Lenovo Y series (Y550)

[coldmeat]

I'm considering buying this laptop because of the boxing day coupon. I've been looking for a laptop for school and came across this one last night. From what I'm reading in reviews it's a pretty decent machine. I'm looking for something that looks good, has good battery life, and is built fairly solid.

Laptop

With the boxing week coupon, it comes to about $559. This is a little more than other brands (HP, Asus, etc.) with the same specs, but I like the looks, and the better battery life. I'm reading something like 3 - 3.5 hours while browsing the internet and using word.

For anyone who can't click the link,

T6600 2.2Ghz
4GB DDR3
320GB HDD
15.6" 720p LED
Integrated graphics (I have a gaming pc)
HDMI port (I like this)
Windows 7 64-bit

I would prefer the Y450, because of the smaller size and slightly better battery, but I've been reading that it has issues with heat. It may not be all of them, but I don't want to take the chance.

I think I'm going to get the extended warranty. This is my first laptop and it would make me feel more comfortable using it with a 2 year warranty and accidental damage protection.

I'd just like to put this out there and let you guys look it over. If there is anything that stands out to you that would make you reconsider this laptop, let me know.

I also have a question about the extended warranty. Has anyone bought one from Lenovo before? I'm looking through the available ones and I see "2 yr warranty and 2 yr ADP" and "2 yr ADP and 1 to 2 yr warranty extension". What is the difference? Is there some warranties that only apply to specific models?

 

[MichaelD]

I think it's a very nice, quality laptop. Being that you don't need discrete graphics, this is a good buy. You pay a little more for a Lenovo, but you get what you pay for.

Before you buy the extended warranty be sure of what it covers. ADP=Accidental Damage Plan. I.E. you drop it, spill a soda in it, etc. ADP's can get expensive so look into it carefully.

OTOH, if they have a decent price on the normal, extended warranty, go for it. You have to consider the cost of the warr vs. cost of replacing the HD or wireless card...or screen. Four years ago when I bought my ACER lappy, they were offering a 2-year extended warr for the price of the 1-year. Couldn't pass that up.

Good luck!

 

[coldmeat]

Well, now I'm kind of leaning towards the Y450 (14 inch) because I will mostly be using this laptop away from my desk, and if I need a big screen, I have my pc. The Y450 is $676, which is kind of pushing my budget, expecially with an extended warranty. Well, it's not so much a budget, just how much money I'm comfortable spending.

I also have another question about warranties. Say I buy the extended warranty (1 yr to 2 yr) and after 15 months it breaks. Is my laptop still under warranty for the other 9 months after getting repaired?

 

[MichaelD]

I also have another question about warranties. Say I buy the extended warranty (1 yr to 2 yr) and after 15 months it breaks. Is my laptop still under warranty for the other 9 months after getting repaired?

If I'm interpreting you correctly, you're asking "If I have my laptop repaired under warranty, does the coverage continue even though they fixed it under warranty once already?"

Yes, it sure does continue. "Warranty Period" is just that; the period from start to finish when you're covered. Doesn't matter if they have to fix it 10 times during the coverage; you're covered.

 

[coldmeat]

Ok. I just got off the phone with Lenovo, and they told me that they don't have extended warranties for the Y450. Kinda suspicious. What do they know about it that I don't?

 

[MichaelD]

Ok. I just got off the phone with Lenovo, and they told me that they don't have extended warranties for the Y450. Kinda suspicious. What do they know about it that I don't?

Huge companies operate on economy of scale. Possibly, due to the larger screen, on a per-unit basis they cost more to fix under warranty? (Just guessing on this).

Search for reviews of said lappy; see what people say. If I had the money I'd buy a Y550 with the 1GB Nvidia card today...but my budget is more like the under-$400 netbook world. :\

 

[coldmeat]

Ok, well it seems that they sell extended warranties for Ideapads in the US, just not in Canada. The girl on the phone said that they might become available sometime in the next year.

 

[MichaelD]

IMO, it's a Lenovo, and a nice laptop, not a price-leader netbook. I really don't think you can go wrong with a Lenovo laptop.

 

[coldmeat]

I think I'll order it later today. If they add the option later to extend the warranty, and I still want it then, then I will get it. I just don't understand why they don't offer it.

Thanks for your help Michael.