Re: [PLUG] Suggestions for laptop

[Bill Patterson <patterson@computer.org>]

Square Trade warranties are honored.  They paid me back for two tablets that failed fairly quickly.  However, when you figure in the cost of the warranty and that that cost is not refunded you may decide that they are not worth the trouble. 

I use Ebay frequently and find it very helpful.  Every so often you run into someone who doesn't deliver what you expect.  But most of the time I am very satisfied with the purchase.  Be sure you know what is being offered, as a situation in which the product is "not as described" is one in which things can work out well.  When something goes wrong, it is easy to get a redress of your grievances because Ebay sets up an email link THROUGH EBAY between you and the supplier.  Since they see all the communications they can often make a decision that they think is fair, and then both of you have to abide by it, and if you deserve a refund, in their view, you will get it.

Bill

On 3/13/2015 12:10 PM, Rich Mingin (PLUG) wrote:

Yes, if warranty is important to you, Microcenter is probably the most ideal scenario. You can buy SquareTrade warranties against eBay purchases, and I think it's even possible to buy an aftermarket SquareTrade warranty against a purchase from me or $random_person, but Microcenter has the best and most established version.

On the other hand, I don't usually worry about warranties on laptops I purchase for less than ~500$, since the warranty service ends up costing a significant percentage of what the laptop itself did.

On Fri, Mar 13, 2015 at 12:06 PM, Keith C. Perry <kperry@daotechnologies.com> wrote:

I was just talking to someone about this.  Personally, I don't trust the whole eBay dynamic.  At least not for anything critical.  I'm sure I'm in the minority on that but since we're lucky enough to be close to a Microcenter, I'd rather go there.  Excellent service and they have fairly inexpensive warranties on refurb products that they won't hassle you about honoring.

http://www.microcenter.com/category/4294967291,519/Refurbished-Laptops

There are some Lenovo's on there.  Not sure they are spec and price-wise what you want but there might be something.

---
KP-On Mar 13, 2015 11:42 AM, rutt smith <ruttsmith@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> That is what I am kind of worried about. I'd hate to get one and be stuck with that other OS. I know a lot of the ones refurbished from companies might have some of those security features enabled so I will have to be careful. If anyone has any suggestions for trusty retailers ebay or otherwise I'm all ears.
>

> On Fri, Mar 13, 2015 at 11:33 AM, Rich Mingin (PLUG) <plug@frags.us> wrote:
>>
>> On almost all Thinkpads, you can set passwords to prevent boot, to prevent entering the firmware, and to prevent changes to the firmware settings, and generally all separately.
>>
>> Anyone attempting to sell a laptop with one or more of these set is at the minimum, acting in an unprofessional fashion, and most likely, is selling stolen property.
>>
>> If you buy a Thinkpad or any other laptop and there is a password set which does not allow you to enter/change settings in the firmware, contact the selling marketplace immediately, explain the situation, and receive instructions on how to return for full refund. You can generally leave negative feedback for such a seller as well.
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 13, 2015 at 11:29 AM, rutt smith <ruttsmith@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> I thought that some of the thinkpads had a password protected bios. 
>>>
>>> On Fri, Mar 13, 2015 at 11:28 AM, Rich Mingin (PLUG) <plug@frags.us> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Unlocked meaning what?
>>>>
>>>> On Mar 13, 2015 10:50 AM, "rutt smith" <ruttsmith@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I was wondering if anyone knew a good place to get a unlocked thinkpad for a good price, and which model is the most reliable? I am planning on doing some traveling this year, and would like something that is pretty bulletproof. Doesn't have to be a thinkpad, but I would really like one because of the track record of awesomeness. Also on a tight budget so the cheaper the better. 
>>>>>
>>>>> Ken
>>>>>
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>> ___________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________
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Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion  --   http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug

___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group         --        http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion  --   http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug

___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group         --        http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion  --   http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug