I'm confused between different warranty offerings, even after reading the help multiple times, I still cant make up my mind.

For various systems, i've seen various words being used when trying to goto upgrade warranty link, these terms are:

1. Onsite
2. Onsite next business day
3. Priority
4. Onsite Priority

Some systems allow me to add TPP, some do not...

Some systems show post warranty addition as well, some dont..

im trying to buy one from ebay but looking up their warranty and upgrade options first before buying.

The Lenovo warranty world is both confusing and unbelievably comprehensive.

There are multiple types of every warranty, as you have noted, but many more than you've noted. I won't try to explain them all, but I'll list my three greatest warranty tips.

1) YOU CAN ONLY UPGRADE A WARRANTY ONE TIME on a machine that is still covered under it's original warranty.

Example: If you buy a T520 with a one year depot warranty and you upgrade the warranty to a three year depot warranty (very typical upgrade), then your done. You can no longer upgrade to on-site, TPP or five year depot, for instance. You are allowed only ONE upgrade while during the original term warranty that was attached to the model number of the machine. Using the example above, even though the T520 is eligible for a five year depot warranty, if you've purchased the three year upgrade, you can not upgrade to five, even if you try before the three year expires. ONE upgrade, that's it. However, you can buy a POST-warranty coverage! It will cost a lot more, but you can add two more years that way.

This is why it's important to look up the warranty yourself to verify if the machine is still under warranty and if it's been upgraded yet.

2) YOU CAN UPGRADE MOST THINKPADS TO FIVE YEARS OF COVERAGE! This is great, since many machines are fine (in some capacity) for five years or longer. (I'm currently using a 2006 Z61m for work.)

3) THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF THINKPAD PROTECTION PACKAGES/PLANS (TPP) - BASIC AND REGULAR! It is very important to know which one you are buying since they are very different and they are priced differently. Basic provides for a SINGLE repair claim over the life of the machine! Regular (actually not called that, but just TPP vs. TPP Basic) provides for UNLIMITED repairs of the life of the machine UP TO THE COST OF THE SYSTEM. Neither is that great, but regular is better.

Thanks a lot, this is great tip.

What is the difference between onsite and priority?

Also, TPP is only for accidental damage, right?

If the motherboad or any other component in the laptop just dies or malfunctions, the onsite warranty without TPP would still entitle me to free replacement of the part, right?

Priority is a new service "upgrade" to standard. I do not feel it is needed, since over the last 20 years, I have felt that IBM/Lenovo have always provided me with priority and superior service. I believe you can upgrade either depot or onsite to priority. There is also Priority 4 for four hour response time! See this link --> http://www.lenovo.com/services_warranty ... pport.html

Correct about TPP. Lenovo is excellent about covering failed parts under warranty. (However, with questionable failures, like a cracked palmrest, having TPP means it gets replaced without an issue.)

Just adding TPP must be added in the first 90 days and only goes up to four years.

Some models are offered with up to four years, some five years. If you can get a five year warranty, then TPP can be extended to five years.

I just purchased two T420s models for customers, both with extended warranties from their base depot warranties of three years, one to five years onsite plus five years TPP and one to five years depot plus five years TPP.

As usual, Ed is right on the money.

The only thing I'd add is that if you're considering Priority 4, make sure that your city/town/etc. is a location in which they'll be able to provide service. That response time objective is only offered for certain areas, and if, for example, you live in Middle of Nowhere, Alaska they won't be able to offer the same guarantees as if you live, say, 30 minutes from the Lenovo campus.

Is there a sweet spot that gives the best bang for the buck? Trying to decide which path is the most cost effective.

Anyone know what percentage of Thinkpads need repair during years 2, 3, and 4 of service? What is the average number of repairs during that time and what is the average cost per repair?

I'd say - it depends on how soon you will feel like replacing the computer.

If you plan to ditch it after a year and a half - no need to extend warranty past one year. For most people 3 years would be a sweet spot, as the computer may become almost obsolete after that. If you want to keep it for a long time - get even 4 or 5 years.

I tend to get three years on machines that I plan to keep for a while.

In the 3-5 year window, used machines are common enough and parts are cheap enough that I'm OK doing repairs on my own. Prior to that I tend to be using the machines for work, and as such downtime is something that I like to avoid -- and since there may not be that many off-lease "donor" machines on the market within the first year or so of a model's life, I tend to be a bit more cautious and get an on-site warranty for that portion.

But really it's up to you. Figure out how long you want to keep the machine, figure out how willing you are to do repairs yourself, price out some parts on eBay, and then match all that up against your risk tolerance.

Is there any data to address the questions above?