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I went to buy a laptop for school and paid well over $1000 dollars plus a $300 dollar warranty to find out that it only covers the hardware and not the software. My internet will not connect properly and it will cost almost another $175 to fix, and it is BS. —Not a happy camper
This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2010.
72 Comments
Bet it was bought at a big box store. Better to go to a smaller place or a reputable place that sells good used ones.
Let this be an expensive lesson to you that you do NOT need a MacBook Pro just for write papers, send email and play on FaceBook.
NGF, you can’t buy a MacBook Pro for $1000.
Tis true, my bf bought one and it was close to $2000 :O!
Lolz a Mac Pro for a thousand $ … never gonna happen.
All things being equal, it’s probably not the laptops fault you can’t type in a password properly.
Besides, who buys a warranty without first checking what it covers? If the company OP bought the laptop from is the big chain company I am thinking of, they’d try and sell you extended warranty for a flashlight. Just say no next time.
Call your interweb provider, they’ll talk you through the hook-up.
sucker
Or learn a little about how your hardware and software operates so you can keep it in working order.
Why the fuck anyone would pay more than $500 for a laptop is beyond me. After a certain point there is no discernible difference in performance for the average user.
Can you not fix a “software problem” yourself?? God people are helpless
Macbooks are style over substance, you’re paying for the brand
You’re not going to get a laptop you’ll like for under 500, mine was 650 and it’s de shittttttt.
I got a used IBM T-40 Thinkpad for under $500, tax included. It came from one of the banks (this is where this shop gets all it’s computers). New, retail, they go for over $3,000, and I’ve had no problems with it.
Most computer problems stem from user ineptness. Educate yourself, and be smart when web browsing and short of hardware malfunctions, you shouldn’t have any software problems. PS for the average user, Mac’s are the biggest waste of money ever!
Quit bashing Macs.
Mama loves her mac… paid $400 for it. 🙂 Suh-weeeeet!
this bitch loves her macs(not creepy clown food). never any problems, but when shit happens it’s my fault
I must join the I love mac club. I use Windows at work, mac at home and Windows = agony and frustration, mac = oasis. It was particularly agonizing when my mac was stolen.
a club? i don’t wanna join no freakin club^^tho if no one saw titanic or avatar they can be in my club
I can’t join the no James Cameron movie club. 🙁
Me neither. I saw Titanic… but I hated it… can I still join?
when titanic came out, folks were like you haven’t seen it ya gotta see it blah blah blah. so i said no way am i going to see this, being bullish and all *snort* i have enjoyed some of his other flicks. we should never belong to clubs that would have us as members ladies. we already have a league of our own…screee
I went to see Titanic because my friends took me. Before the commercial started one of my friends stood up and yelled, “WHAT??? IT SINKS??? NOOOOO!” He received an applause from the audience. Good memories.
Titanic !
I was part of the Canadian crew.
I still have never seen it.
Am I missing much ?
NGF’s just jealous that he doesn’t have a mac 🙂
The only mac you can get for a grand is the basic macbook with the student discount and that doesn’t include tax 😉
In any case — wouldn’t reformating your computer fix any software problems on a new lappy?
I mean — what has to be done to it to fix it? Any problems i ever had with my computer that wasn’t hardware related was fixed when I’d reformat. *shrug* And if it doesn’t, then maybe it *is* a software issue (like your wireless card is the shits).
no mr. more, even kathy bates was a waste and i less than three her
Mr More…so formal Paingirl, & I had my hopes up that your consideration of putting me on the menu ( as long pig) was meaning we were getting closer !
I agree with Bro Tim. I hate the slimy guys at future shop. Don’t beleive them
i was just being polite and i know there are some who need gender info^^
Alrighty then…I’m not a club joining person per se, or much of a movie buff either it seems, so you can sign me up for the Unseen Titanic-Avatar Club.
Fine, regular Mac book. And NGF doesn’t ‘need’ a Mac book to do his work on. If he wanted one he could probably buy it himself instead of having to get mommy and daddy to pay for it. 😀
I’m content with a $300 Netbook.
Uh huh, NGF, given the fact that my macbook was a graduation gift from my parents for both my BA and the same degree we share, and given the fact that YOUR mother gave you a grand for YOUR graduation gift from the same degree we share, I’m pretty sure you’re the pot in this pot-kettle situation.
And didn’t you say you paid $500 for your netbook? And didn’t you say it was acting up after a year and a bit of ownership?
My mac works just as well as it did the day I took it out of the box over 2 years ago. Including the battery life, of which I still get 2.5-3 hours of life out of.
So suck it, fatso.
You smell like a wet dog.
And I got $500 for graduating. The netbook cost $1000.
…you guys got money from your parents for graduation? … …
And a card and dinner!
o.p., you ever hear of a place called walmart or zellers. holy fuck, what do you really need for school work, a fucking i.b.m. big blue.
I didn’t get a card!
Fucking parents. What a bunch of cheepos. Couldn’t even buy me a frigging card. HAHAHA.
ok, apple blows…. just get that out of the way good and early….
and if it’s a software issue, I’m sure there’s some tech support you can reach out to.
Kitty, if (s)he reformats, she’ll lose her ethernet driver along with all the setup for the net…..
so likely if (s)he can’t get a working computer to connect, (s)he likely can’t get one from scratch going either.
It shouldn’t cost you anything though…. and try eliminating issues and building on that.
if you have a router, disconnect and try going straight from modem to computer.
If it works, you know the router setup is the issue.
etc…
it’s not rocket appliances.
LOL….$1000, plus you bought into the “extended warranty” crock. Sucker! Those extended warranties are crap. If you paid using a credit card, most cards come with the benefit of automatically doubling your warranty of the product.
can you be my tech support mr. zZz?
I’m already tech support for everyone I bloody know.
Calls from home are a 50/50 on whether they are technology-related.
I’m betting though that trying to ‘repair’ the connection (if windows based) would work…
refreshing the ip and all….
or perhaps rebooting the modem.
depends on what they’re seeing… but I’d certainly rule out hardware before tinkering with software setting if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Painey – I think Z-man is just holding out for #1 Son status. Might help relieve some of that empty nest syndrome. >; ) And zZz an 11:00 PM curfew on school nights is a fair trade for some home cooking.
it’s otay zZz, i was just poking you. one of my customer’s offers his services for nowt…my charming nature plus beer works every time
I’m in the market for a new computer…I was thinking a desktop though…but if I can get a nice laptop for under $1000 I’d be happy. I’m one of those ppl who get suckered into anything the future shop dude says. Shit! zZz will you be my friend and go shopping with me for a computer??
ok, your first mistake is going there for a computer….
you should really check out what you’re looking for online.
we have some excellent, local tech stores…
one down queen street, one out in spryfield,….
If you want to go shopping some time, I’m sure we can arrange it.
🙂 I’m not worth mugging so if this is a strategy to rob me, you might best not waste your time.
oh, and here’s 4 decent laptops under 1K
http://www.greenlyph.com/new/index.php?cPa…
OK…I know this sounds stupid but why is it better to have a laptop? I really hate them. Maybe it’s the whole mouse thing or the key board, but I like desktop computers. Should I really be buying a laptop? Also, does the computer come with all the software? At FS they have a price and then a separate price for additional software. I really am one of those sucker type people when it comes to technology.
And I think if either of us are going to get mugged it would be me taking a chance on you…nice scary ass new profile pic…
Apple does not blow.
yes it does. it blows goats.
proprietary pieces of crap.
RC,
Laptops (in my opinion) suck.
they’re harder to clean, suck to upgrade (unless it’s just Ram or the HDD)
if you don’t need a computer on the go, stick with the desktop.
you’ll save in the long run on shelling out for a new battery too since the laptop batteries do eventually die. they’re getting better… but still wear out eventually, and much more quickly than a PSU is going to.
I have my means of getting software so I generally don’t worry about that….
what is it going to be used for?
I do love having the flexibility of a laptop though… I can drag it along with me everywhere. I’ve had mine for 3 years, only a couple minor problems (mostly due to the tool in my office who was supposedly “fixing” it)… and ya, the battery is dying, but I just plug it in wherever I go. It is convenient… but I work on desktops too. My BF is a mac guy and he swears by it, but I have trouble getting used to it when I’m there…. I guess it’s what you’re used to and what you’re using it for.
I remember having to clean the heatsync out on an old toshiba notebook.
I had the computer in 13 parts with over 50 screws to get to it and peel the inch thick layer of cat hair off, re-thermal pasted the cpu and replaced everything in reverse order.
Come to find out I missed one important step of plugging the cpu fan back into the mobo.
had to take the bloody thing apart all over again just to plug in this little two pin connector. what a biatch.
laptop = 2 hrs
desktop would have taken all of 10 minutes….
so I’m biased.
sorry, the cpu fan is a 3 pin-er… my bad.
still.
Eh I prefer Mac. It doesn’t blow goats. Nope, I reject your comment. Windows or Linux or whatever platform you’re on, for that matter doesn’t blow. It’s usually the person that blows.
Depends on what you’re going to be using the computer for. If you won’t be using it outside of home that much, buy a desktop.
oh, I’m sure the physical hardware is ok…
I’m talking about apple. the company.
as a whole.
blow.
I’m none-too-happy about microshaft or sony either….
but I digress.
I use my computer at home and at the office, but I have a desktop here, so I really don’t need to bring it back & forth. I have an older laptop that I have been using at home, but I hate it!. I need to be able to work from home. I need all the Microsoft crap like word, publisher, stuff like that (I’m in sales and marketing) so I need to be able to access everything at home. Also I need a new printer scanner. Basically it would be nice to set up a home office type thing.
cake.
Not sure if it’s an option but you can look into remoting into your pc @ work so you don’t need all the extra applications at home you may not use. save on software …if you choose to purchase it that is…
Were I you, I’d get a barebones kit from the place I already linked, grab a cheap mobo/chip (maybe even *ghasp* onboard graphics to save the price of a GPU)
HDD, burner and perhaps a card reader….
you could have a new desktop (not a powerhouse, but a working machine)
for like $400 + software (and mouse/keyboard/screen if you don’t have them)
either way, they have 4 entry systems under 500 bucks to paruse if you don’t want to have it built.
Its hard to beleive in this day and age ppl still buy into Mac marketing. I’d rather have a beer with PC guy than that A&F sportin Mac punk anyday.
Oh yeah, OP, call up ur service provider’s tech support and u’ll get connected quick enuff for free.
zZz…everything you describe sounded like a different language to me. Seriously, I don’t understand computers at all. That’s why I get suckered. I need someone who knows what they’re talking about. Anything around $500 sounds awesome to me. And if you can show me how I can link my home pc to my office one would be absolutely amazing!! So I don’t have to take things back and forth….and you’re saying I can use the software at work on my home computer too?
If your work is set up like most I’ve been around, you may have these
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SecurID
little keyfob’s which let you remote into your desktop PC at work from anywhere with internet. you are essentially using your work computer as if you were there at your desk typing away. check into it.
If not, there may be another way… depending on your scenario.
you don’t want to build a computer if you didn’t understand my rambling…
zzzcoaster@gmail.com
we can chat without advertising it to the whole world….
lol. Thanks zZz!
if you’ve sent something, I’m not ignoring. I don’t have personal mail @ work….
tight security and all.
will sync up later.
lol. I never sent anything. Once I email you you’ll be able to google me pretty quickly and get my picture and bio off my work website. I need to create a stupid account that doesn’t have my name in it…I mean you could be a crazy serial killer or something! lol.
Apple, the company is no better than Microsoft, HOWEVER, I’ve had quite a few laptops in my time (and yes, I will always have a laptop because I enjoy the portability and not having to sit somewhere to use a computer — I like being able go wherever I want and use my computer) and the most stable, well constructed, durable computer has been my macbook. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this thing operates EXACTLY the same as when I took it out of the box two years ago. Battery life included.
I’m sure there are PCs out there that are as durable, however, with my somewhat sort of knowledge (I’m no expert, but i know how to maintain a computer properly on a basic level — no advanced knowledge here) the ease of maintenance an apple requires, it’s the best for me and likely for your average consumer out there.
Is it the best when it comes to picture quality/sound? No. My old vaio and my dad’s current vaio smokes my macbook on that, but my dad’s computer (and yes it’s fully updated, and he doesn’t do much on it except some basic surfing, so it’s not like he’s downloaded a bunch of crap or junked up the system otherwise) is slow as ass (fuck you, Vista), and MY vaio conked out after a year and a half (and the battery only lasted 15 minutes at that point anyway). So for someone who doesn’t have the money to replace their laptop every few years, apple was a great choice because I can definitely see having this for another 2-3 years. I’m only replacing this when I absolutely have to because it does all I need it to and all I can ever see it needing to do.
Also: fuck you, Apple, for RUINING the nano.
well at least you’re thinking more than these girls leaving their houses wide open @ night…
and that’s precisely what my gmail account is for.
since you read my profile, I understand completely.
though I will need to meet you to blast your ass away @ lasertag.
Nice…that is a group function with lots of super vision so I’m in for sure. Did you read in the paper yesterday that a couple had did paintball for their wedding over the weekend…all the guest..bride…groom…they were split into teams (in-laws and out-laws). It was really cute. It wasn’t for the actual ceremony…and the best man owns the island they did it on. But that’s one redneck wedding I’d like to attend!
Kitty, as someone very ‘in the know’, I had an ibm thinkpad R31 for 7 years and a cat for 3 of those and never had to open the thing to clean/replace hardware….
It is all about the usage and care.
(because I know plenty of people who would denounce anything ‘thinkpad’ in a heartbeat)
It even outlasted the PSU in my storage pc… though yeah, the battery was shot after 3 years and it was pretty much used as a desktop after that.
And yes, I know you love your macbook. A fact that burns to my very core every time ‘Apple’ is brought up (that’s with a capital A)
and Real Chick, you’re going to need that ‘super vision’ when I’m tagging you a small hole in the wall.
Is it THAT obvious, zZz? 😛
IBMs have always, imho, been solid machines. I know plenty of people operating their thinkpads from years ago (with XP, mind you — none of this vista garbage). I always had shitty shitty IBMs, but I blame the software template, more so than the actual hardware construction (though my first IBM’s motherboard was a POS).
it burns me so.
and yes, trimmed down, blazing fast XP.
Haven’t tinkered with Win7 yet.
heard some good and bad things….
though I still run several old P4’s so I’m not what’s considered a processing powerhouse by any means.
Yeah, I’ve heard win7’s just vista with a couple service packs.
I don’t really expect to be wow’d by microsoft.
Win 7 is more slimmed down… not the obese fucker vista was.
can’t help ya out Real Chick if you don’t message me….
or are you now certain I’m a serial killer?
If you’d rather not, I’d still recommend greenlyph as your goto point.
they’re awesome and helpful.
I’m going to be tinkering with a copy of win7 I ‘found’ recently….
you may just get some ranting out of it.
I know it’s Microshaft but it had better not suck…
RealChick no like me anymore…..
I is sad.
:*-[