Jernie's Hub

I was quite disappointed with my 1 year and a half Samsung R70 Despina notebook. It was running perfectly but one fine day it showed a hardware problem message and I just switched it off and booted back-up. It worked fine for a couple of hours but later on gave-up, I got nothing on display at all. I sensed it was either a video card problem or my display mechanism because the hard disk was showing activity. I feared if its the video card as it might call for a mother board replacement which most of the time means buying a new one. Since, I don't have the right tools to conduct further test, I took it to a computer service center. Not long enough they confirmed it's the video card problem. On the other hand, the technician was asking where did I got my notebook as it is not available in Canada. True, Samsung notebooks are marketed only in Europe. I am disappointed because I was expecting more from a Euro 1,200 (almost CAD 2,ooo) notebook.

I was quite surprised because the first Samsung notebook we had never gave us a problem. We just replaced it after 2 years when the computer case fell off from the baggage cart and rolled down the elevator. A piece from the computer flap came off. But it never had a major down-time. That's why I opted for Samsung R70 which really had a good specifications, sleek design and light. Out of curiosity, I browsed thru the internet to check what really was the problem, was it isolated to the video card or the specific model as a whole. There I came across with online forums discussing the same issue and problem I have. I then verified the warranty of my computer and it carries a 1 year international warranty and 2 years local warranty. I logged a complaint at the Samsung service center if there is a way for my computer to be fixed here in Canada. I was impressed with their response time but not so with the solution they are offering. I had to send my computer to Germany and they will fix it but they won't be able to send it back to me here in Canada. So with this situation on hand, I got no other option but to send my computer for repair and get a new one here in Canada. Well then, I got DHL on the line for the mechanics and details of sending a computer to Germany.

So, what options do I have now? I don't even know how long will it take for my computer to be fixed. Although my husband has his private computer (apart from his business one), he didn't welcome the idea that I will share with his notebook because I am notorious in setting-up the computer my way and we will be on top of each other who can use it. So, my husband was insisting to get a new one. We drove to Heartland commercial complex where two major computer and electronics shops are located: Future Shop and Best Buy. We looked at the notebooks/laptops on display. Sony, Toshiba and Dell are the ones in my shortlist. Considering my requirements, the Dell Studio notebook met the closest: 4GB RAM, 250 GB hard disk, Dual Core processor, though its not centrino but its ok just for the mean time), with wireless N network adapter, with HDMI port, slot loading disc drive and good size.

When I have decided to take the notebook, I was asked if I would like them to setup and optimise the computer and if I would want to have a recovery and utilities software CDs for CAD 99.99. Well, I want to do the setup myself but I do want the CDs. Although, the recovery program is in the hard disk (Partition D), I would still prefer to have the CDs and of course, for that I have to pay CAD 70. I was shocked for a moment, but quickly realised that I am in a different part of the world. As far as I know, when I buy a computer the Operating System and Utilities CD are included and I don't have to pay for it. And here's another blow, the international warranty again is not included. So, I have to decided to take 2 years or 3 years coverage. I needed a few moments to grasp and understand what am I going to do. So I asked the Salesperson to give us some time to decided. Whatever marketing strategy or technique they have, I couldn't understand why do they have to do this. If I am a buyer, I want to buy a complete package. It's like buying a cutlery set, with a certain price, then you will be asked you want also to have forks along with the spoons then you have to pay this more, if you want to have knives too, well we have to add this much on top. Isn't it that these things belong together?
I was expecting that if I buy a notebook, the computer has been set-up already at least the basic operating system, the software CDs should come along with it for repairs and maintenance purposes, and of course the warranty should also be there at least a standard 2 years. Then I will look at the price. It's a lot simpler. That's the system I know so far. Anyway, while I was discussing things with my husband the Salesperson came. In fairness, she was thinking if she can be of help. She told us that we could also buy the unit thru financing)/instalment scheme. Politely, I told her thanks for your concern but that was not an issue. If we buy things like these we always get them thru outright purchase. I asked her further on the warranty terms and policies and later on decided to take the 2 years coverage. Also, since the CDs alone would cost me CAD 70 dollars so I might as well pay the 30 for the set-up and optimisation. So, we settled everything and was told to wait for another 2 hours for the setup.

Later on, I realised I made a mistake, I missed to request them to make a separate partition for my data. For me, it is always important to have my data files in a separate partition for a certain level redundancy. If I needed to reformat the C: drive where the Operating System and the program files are, I don’t need to touch my D: drive. But what they do, they just made a D: partition enough to house the recovery program. So, I had to reformat and repartition my hard disk. So, I paid the 30 dollars for nothing. See, booboo again.

Anyways, I got my new notebook and started setting it up tailored to my needs and likes. We'll see how this Dell notebook performs and I hope I wouldn't have to test or experience the Dell post-sale services too soon.

Some things I would like to advise computer users is that before buying a computer, you should know first how are you going to use it. Then you will have an idea what specifications of computer you would need. From there you can search the kind of computer you would want to have. In this way, you can avoid paying a lot more than what you really need and use. There are entry level users who don't need a high-end computers, some users need for gaming and multi-media applications, some are those advanced users who need more computer resources. Also, it would help to check for forums on computers you are eyeing to get. Some people may have good or bad experiences with it just to have an idea.

Furthermore, computers, electronics and technology devices are driving to have a very different approach than before. I remember few years ago, we used to prefer to buy expensive computers because we thought it will last long. It is worth the money when it stays up and running for a long time. But now it's different, technology develops and rolls fast. Even if the computer still runs but it doesn't have the new whistles and bells which are coming up in the market so, we had to dispose it and get a new one. The same thing applies with the printers, we used to buy good printer so it will serve us long all we have to buy are the consumables like inks. But the marketing strategy has taken us to a different direction. They sell the printers now at a low price and it comes with the inks. However, if we buy a replacement ink alone it will cost almost the same as the printer. So why would I buy an ink? I could also but a new printer with the ink the same price. And this brings me back to a very good example at home. My husband has a very good Onkyo music system in which he invested a few thousand of Euros then. It is still in top condition after more than 20 years. Yes, we can still use it doesn't have the new technology i.e. 5.1 surround system or 7.1 speaker system. On the other, we can't easily get rid of it because it is still really good and it coasted a fortune. But it is time to let go of it. To sum it up, it is not advisable to invest on the highest-end and most expensive stuff because we know that technology changes and we can't keep it forever. Unless, of course you have a budget to invest on these ultra-expensive things and still have the capacity to replace it every few years.

Buy things wisely.