Extended warranties (HP & Toshiba)...

[Deeman]

In the market for a new laptop via salary sacrifice for home use. Currently looking at a 2600-Series HP, or a A200/A210 series Toshiba. Something around the 1.83GHz class, 2GB, Vista Premium, etc. (Recommendations between the two welcome!), pricing around $1500-$2000 incl warranty.

Forced to buy from Harvey Norman, which is a little unfortunate, but the tax benefits from the salary sacrifice make it worthwhile.

However - i'm not keen on laptop warranties provided by the store themselves (or the pricing) - i'd rather deal direct with the manufacturer.

I know Dell sell the warranties direct, but if I purchase a HP or a Toshiba from HN, can I then purchase the extended warranty from the manufacturer (or a reseller)? I'd rather deal with their service direct, rather than having to return it to the store, have it assessed, and then sent off to the manufacturer.

Toshiba look like they do it...

http://www.isd.toshiba.com.au/71/liv...?CATOID=-11893

HP mention it but don't offer pricing online - has anyone bought a HP before? Do they give you the option to extend the warranty in the box, or will I have to chase it up elsewhere? I probably have access to buy a pack via a couple of HP resellers we deal with, but if I can buy the pack from HP direct, that would make life easier...

A few reviews around the place suggest I should be looking at the Toshiba as there are some issues with the HP - can anyone shed any light? I've been a Thinkpad / Dell Latitude shop at work, so no real experience with the Toshibas.

Edit: Looks like HT can on-sell the HP and Toshiba warranty packs - as long as I can buy them on their own, without packaging it with a notebook from them...

http://www.ht.com.au/N/Computers-Not...nties/list.hts

All feedback appreciated - cheers!

[NSanity]

How are you "forced" to buy from HN?

At my work you simply put forward the quote, they make out a purchase order for it (or you buy it and they reimburse you) and then you get it.

A "direct" service warranty that involves sending the machine away - is still bullshit.

Honestly, after you've experienced dell's on-site warranty, its hard to recommend anything else.

[Deeman]

Originally Posted by NSanity

How are you "forced" to buy from HN?

At my work you simply put forward the quote, they make out a purchase order for it (or you buy it and they reimburse you) and then you get it.

A "direct" service warranty that involves sending the machine away - is still bullshit.

Honestly, after you've experienced dell's on-site warranty, its hard to recommend anything else.

That's the way our salary packaging works, unfortunately - has to be purchased through HN. Bit of a PITA, but that's the way it is. I could always use Dell's EPP, but 3% isn't really that compelling.

I know about Dell's on-site warranty, we use it for all our work laptops (writing this on a D620 now) . I'm a big fan, and there's some good deals on Dell's a the moment, but the tax benefits of the salary sacrifice make a big difference.

Looks like you can buy on-site NBD from HT, for both HP & Toshiba for a couple of hundred bucks...

http://www.ht.com.au/N/Computers-Not...NBD/detail.hts

http://www.ht.com.au/N/Computers-Not...NBD/detail.hts

Might have to make some calls tomorrow...

Edit: Just came across the new Dell 1525, looks like an even better option. 15.4" WXGA+, 2GHz C2D, 2GB for $80 less than the 1420, with 2yr onsite NBD...