[BC] notebook suggestions

[Alan Kline]

Stevan A. White wrote:
> If it sprouts legs and walks away, as some do, maybe you won't cry as 
> much when you go replace it with something a little better than the one 
> that walked.  And, you should pick it up on sale at your favorite 
> consumer electronics house.  That's what I did and I saved a ton of 
> money by switching to Gateway.  :-) 

In general, I've been happy with my Gateway 3040GZ. The one exception, 
however, is customer service. The LCD on this unit has failed twice. The 
first was within the original warranty, and was repaired quickly with no 
questions asked. With that repair, I received a letter extending the 
original warranty by 90 days on the repaired parts only.

The LCD failed a second time about a week before that 90 days was to 
expire. I called Gateway, was referred to the corporate HQ, and ended up 
speaking to a very snotty young woman who tried to tell me that no, that 
warranty extension was 90 days from the *date of the first repair*. That 
90 day period would have expired within the original warranty. What good 
would that extension have done me?

Bottom line: Gateway would not honor the extended warranty. They would, 
however, be happy to replace the LCD again for $344. I had a local shop 
do it for about the same.

While I've been happy with the machine, I'd be hesitant about buying 
another Gateway simply based on the customer service.

ak