Laptop Brand

[PrivClientSG]

I've been a Dell client for many years. I've stuck with them primarily because their top of the line warranty/service/tech support program USED to be the best in the industry. Unfortunately, no longer. The one thing I like -- it's mandatory for me -- is the next-day/onsite repair. I call Dell, they do a diagnosis, run checks, etc. -- and they ship a part via Fed Ex -- and a technician calls me the next day to schedule an appointment to come to my office and repair my laptop.

I don't want to ship the laptop, don't want to drop it off at a service center, etc.

What brand do you use and how do they handle repairs/service? Thanks in advance.

 

[scagnt83]

Im going to pitch a different thought process.

You need a solid backup laptop.

That fixes the warranty turn around time.... but it fixes a much more important issue imo.

What happens if the device is not repairable?
Then you are stuck having to make an emergency purchase for a new work computer. Not an ideal situation.

Imo, a backup laptop is an essential part of running a practice such as ours.

You can find some really nice used laptops out there. Or maybe repair the current Dell and keep as backup.

---

Regarding brands. I've owned multiple Dells in the past. I owned Asus after that and loved it.

Now I have a Surface Tablet ..... at times I wish I opted for the Surface Laptop... but I do love my Surface Tablet.

I highly recommend the Surface line.

Im currently exercising the Warranty for my keyboard. Space key seems to have some kind of debris under it causing it to not depress fully on one side. I called tech support for help with removing the key and cleaning it. They told me to just use the Warranty and get a whole new keyboard. So Im on a bluetooth keyboard for a few days. The send an overnight label and then ship it back overnight.

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If you want next day repairs, I'd suggest hiring a dedicated tech support specialist who is local to you. None of the brands do that anymore as far as Im aware of.

 

[somarco]

Many of the retailers have warranty type services that include remote diagnostic and "repair" which works well for software installs but obviously nothing when it comes to replacing memory, batteries, motherboards, etc.

Except in rare cases, by the time your PC/Mac needs a hardware replacement or upgrade it is probably time to replace the computer. Most of the hardware is durable and rarely needs replacing in the first 5 years. After that you should consider a newer (faster) computer with the capability of maximizing utility from your software.

 

[WinoBlues]

Im going to pitch a different thought process.

You need a solid backup laptop.

That fixes the warranty turn around time.... but it fixes a much more important issue imo.

What happens if the device is not repairable?
Then you are stuck having to make an emergency purchase for a new work computer. Not an ideal situation.

Imo, a backup laptop is an essential part of running a practice such as ours.

You can find some really nice used laptops out there. Or maybe repair the current Dell and keep as backup.

---

Regarding brands. I've owned multiple Dells in the past. I owned Asus after that and loved it.

Now I have a Surface Tablet ..... at times I wish I opted for the Surface Laptop... but I do love my Surface Tablet.

I highly recommend the Surface line.

Im currently exercising the Warranty for my keyboard. Space key seems to have some kind of debris under it causing it to not depress fully on one side. I called tech support for help with removing the key and cleaning it. They told me to just use the Warranty and get a whole new keyboard. So Im on a bluetooth keyboard for a few days. The send an overnight label and then ship it back overnight.

---

If you want next day repairs, I'd suggest hiring a dedicated tech support specialist who is local to you. None of the brands do that anymore as far as Im aware of.

Second the back up and Surface Pros.

My old Surface is the backup to my newer Surface.

 

[Tahoe Ray]

You can use a gig service like HelloTech to meet/test local technicians. When you find one that is reliable, you can hire them off platform (direct).

I don't know of a national company that does what you're asking outside of Geek Squad.

 

[rmhaire]

You guys are trying to make it complicated.

 

[somarco]

You need a solid backup laptop.

Agree, but . . . you also need cloud backup. A backup laptop/tablet + cloud backup is a necessary combo.

I have used Backblaze for several years.

The Leading Open Cloud Storage Platform - Backblaze

Backblaze is a pioneer in robust, scalable low cost cloud backup and storage services. Enterprise hot storage, low cost backup and archive, and more.

www.backblaze.com

FWIW, if you don't have a need for heavy HD/SSD capacity and can operate from the cloud, a Chromebook might be useful.

95% of my daily work is on a Chromebook. For bookkeeping, bank and tax records I have a Windows 11 desktop + 2 HP laptops . . . all with cloud backup. This kind of redundancy may seem excessive but I had a major crash a few years ago and lost a lot of data. I don't care to repeat that error.

 

[Tahoe Ray]

Agree, but . . . you also need cloud backup. A backup laptop/tablet + cloud backup is a necessary combo.

I have used Backblaze for several years.

The Leading Open Cloud Storage Platform - Backblaze

Backblaze is a pioneer in robust, scalable low cost cloud backup and storage services. Enterprise hot storage, low cost backup and archive, and more.

www.backblaze.com

FWIW, if you don't have a need for heavy HD/SSD capacity and can operate from the cloud, a Chromebook might be useful.

95% of my daily work is on a Chromebook. For bookkeeping, bank and tax records I have a Windows 11 desktop + 2 HP laptops . . . all with cloud backup. This kind of redundancy may seem excessive but I had a major crash a few years ago and lost a lot of data. I don't care to repeat that error.

I agree. I use a desktop in my office but a laptop to travel (or just work in another room/outside). The laptop is basically a mirror of my desktop using dropbox for non-sensitive stuff and anything I need that is (like client socials/PHI/etc.) I can pull down from Sharefile.

My laptop could get destroyed and I could just buy a new one and be up and running inside of 30 minutes.

It also doesn't hurt to have a hard drive backup not connected to your devices. I have one that I backup once per month and keep in my safe.

 

[somarco]

hard drive backup not connected to your devices.

External 2TB drives available for $60 or so . . . 5TB for $120 or so.

I used to backup to an external drive but it is faster, more reliable for cloud backup if you have a fast internet.

 

[WinoBlues]

I have personally had more Cell phone crashes than laptop crashes in the last ten years. Backups and home screen screen shots have saved me a lot of time also.