Ok ok... I finally got a laptop. I went to the local Best Buy after work yesterday and found a Toshiba Satellite M65-S9092. It has a Pentium Centrino 2GHz 2mb L2 cache 512mhz, 1GB PC4200 (512x2) upgradable to 2GB, 100GB HD (5200 RPM), ATI Radeon x600SE 256mb (128-bit) and a 17 inch WXGA (1440x900). I was about to purchase it and in conversation with the sales guy, asked him if he had anything else that had the same size monitor. He mentioned about the Toshiba Qosmio, but it was an "Open-Box" item marked down, I took a look at it and it was all beat to hell. I said, "Nah, but do you have the one I am about to buy in an open box? If so, what difference does it make between a new one." He said, "Nothing, it is in still working order, it just has an open box." I would save about $350, to get an "Open Box" item, if it works just as well as a new model, plus I was going to buy the extended service agreement, which means if anything would happen to it in 3 years that I would be able to get it fixed or replace it with a brand new one. You can't beat that deal. So I went for it. Before I bought it, I took a look at it. The machine itself was brand spanking new, just with fingerprints and stuff and appeared to be used by the previous owner so I would have to slick it when I get home.
Well I got it home and began installing (my very legal copy of) Windows XP Professional. Midway in installation, I got the devious BSD. UUgughgh! What? So ok, I will have to reboot and reinstall the OS. Turned it on, heard the fan come on, then heard the fan cut off.... no OS, no BIOS splash screen... nothing. I did this for 30 minutes, maybe I was doing something wrong. Still nothing, I waited a few more minutes... still nothing. Dang I have to go back to Best Buy. Someone must really not want me to have a laptop!?!?
So my son and I took a trip back to Best Buy. I am laughing all the way there because I was glad I bought the extended warranty and I knew I would be going home with a new laptop! When I got there I explained what happend. They said that they will have to either get me a refund or turn it in for service. Refund? Service? No, I want a new laptop. According to your service agreement, fix it or give me a new one. "Sorry sir, you just recently purchased this item today, we are going to have to send it to the manufacturer to get it repaired." Well how long will this take? "Two weeks..." Two weeks?!?!? I just got it today... "Well we can give you a refund." A refund?! It will take me 2-3 days to show back up on my card!??! Aaarrrgghhhh. I thought about it, my first intentions was to buy it brand new, so I supposed I will just buy a brand new one. I went and told the sales guy that helped me earlier about it, he said then asked to talk to the manager and maybe he could give me a discount. I went back to the counter and that was exactly what they did for me. Sooo, I spent $300 more than I initially did, but saved $100 on what I intended to spend on. Either way, I have a new laptop, I am satisfied and I got a discount on a brand new product rather than the high risk of a used opened boxed product.
Best Buy has moved to my happy list, while Alienware and Dell has moved into my bad list. I still use Dell at work, but you won't catch me buying one.
Posted
Feb 16 2006, 06:41 PM
by
LarryZonka