gateway. Their computers never last longer than a year before experiencing major technical difficulties. One thing some people may not be aware of is when purchasing a new laptop from any retail store is sometimes they will attempt to scam you by convincing that even though the advertised laptop comes with an OS already, the people at the store will insist it will cost extra to install it. Alternatively they may claim the need to install programs such as Microsoft Word as well.

JstAnotherSub -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 4:08:34 PM)
I just bought a Dell, but it replaced an Gateway that was 10 years old. I kept anti virus and always cleaned the disc and defragged regularly. It never had trouble, except once, and they coached me through the fix on the phone. I would have purchased another Gateway, but I got too good of a discount on the Dell through work. I hope it turns out to be as good!

WinsomeDefiance -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 4:17:01 PM)
In all fairness to Dell, it was a beautiful laptop and ran perfectly - until I let my sons on it. Then the fan went wonky and I was very disappointed that the motherboard died after only 3 years.

Politesub53 -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 4:31:10 PM)
I recently bought a new washing machine and asked the salesman his view on an extended warranty. He said the three things he always gets the warranty on is his large flat screen, his lap top and his washing machine. My coverage includes damage done by myself, as well as the maching breaking down. They will also swap old for new if unrepairable, brilliant news since I got mine in the January sales. For anyone in the UK this was with Comet.

MasterG2kTR -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 4:47:29 PM)
Having had experience with Dell, I can say their (contracted) service and support is second to none. Their service agreements are worth the price (one of very few that I would even consider buying). While it amounts to no more than an insurance policy, even minor problems can make it pay for itself. Like Termy said, if ya gotta pay for the support buy the call (or hour or....??) it can get real expensive in a hurry.

TheHeretic -> RE: Laptop (2/9/2011 9:48:57 PM)
Mine is a... well... I have no flippin idea. A friend built it for me out of old parts, and told me to get with the 21st Century. At one point, I was given a laptop that I never really liked, but it quit working, and I pulled this back out of the closet. The customer support isn't bad at all. I drive it over to the next valley, buy beer, bring it back with replacement old parts. The fan is loud, but I can live with that.

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