<p>I'm trying to decide between laptops, and now my deciding factor is going to be tech support. To me, being able to get good (and by good, I mean quick, useful, and delivered in English) help when I need it. So, does anyone have any good insight regarding the tech support from IBM/Lenovo and Sony? Any one have constantly bad experiences with one or the other? How about good ones? Thanks =]</p>
<p>I can say this, Dell does have outsourcing tech support, but if you get the right plan then they go to your home (or dorm I'd imagine..), and repair the computer on the spot, a very sweet deal if you ask me.</p>
<p>But... when it comes to tech support, I would have to say that all of them are crappy. I can at least speak for HP and Dell, but friends of mine who have had other brands say their tech support sucks too...</p>
<p>"I am not knowing.. =( "
~tech support</p>
<p>Sony:Once they have your money they dont care.</p>
<p>IBM/Lenovo:The Pinnacle of consumer support, they go out of there way to please and have the top of the line support. They will pick up ur pc, sameday ship it to depot have it fixed same day and ship it overnight back to you for delivery before 10:00AM. If you tell me a company that does this for standard warrenty please do? For In home support the IBM is also amazing they will have a tech in your home or Business within 4 or 9 hours depending on your warrenty plan. Also you will only talk to Americans in North Carolina and Rhode island. No out sourcing.</p>
<p>Dell: Alot better than sony, thogh you will never talk to an American and will never have a good english speaking tech support guy. The support is also pretty slow compared to the IBM/Lenovo but they are lesser of a company by that means.</p>
<p>Toshiba=****
Acer=****</p>
<p>Asus: is preety good but a little slow, but again the majority of the tech support is in America so thats good. Turnaround on a laptop is either 1-2 weeks.</p>
<p>Apple:they are very stingy and you will talk to a american, thogh again very stingy and they arent about customer service like IBM, they are more this is our Warrenty you agreed to it and thats it no exceptions. The Instore gunius bars are very nice as you can get help with any product thogh most times with notebooks they will need to send your laptop to the depot and it takes about 1.5 weeks.</p>
<p>All in all the only company that can even compete with IBM/Lenovo is Canon and they dont make notebooks. so go with IBM if you really want the top of the top is customer service and satisfaction.</p>
<p>All I've heard about Acer support is crap, just FYI...</p>
<p>IBM is fabulous, I will just say that.</p>
<p>Can anyone with a Sony Vaio tell me about their experiences? That's one I'm really considering...</p>
<p>If you don't mind going through a retail store, Best Buy is awesome since you can basically choose from a wide variety of manufacturers and still retain the same support plan.</p>
<p>I'll try not to sound like a bad telemarketer, I've just been in the market for laptops and was impressed with what they offer. Basically you pay $250 for a 3 year warranty that covers anything except damage you inflicted (hit with a hammer, run over with a car), so like accidental drops (what I'm worried about in college), and any type of wear and tear is covered, in addition to viruses or any software problems you come across. </p>
<p>The new "Geek Squad" they have is very useful: definately american and know their ****, fix the computer up fast and without needing to mail it to a manufacturer, and could be right down the street, depending on where you live. So yes, it's going to be more expensive than manufacturer help but as far as I gathered, it's quick and easy; which, to me is important since I hate being on the phone with someone thousands of miles away, that may have no idea what I'm talking about, or having to be without my computer for weeks while they fix it.</p>
<p>I've only worked with Dell and Apple and I didn't have any issues with either.</p>
<p>BusinessGuy, I don't believe in extended accidental insurance plans. Insuring small items is pointless. Only insure big things like houses.</p>
<p>A laptop is worth insuring unless laptop LCDs drop to a price that is reasonable in the event one has to be replaced. Until then, 4 year accidental coverage is worth the extra $350.</p>
<p>Yes I'm with Strykur, I could understand with something cheap and easily replaced, but laptops cost upwards of $2000 for nice ones, and at a minimum, around $700. </p>
<p>I would think $250 is a small price to pay when you may have to replace it because you drop it a week later, that wouldn't be covered under any manufacturer warranty so you're basically screwed and have to buy a new one.</p>