Configuring Thinkpad for purchase asap - Need advice!

I'm trying to take advantage of a Lenovo deal that expires today for a Thinkpad E530. I'm actually stuck on warranty options. I've had enough laptops fail that upgrading to 3 years for $99 seems reasonable. Don't understand the other options, though, save for the sale prices they're offering on both levels. Help? ASAP?! Thank you!

Warranty services 3 Years
[add $99.00] 3YR Depot

[add $269.00 $174.85] 3YR Onsite + Priority + ADP

[add $279.00 $181.35] 3YR Depot + 3YR ThinkPad Protection

 

[add $99.00] 3YR Depot
3-year warranty on the computer itself only. If something fails, call Lenovo, they overnight you a box (postage paid) and you overnight it back to Lenovo. The fix and overnight back to you. Usually a 4 business day process - very fast and you never pay anything for shipping either way.

[add $269.00 $174.85] 3YR Onsite + Priority + ADP
Same as above, but you can have a technician come out to your home/business to repair. Takes about the same time as shipping in my experience since the technician is at the mercy of replacement part shipping vs the liklehood that Lenovo in Atlanta has the part on the shelf already.

[add $279.00 $181.35] 3YR Depot + 3YR ThinkPad Protection
Same as above (no in-home repair - shipping also know as "depot" only) but covers accidental damage (i.e. dropping the machine or spilling water). Within reason of course and is at Lenovo's discretion. Don't run over your computer with 1 month left on the warranty and expect a brand new machine.

Basically if you aren't clumsy, I'd just go with the first option, which will be the cheapest. I've had very fast turnarounds for stuff in the past with the 2-way shipping warranty. It was faster than having a guy come to my home to replace a display, so yeah.

 

I agree that the $99 3 year option makes the most sense, for stuff that are user replaceable you can tell customer support to send you the part and replace yourself. Even the Edge now has spill proof keyboard and hard drive protection so unless you are really harsh on the computer accidental damage protection isn't necessary.

 

Sometimes they discount the warranties a lot, but that's not lower than normal. At that price just stick with the standard 1yr warranty unless you want On-site or Accident protection. You can extend the warranty a year from now before it expires for the same price. No need to spend that money now.

I've had Depot and On-Site. On-site isn't worth it imo. As mentioned most of the time it's a CRU and they'll send you the part. If it's more serious like motherboard or screen, sending the laptop out and being without it for even 3-4 days is impossible for a lot of people but there's a way to get same day turn around. With the depot warranty, find a Lenovo authorized service provider in your area. Take the notebook to them so they can verify the problem. Bring it back when the parts come in, and get your notebook back in an hour or so. I've done it this way in Chicago and a small town in Indiana.

 

I presume the three year on-site + priority + accidental is on sale for $174. That's only $75, $25 more a year, over the three year depot. That'd probably be the way I go if I upgrade the warranty. Then Lenovo will fix it regardless of how it's damaged. If you travel with your notebook frequently, the accidental has more value.

 

I missed the $174 in that post. That's a very great price, and I'd go with that as well.

 

I never buy warranties for computers. The one year that comes standard is usually sufficient as if there's a major problem with the laptop then it would most likely pop up within that year.

things that die later could be your HDD, of which you should have back up anyways and would cost less than $99 to replace. Same goes for any memory module (rare but happens). Screen pixels dont die just like that over time, those either work from the beginning or not.

only way you could benefit from that warranty is if you buy some expensive SSD and it craps out within the 3 years, at which point it could still cost over $99 for you to replace yourself. Hmmm, rare case IMO.

 

I usually see the opposite happen. The laptop tends to fail after the standard warranty is up (planned obsolescence?). This is an example of it... http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/681815-baffling-problem-x220-please-help.html

I feel sorry for this person because it almost seems like a common trait with all laptops.