Comments on: Help! My Laptop is quitting on me.

By: Rhonda Porter

Rhonda Porter — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:59:04 +0000

Update: may my toshiba laptop RIP. My new Dell is on the way….

By: Rhonda Porter

Rhonda Porter — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 23:07:22 +0000

Thanks, Deborah. It’s been 2 days and my lap top has been doing great! At the very least, this can serve as a reminder for people to clean their fans…or am I the only dope who hasn’t?

By: Deborah Burns

Deborah Burns — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:18:14 +0000

Thanks for bring up this topic Rhonda, I have been enjoying reading everyones’ tips. I am planing on buying another laptop this fall myself and everyones’ comments have been very helpful.

I am glad to hear that since doing some serious “laptop cleaning” that yours is humming away!

By: Rhonda Porter

Rhonda Porter — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:53:12 +0000

I forgot about that, The Tim. Excellent point!

By: The Tim

The Tim — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:50:53 +0000

I don’t know if it would qualify as “small,” but Hard Drives Northwest (in Bellevue) is a local computer shop. From looking at their website, I can see that they have at least one Lenovo under $1,000.

One more comment about Best Buy and the Geek Squad. I would think twice, thrice, and even four times before bringing any computer in to them for service. Not only because of the high cost, but also because of a track record for dishonesty. Geek Squad employees have admitted to copying customers’ personal files, and in a Consumerist sting, others were caught doing the same. Granted, I’m sure you don’t have the kind of files most of them are “interested” in, but there’s still a serious privacy issue there, and I wouldn’t trust them with any sensitive data whatsoever.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:47:23 +0000

Rhonda,

If you want a small local shop you can go to Hard Drives Northwest. Havent had one of their machines in a while but when I did it was a great desktop. I heard mixed review of their laptops, but if you want to go that route, they might be a good starting point. As for Costco, with their new customer service program they have implemented, I have been really impressed. They take a very hands on approach to dealing with issues. Obviously you cant just drop in, but if they can’t help you over the phone in 30-45 minutes, they usually send someone out for no charge.

By: Rhonda Porter

Rhonda Porter — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:26:58 +0000

I really can’t think of any small computer shops that sell them. Just the big box stores and the internet.

The Tim, my mind always relates to mortgage! It’s awful. I went to dermatologist a few months ago and almost wrote a post about how that experience is like visiting a LO…I’m sick!

The geeks at Best Buy said it would be $35 (if no problem) to $100! You’re right on.

We’re planning on giving this lap top to my step-daughter (who spilled super glue on hers…can’t imagine why SHE’s having troubles with her’s)…her laptop is about 5 years old now.

I’m hoping to stall a little while longer before making my purchase (even though I love new tech toys!).

By: David Bragg

David Bragg — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:10:35 +0000

Thanks for seeing my point The Tim,
Smaller shops generally do not cost much more and personalized service you receive is really worth it. You really get some fantastic advise and post-purchase support should you need it. I will add though that when your computer has issues it is never fun and almost never easy.

By: The Tim

The Tim — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:02:32 +0000

“Kind of like how people with ARMs should be planning now instead of waiting before they’re in a crunch.”

Nice way to bring the conversation back to real estate, Rhonda ;^)

“I can’t believe I didn’t fry my computer. I’m pretty sure at least one (if not two) of my fans were not working. I’m LUCKY it was shutting down.”

It’s actually a feature of most modern laptops I’ve worked with. When they get too hot, some of the chips inside shut themselves down to prevent damage. Just think, the “geeks” at Best Buy would have probably charged you $75 for that fix!

David’s got a good point as well. If service is something that’s important to you, checking out some smaller local shops is a good choice too. Unfortunately I do all my own computer service, so I can’t recommend a good one.

By: Rhonda Porter

Rhonda Porter — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:55:34 +0000

David, it IS a valid point. Sorry for not responding…I thought I was dreaming when I read about a “small local shop”. I’m not sure we have such an animal in the Seattle area.

Kary, I think you’re right. The dustball the size of a penny stuck in my fan was not doing me any favors!