Chadguy

I have had a IBM Thinkpad T40 for just shy of 3 years. IBM has just phoned me to extend the all purpose hardware warranty. The cost is 100 for 1 year. 200 for 2 years. If after the 1 year if I choose, I want the second, it's 170. If I wait until after the warranty expires, again it's 170.

I have been told that since I bought the laptop in Jan 2004 (for $2400, incidentally) on American Express, I have an extention into the 4th year for free, anyway. The problem if there is one that I would have to pay and then get reimbursement on it, should anything happen.

I should say that I have had a few glitches on the machine - in fact, I'm about to send it in under the warranty for what appears to be a battery short, and recurring messages of the computer recovering from a serious error which could be hardware or software apparently.

At any rate, is this a good idea to buy the warranty extension? I'm told that should I have any problem at all in the next year or two - there is the question of when I should be replacing this machine - it will cost in the multi hundreds for anything.

So Extended Warranty or not?

What say you.

Many thanks.

Chadguy

Jon

firstly what currency are you talking about?

secondly how good is the computer? because if it is not that great there is probably no point taking an extra warranty as it wouldnt cost much more to get a new one.

__________________
Acer Aspire 5101AWLMi laptop
AMD Turion 64 MK36 - 2.0 Ghz
1 gig DDR2 RAM
60Gb HDD
ATI RADEON Xpress 1100 chipset set at 128mb
15.4 widescreen crystalbrite TFT LCD

Chadguy

It's American currency.

A new updated rig would cost $2400.

There is a big differenc.

Thanks.

Chadguy

Jon

you said you paid $2400 for it in january 2004, well it will definately be cheaper than that to buy something of the same spec now.

__________________
Acer Aspire 5101AWLMi laptop
AMD Turion 64 MK36 - 2.0 Ghz
1 gig DDR2 RAM
60Gb HDD
ATI RADEON Xpress 1100 chipset set at 128mb
15.4 widescreen crystalbrite TFT LCD

soccerdude

I suggest you do the 1 year warrenty incase something happens in the 1 year. Then if you are interested to get a new laptop get the newest Tseries they have.

Hope this helps

Chadguy

Thank you all for your help.

I just wanted to post this information I just got from American Express.

They will cover an extension up to a fifth year. If you take the fourth, they'll cover the fifth.

So, ostensibly, there's always 5 years for just the $100 extra on the Thinkpad warranty - the fourth year cost.

But, I am leaning towards making my life easier and just paying the $200 for the two years (4th and 5th year.)

The only chink in accepting AMEX seems to be that they has their own laptop specialists, so that while you are getting IBM parts you're not getting IBM service. If you have a non-major problem and you need help, I suspect they would not be as reliable, or available, as phoning Thinkpad support.

That's one reason I think it may be worth paying the $200 freight for the extra two years. $100 for piece of mind...maybe.

Thanks again.

Chadguy"