{"id":1288,"date":"2012-06-23T10:06:00","date_gmt":"2012-06-23T14:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougmunsinger.com\/?p=1288"},"modified":"2012-06-23T10:06:00","modified_gmt":"2012-06-23T14:06:00","slug":"how-not-to-buy-a-laptop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.dougmunsinger.com\/2012\/06\/23\/how-not-to-buy-a-laptop\/","title":{"rendered":"How NOT to buy a laptop"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have a 10.1" Dell Netbook that I love – except… Except that it has an Atom processor and even with an upgrade to 2GB RAM, every once in a while it just chugs, spinning and processing for minutes, unable to respond at all.<\/p>\n

It has a 600 x 1028 screen – it turns out, 768 is really necessary for almost everything and setting the screen resolution to 768 results in a disconcerting float around view of the screen, as the mouse moves you up to the top and then down to the bottom as you move it past the top and bottom edges of the screen.<\/p>\n

And a 5400 rpm hard drive was likely a mistake – I should have upgraded to 7200 rpm and not worried about the extra heat it might add.<\/p>\n

And it won't do full screen netflix – only the smaller window view is possible, just not enough video processing power.<\/p>\n

So – a few flaws.<\/p>\n

I have a 15" Dell I also like. It is fast enough to do anything I ask of it, and with the 9 cell battery it gets decent battery life. But – I take the netbook when traveling because the smaller size makes a huge difference.<\/p>\n

So…<\/p>\n

So it can't be a Dell, because Dell doesn't make an 11" or 12" or even 13" laptop. Mac is just overpriced, sorry, but it is. For $1200.00 I can get a really nice Mac Book Pro at 13", but – for $700.00 I can get more power and run Ubuntu – plus dual boot with Windows 7, which handles those odd windows-only programs.<\/p>\n

The cost needed to be around $600 – $700. I can sell the other two laptops and clear $300 – $500, and get rid of a couple of cameras I am not using ($200 – $400) and this exchange costs me at worst $150 – $200.<\/p>\n

I settled on a Lenovo e220s. The price was right in line, dual core CPU, 4 GB RAM, 768 x 1366 screen resolution, 7200 rpm hard drive (320GB, big enough, though once the price of sata laptop drives comes down enough, I'll throw in a 1TB).<\/p>\n

I found it on Lenovo<\/a> for $764.00. Amazon carried it, from Tiger Direct at $746.00. B and H Photo<\/a> had it at $702.00.<\/p>\n

B and H and I have a long history. I have had really good experiences with them buying camera and photographic equipment. But – it turns out, computers are a completely different story.<\/p>\n

The Lenovo was quickly shipped and arrived the next day. I opened the box, pressed the button, and…<\/p>\n

Nothing. A red light. Nothing else. A complete brick, right out of the box.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

OK, I'll just return it to B and H and order a better model, maybe less likely to be a brick out of the box. Maybe from B and H…<\/p>\n

Looking at their return policy they take back any defective products. Oh, wait. Except for computers. For computers, once you open the box, it's yours. No return. Not even for bricks. You bought a brick and you get to keep it.<\/p>\n

Really? I opened an RMA request with B and H, unable to believe that was the case. I checked on the Internet for previous B and H customer experiences in returning bad computers – and they don't take them back.<\/p>\n

I called Lenovo tech support, and they agreed, this is a brick. They will take it back and fix it and return it, which they say is a 8 day process. Reading on the Internet, that's not the case – more like three weeks. And I still get my brick back. Not an exchange.<\/p>\n

Not a return.<\/p>\n

I walked into this. I based my expectation on previous experience with B and H – they have been fantastic in taking back say, 30D Canons with irretrievably dirty sensors right from the factory, lenses that weren't quite right, in all of that B and H have been just amazing. But – after all that, on this purchase they are draconian and immovable. I also read of Lenovo having quality issues, and shipping out bricks. But – that happens to all manufacturers, and the people who write about their experiences tend to be the extremes – especially the bad. As I write here.<\/p>\n

What's the likelihood of that happening this time? (my experience: 100%) And if it is a brick, I can return it… (Or, not. )<\/p>\n

That means I will not be buying another computer from B and H again, just because the risk of being stuck with this kind of brick is way too high. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here's the return policy<\/a> (emphasis is added)<\/i><\/b>:<\/p>\n

\n

Standard Return Policy: At B&H, our goal is to ensure your complete satisfaction with your purchase. If, for whatever reason, you are dissatisfied with your purchase, you can return it to B&H within 30 days of purchase date. Claims for missing items or items damaged in transit must be received within two business days of receipt of merchandise.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

That would be my expectation and my experience up to this point with B and H Photo. Continuing we have…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

You have the option of exchanging the item(s) or receiving a refund for the full amount of the item purchased . Refunds on returned items will be issued in the same payment form as tendered at the time of purchase. If payment was made by credit card, once we receive the product we will credit your account. Please allow 7-10 days for a credit to appear on your credit card statement. If payment was made by check, the refund check will be issued after 10 business days from the date of purchase.<\/p>\n

Please read all conditions below. If conditions are not met, B&H reserves the right to refuse the return or to charge a restocking fee not less than 15%.<\/p>\n

How to return or exchange an item:<\/p>\n

In order to return an item you need to first obtain an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number.<\/p>\n

To request an RMA number online click here.<\/p>\n

To request an RMA number by phone, call Customer Service at 800.606.6969 \/ 212.444.6615 .<\/p>\n

Place the original package into a shipping carton.<\/p>\n

Please do not place stickers or shipping labels on the original manufacturer\u2019s package.<\/p>\n

The RMA number must be clearly written on the outer box. If you received a label in the email, print the label and tape it to the carton.<\/p>\n

We recommend you ship via insured ground service with a tracking number. Return shipping charges are the responsibility of the customer. We are not responsible for lost or damaged packages.<\/p>\n

Send pre-authorized returns to:<\/p>\n

\nB&H Photo Return Dept.\n63 Flushing Avenue\nBrooklyn Navy Yard, Building# 664\nBrooklyn, N.Y. 11205\n<\/pre>\n
Items purchased from our Used Department are to be returned to:<\/p>\n
\nB&H Photo Used Dept.\n420 9th Ave.\nNew York, NY 10001\n<\/pre>\n
Alternatively, you may return an item to our Returns Department at our New York Superstore.<\/p>\n