Is Extended Warranty Worth It?

I usually stick with the free one-year warranty. Here's my reasoning:

1) I'm usually ready to upgrade after a year

2) I know the value of my computer will drop more than 50% after a year, so the additional protection would be a significant percentage of that depreciated value

3) Most problems will show up in the first few months

4) There are very few parts that can "wear out" on a computer, and those that do, like the hard disk and battery can be replaced for less than the additional warranty cost

Of course, Dell knows that people are willing to pay for peace of mind, and warranties are probably a huge profit center for them, but knowing all this doesn't help you if your LCD craps out after 1 year

Another approach is to get married, get identical laptops for both you and your spouse, and get the extended warranty for one of them....

This thread reminded me to check into something. Somebody somewhere on some forum had the brilliant suggestion to ask your insurance company if they offered something like Dell's "complete care." I just got confirmation from my insurance company that for $2 per $100 of value, I can cover my computers against any accident or theft with no deductible. For me, that turns out to be a better deal than Dell offers.

Well things can happen, and ive heard stories that if u hadproblems and they can't solve, they'll give u a brand new laptop

2 years ago my gf bought a dell inspiron 1100 and she didn't want to pay the extra money to buy the warranty so she didn't. Well 11 months went by and nothing was wrong with her laptop, then like the next day she started having heat problems with it and it would turn off just randomly. So she called dell and told them it had an overheating problem and they sent out a new laptop within a few days. But say this happen just a month later she would be stuck without a laptop that worked and be out $900 that she paid for hers. So anytime i've bought a laptop i always add in the extended warranty into the price on each one i buy. Because you never know if you decide you really like the machine and want to keep it forever. Or if you want to sell it after a year it gives the person you are selling it to a little comfort that the machine won't have a problem and also adds on a few bucks to what u can sell it for if it does have the extended warranty. Back in october b4 i bought my 700m i had a toshiba laptop with the 3 year accidental coverage on it, and the guy said he wouldn't have bought the laptop if it only had 6 months of warranty left so.....IMO it's always a good safety net to get the warranty just in case you may keep the laptop for several years or you want to sell it and get a little more than what you would without it.

I always get the 3 year warranty even though I only keep laptops for 1 to 2 years. I have a number of reasons. First I use my laptop with my business so any issue need to be addressed quickly. Second I always get a very loaded laptop – typically paying 3 – 5 K with the extra warranty. Considering how much money I am dropping I figure spending a relatively small percentage on the extended warranty is worth it. Third laptops by their very nature will be more abused than desktops – so they are more prone to failure. Because they are portable people take them on airplanes, cars, to a friends house, etc. so they inevitably get bumped and banged around. Fourth laptops are much harder to self-service than a desktop since some of the parts are harder to reach and they are not as interchangeable as desktop parts. And finally when you go to sell your laptop it seems reasonable that your will have a better chance to get more money for it if there is a transferable warranty remaining.

If your credit card will double the warranty up to a year, then I would not get the warranty. For the people who buy a laptop once per year, wow you must be rich

You have no idea

C'mon, how much is a new laptop? $1200? That's $100/month if you buy a new one each year. Not much more than a cell phone, and a lot more fun

Notebooks, Desktops, PDAs, Cell Phones anything older than 1-2 years gets replaced, not because I need a new one, I just get the itch for the latest and greatest. I also do not purchase extended warranties, I almost never run into problems, and it gives me a good excuse to buy a new computer, if it breaks which really does not happen to me.

The only warranty I did purchase was an exchange warranty for Ipaqs, I broke 2 of them and was able to upgrade to the newer units.

The cost is neglagable and the benefit of two additional years of warranty is great, I have had my 8600 for a year now and have not had a single problem but the fact I have 2 more years of warranty really makes me be at ease, so if I have any problems its covered....also if you decide to sell yours after a year or 2 it will make it easier since you can let the buyer know its still under warranty.....

Specs 8600 1.7
128Nvidia 5650FxGo
768Mb 333DDR
60Gig Hd
15.4 WSXGA+
1300 Wireless
4xDVDR+RW

Well, i normally dont agree with warranties since i worked with best buy but seeing that dell has an incredible offer. 3 years complete care in other words bumper to bumper. so if for that extra 350 $ you have a piece of mind. and part and labor no matter the cause. And with the warranty you have the option to upgrade parts on the laptop and only pay the difference.

So pay a little more and get a hole lot bigger in return. And you never know things always happend at the end of the warranty agreement


Beholder

is there any way to add a longer warranty to a laptop you previously bought? i recently bought mine a few months ago, and kinda wish i got more than just the 1yr warranty.

yeah i am wondering if i could possible extend my 1 year warranty to possibly 3...
if i remember right Dell approaches some people w/ the offer...

yah i bought my 700m without the extended warranty then later bought it within 45 days and i just got the 3 year mail in service for $169, but if you are over 45 days it costs something like $70 more than if u were to get it within those 45 days.

here is a link to do it online....

http://www.dell.com/html/us/segments...rm.html?~ck=mn

A new laptop on average is $1500, well that is a new and decent laptop, which would not be the fastest. Thats alot to spend each year, at least for my poor soul My laptop is about 4 years old, i8100. I am looking to buy something soon, unfortunately no one is offering the laptop I want at a decent price. And I do not want to spend $3K on a laptop. Cell phones are far cheaper than laptops, esp with a contract. After rebates and stuff, I got a $400 phone for $99. Its the nokia 6620. Too bad the camera/ video recorder does not handle darkness well.

you're comparing a laptop to a cellphone? ur nuts...

OK, say your lappy cost $1500. You can probably sell it after a year for $750. That means you can get a new laptop each year for $62/month. How much is your monthly cell bill + the prorated cell phone cost each month?

I see your point.
How do you go about selling your used laptop? Ebay?

I want to upgrade my warranty also, but I'm hoping that Dell sends me the upgrade offer with rebate before my first 45 days are up.

Here's a question. Is the 3 year at-home warranty worth the extra cost over the 3 year mail-in warranty?