http://kulpreetsingh.com/buyer-beware-watch-your-dell-notebook-battery Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:35:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://kulpreetsingh.com/buyer-beware-watch-your-dell-notebook-battery#comment-147 David Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:55:23 +0000 http://kulpreetsingh.com/?p=32#comment-147 Sadly, this is true of all computer OEM's and retailers. Service plans, formerly called warranties, only cover the laptop only. And even then there can be some restrictions that you might not be aware of. Batteries are covered for only one year, unless there is an option to purchase additional coverage for the battery. Power supplies are not always covered, as they are not always considered part of the computer. Then there is software. Make multiple backups of all software, and store them somewhere safe. Use the utility in the start menu to make your "recovery disc". Any original media that is sent to you is only covered from "manufacturing defects" for the first 90 days of ownership. If you don't have it and your PC OS crashes, sending the unit in for service (Can you stand to be without your new PC for two to six weeks?) may be your only option. Of course you could go to a retailer and PAY them to fix it. Of course what they will do is make you BUY a new copy of the OS that you already own. ALL of your data will be lost. NONE of the software that came with your PC will be available (ie. DVD play/burn, Office/Productivity, Media, Games, etc). You will also pay to UPDATE/SECURE the OS. And there's more. When your done, you'll have paid $300+ just to have Windows ONLY. Back to the battery. Since you need to buy a new one now, I would suggest going to a third party, such as Batteries+. Do not buy one from the vendor you purchased your computer from. Not only will they have the battery you need, but the price and coverage will beat anything that any computer OEM or retailer will offer. That covers just some of the warranty/service plan confusions that many customers have. Caveat Emptor Sadly, this is true of all computer OEM’s and retailers.
Service plans, formerly called warranties, only cover the laptop only. And even then there can be some restrictions that you might not be aware of. Batteries are covered for only one year, unless there is an option to purchase additional coverage for the battery.
Power supplies are not always covered, as they are not always considered part of the computer.
Then there is software. Make multiple backups of all software, and store them somewhere safe. Use the utility in the start menu to make your “recovery disc”. Any original media that is sent to you is only covered from “manufacturing defects” for the first 90 days of ownership.
If you don’t have it and your PC OS crashes, sending the unit in for service (Can you stand to be without your new PC for two to six weeks?) may be your only option. Of course you could go to a retailer and PAY them to fix it. Of course what they will do is make you BUY a new copy of the OS that you already own. ALL of your data will be lost. NONE of the software that came with your PC will be available (ie. DVD play/burn, Office/Productivity, Media, Games, etc). You will also pay to UPDATE/SECURE the OS. And there’s more. When your done, you’ll have paid $300+ just to have Windows ONLY.
Back to the battery. Since you need to buy a new one now, I would suggest going to a third party, such as Batteries+. Do not buy one from the vendor you purchased your computer from. Not only will they have the battery you need, but the price and coverage will beat anything that any computer OEM or retailer will offer.
That covers just some of the warranty/service plan confusions that many customers have.
Caveat Emptor

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