New computer warranties

I'm doing some preliminary research on buying a new Windows 10 laptop.
In my case I haven't purchased a new computer since 1998 so I'd appreciate a heads up on what to consider when it comes to warranties.
I probably need to improve how I feel about warranties, but from what I can determine, it appears to me that a standard warranty on a new computer is good for one year for hardware only and the computer usually needs to be sent in if it isn't purchased locally.
Then there are plans with more options such as in-home service.
What I'm thinking of doing is settle for the standard 1 year warranty which I believe is free. If I can't solve an issue that comes up myself, ask for help here in our forums, if something is still over my head, then bring it to a local computer shop.

Pretty much a 1 year standard parts warranty in uk pal. Acc dam not included in any capacity :)

If it is under warranty and a hardware issue, then pay a local computer shop to fix it?

NavyLCDR said:

If it is under warranty and a hardware issue, then pay a local computer shop to fix it?

Not if it's free. But you made me realize I need to mention my concern about paid-for warranties. In general are they worth it?
As a result, when I mentioned "What I'm thinking of doing is settle for the standard 1 year warranty which I believe is free" I need to rephrase that: When the time comes to make a decision, determine what does a paid for warranty actually cover and does it provide any value add features?

I have never used any paid for warranty that I have paid for and I will never purchase one again. When you are getting advice from others, make sure they are offering their actual experiences with having really used whatever they are offering advice about. If they say, "I bought XYZ warranty and it covers this and that.....", the first question should be, "Have you used it? How was the experience when you actually used it?"

Here's my experience with Asus factory warranty. I purchased a laptop for my daughter. I immediately upgraded it to an SSD myself as soon as we bought it. I think it was about two months and the screen started going weird. I contact Asus and they provided me with an RMA#. I removed the SSD, stuck the original HDD back in it, and sent it off to Asus. I think they sent me a return label, but don't remember, I might have had to pay shipping to them (about $20). In less than 2 weeks (I think I sent it on Monday, and got it back Wednesday of the next week), I had the laptop back, put the SSD back in it, and have had no problems with it since then.

From a hardware manufacturer's perspective, the warranty covers hardware failure. The standard coverage lasts one year. Any purchase of extended coverage from the manufacturer would not cover anything outside of hardware. One only extends the length of coverage, not breadth.

Buying extended warranty from the seller who is not the manufacturer muddies it somewhat. Questions will have to be asked about the breadth of coverage. A forum member complained in a thread about an (extended?) warranty servicer charging extra for 'software' problems. No hardware problem was found. An OS reinstall was done. The warranty holder was charged for the 'software' service.

NavyLCDR said:

I have never used any paid for warranty that I have paid for and I will never purchase one again. When you are getting advice from others, make sure they are offering their actual experiences with having really used whatever they are offering advice about. If they say, "I bought XYZ warranty and it covers this and that.....", the first question should be, "Have you used it? How was the experience when you actually used it?"

Here's my experience with Asus factory warranty. I purchased a laptop for my daughter. I immediately upgraded it to an SSD myself as soon as we bought it. I think it was about two months and the screen started going weird. I contact Asus and they provided me with an RMA#. I removed the SSD, stuck the original HDD back in it, and sent it off to Asus. I think they sent me a return label, but don't remember, I might have had to pay shipping to them (about $20). In less than 2 weeks (I think I sent it on Monday, and got it back Wednesday of the next week), I had the laptop back, put the SSD back in it, and have had no problems with it since then.

Thanks for your mentioning your experience. That actually helps me feel I prefer staying with a mfg. warranty.

pyramid10 said:

From a hardware manufacturer's perspective, the warranty covers hardware failure. The standard coverage lasts one year. Any purchase of extended coverage from the manufacturer would not cover anything outside of hardware. One only extends the length of coverage, not breadth.

Buying extended warranty from the seller who is not the manufacturer muddies it somewhat. Questions will have to be asked about the breadth of coverage. A forum member complained in a thread about an (extended?) warranty servicer charging extra for 'software' problems. No hardware problem was found. An OS reinstall was done. The warranty holder was charged for the 'software' service.

If it's the same complaint you indicate, that's what had prompted me to question a separate paid for warranty company.

Also, some credit cards (for instance Amex and Visa Signature) offer purchase protection and free extended warranty. So if your laptop has a hardware failure after 1 year, you can get reimbursed by Amex for any repairs you get.

As for personal experience with manufacturer warranty - I have used Dell's on-site service, which is included with some of their business computers (which you can buy even if you're not a business). You have to get through their India-based tech support phone system first but once you can convince them that it's a true failure they'll send out a tech in the next day or 2 to your house/office and repair it on the spot.