General Warranty Information

The method of support varies by computer manufacturer and type of warranty.

All models recommended by the College of Engineering as shown on our recommended models page are shown configured with a 3-year warranty.

Beginning in Fall 2008, there will be an on-campus repair technician authorized to work on IBM and Lenovo ThinkPads as well as Apples, as long as the laptops are still under warranty. This service will be available in the new OIT Walk-In Center in the West Dunn Building.

Lenovo
The Lenovo standard warranty covers three years of depot support. In a situation where the laptop cn not be repaired by the on-site technician and needs to be sent away for repair, the Bookstore provides assistance to students in terms of returning the laptop to the depot for warranty repair.

1. When the student experiences a problem, the student calls Lenovo technical support. (In the past, students using the Lenovo 800 support number have reached a technician with very little time on hold.) Tech support helps the student diagnose the problem, and then gives the student a case number.
2. For warranty repair, a prepaid box is sent to the student overnight.
3. The laptop is then shipped overnight to Lenovo depot repair. The repair is usually completed within a day, and the laptop is shipped back overnight.

The entire process takes anywhere from 3 to 5 business days. If the student bought their ThinkPad through the Bookstore, a loaner may be provided, subject to availability.

Apple
The Apples sold through the Bookstore, configured as listed on our purchasing web site for the College of Engineering, come with a three-year warranty. In addition to the authorized on-campus Apple technician, any Apple owner can go to an Apple retail store for assistance; there is one at Crabtree Valley Mall on Glenwood Avenue and another in the Streets at Southpoint mall on I-40 near Durham.

Warranty Recommendations

We recommend at least 3 years parts and labor.

Accidental Damage Protection

The warranty covers parts that break on their own through a defect, not parts that break in an accident, e.g. drops or spills. Some computer manufacturers sell accidental damage protection that is an add-on to the warranty. For example, if you drop your laptop and break the screen, the standard warranty will not cover the damage. Lenovo offers ThinkPad Protection to cover damage. Please keep in mind that this program does not cover theft.

Theft Protection

Loss due to theft is not covered by warranties, but may be covered by insurance. Theft may already be covered by your homeowners' insurance; check your policy for the deductible and other details. If it's not already covered, you may be able to add a rider for it.

NC State is not a particularly dangerous place, but just like any densely populated area, the risk of theft does exist. We recommend that owners of laptops secure their laptops as much as possible. This might involve a cable lock to secure the laptop to a desk in a dorm room, storing the laptop in the trunk of a car rather then the front seat, etc.

Do I need more than a 1-year warranty on a new laptop?

Yes! We recommend at least 3 years parts and labor. The December 2004 issue of Consumer Reports addresses extended warranties:

"You might consider an extended warranty on a laptop computer. Laptops are expensive, fragile, and hard to repair. And the parts are made to fit within the manufacturer's unique case design. For that reason, you should buy the warranty from the computer manufacturer, not from the retailer."

We have specific examples of students who purchased their laptop and extended warranty from a retail store. When the laptop needed to be repaired, the repair process took anywhere from a few weeks to a month. If you purchase a laptop well above the recommended specifications, you might want to consider a 4-year warranty, as long as it is cost efficient.