Best warrenty for IBM T42 laptops?

[elyrly]

Hi, i looked at the check out for the 2378FVU and saw a lot of options but which one do i really need just for a basic user

[JHEM]

Hi, i looked at the check out for the 2378FVU and saw a lot of options but which one do i really need just for a basic user

At the very least you want to upgrade the warranty from one year to three years of EasyServ service for $132!

Whether or not to get the Thinkpad Protection coverage for accidental damage is a difficult decision for most. Personally, I have a rider on my homeowners insurance that covers all of my laptops 24/7/365 against damage or loss and only costs $120 per year.

Regards,

James

[Cavorite]

related to this, anyone happen to know about the exacts of IBM's accident coverage. Mainly, in regards to the accidental coverage covering business/professional users, not home users. If I buy the laptop under my own name (through EPP) even though work is re-embursing me, but use it daily in my full time job and on the side in my other professional projects, will this satisfy IBM? I can't see how they could argue much as my employer could vouch for my use of it daily, but still would like to check before I pay for the plan.

-C-

[Leon]

you will be fine.....

[treker]

Just received a new T42 with one year warranty direct from IBM. I am interested in extending my current warranty. I couldn't find EasyServ warranty at all. Is that the current term?

Checking online I find ThinkPad Protection for $143 and Warranty Extension Depot Repair 3 years $112. The Protection plan sounds like it covers ACCIDENTS and Depot Repair for 3years. This seems like a very reasonable $31 to cover ACCIDENTS. Am I reading the fine print correctly?

With either warranties will I be able to call IBM Service in year 2 or 3 and get, say, a replacement keyboard sent out? How about if my screen develops dead pixels later on?

treker

[Leon]

Just received a new T42 with one year warranty direct from IBM. I am interested in extending my current warranty. I couldn't find EasyServ warranty at all. Is that the current term?

Checking online I find ThinkPad Protection for $143 and Warranty Extension Depot Repair 3 years $112. The Protection plan sounds like it covers ACCIDENTS and Depot Repair for 3years. This seems like a very reasonable $31 to cover ACCIDENTS. Am I reading the fine print correctly?

With either warranties will I be able to call IBM Service in year 2 or 3 and get, say, a replacement keyboard sent out? How about if my screen develops dead pixels later on?

treker

You are NOT reading it correctly. Protection plan DOES NOT include Depot. The answer to your last question is, yes, it will cover anything that legitimately breaks or comes out of standard.

[treker]

Okay, I re-read the Protection Plan. I guess I read Depot service and made a wrong conclusion. When they say service is delivered through the depot they mean ONLY due to accidents. NOT, say, a hard drive failure due to manufacturing defects.

Thanks for clearing that up. So, I guess warranty extension for 3years at $112 is still a good deal? And that only includes original factory installed equipment? Additional memory, HD upgrade, anything else I add is excluded?

Treker

[Leon]

Both plans are a good deal. Yes, add ons bought elsewhere are not covered, those bought from IBM carry their own warranty.

[treker]

Thanks for the tips. One last question: Can I add the extended warranty ANYTIME during the first 30 days?

[Leon]

Damage Protection MUST be bought at time of purchase (for obvious reasons). Extended warranty can be bought ANYTIME before your original warranty expires.

[admsteiner]

Thanks for the tips. One last question: Can I add the extended warranty ANYTIME during the first 30 days?

I did. I purchased my 2378-FVU with a 3 year onsite upgrade. I then added the thinkpad protection plan (I'm rather tough on my laptops). If you think about it, it makes logical sense. You can *return* it within 30 days, so worst scenario is you would return it and purchase the same one with the warranty. So they'll add it for you.

It might take a bit of talking on your part, I know it did with me, but it worked fine in the end.

--Adam

[Leon]

works, UNLESS you drop it in the first 3o days.....

[aamsel]

Well, it can, and it can not...
When I ordered my 2378FVU (which had 1 year warranty) I added the 3 Year Thinkpad Protection plus the upgrade to 3 year Depot. It was all ONE PART NUMBER (01N1577 3YR THINKPAD PROTECTION ) but it did include an upgrade to 3 year Depot plus the Thinkpad Protection for about $254. The 3 year Thinkpad Protection on its own was something like $139 or $169.

Also, Thinkpad Protection covers far more than things that "legitimately break". It covers spills, drops, etc. It covers running it over with a car or dropping it off of a bridge (provided that it is not intentional). My understanding is that it covers everything except theft or intentional damage.

Still don't know if I should have added on-site, but the general concensus here seemed to be NOT to. Correct?

Andrew
Austin, TX

...You are NOT reading it correctly. Protection plan DOES NOT include Depot. The answer to your last question is, yes, it will cover anything that legitimately breaks or comes out of standard.

[Leon]

by "legitimately break" I meant unintentionally as you indicated. Feelings about on-site versus depot are mixed, often depending on personal experience....

[aamsel]

oops

[Agent69]

Too bad Thinkpad Protection is not available to me here in Florida. Guess there's always Safeware.

[aamsel]

Yeah, I won't buy a notebook without accidental damage coverage added.

The biggest decision for me (still) is depot vs on-site.
I have read many pros and cons of on-site, and a few about depot.

Andrew
Austin, TX