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Thread ID: 119489	2011-07-25 10:29:00	Life of Equipment	johcar (6283)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1219042	2011-07-26 05:14:00	I just don't see how a $500 netbook should last 5 years, does that mean a $1500 should last 15 years. Netbooks have always been a cheap alternative for a reason. But hey, if you can get the CGA to cover it for 5 years I say good on ya	plod (107)
1219043	2011-07-26 05:25:00	This thread is all about the EeePC I bought for my daughter in late October 2009 . It's had a motherboard replaced (under warranty, at about 6 months), a charging problem (fixed in October last year) and another motherboard repair by the authorised agent (about 3 months ago - due to liquid damage which my daughter didn't tell me about!) . Now the power plug (the female bit in the machine) is buggered and they say it can't be repaired . (I think I got a lemon with this one! Asus machines aren't usually unreliable . ) I recently chucked my Toshiba M33 because it had an overheating problem that wasn't worth repairing . It was 7 years old and still going strong (apart from the overheating problem) . So I'm personally of the opinion that an absolute bare minimum of three to four years of usability for a netbook wouldn't be an unreasonable expectation - I look after my gear, as does my daughter . The EeePC is only 21 months old . And despite the portability of these units potentially putting them more in harm's way than say, a desktop, I would maintain that they have been built for that purpose (portability), so should be able to handle being moved (but not abused) . Thanks for everyone's input . . . BTW: Consumer advise me: Thanks for your email regarding the problems with your Asus computer . We too would have thought that 21 months was not a reasonable period of time for the computer to last . Whether you are entitled to demand a replacement may come down to what caused the latest failure . If it is related to the spillage of liquid, for example, then it won't be covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act . Apart from that, however, especially given the failures that you have had since the computer was bought, it must be said that it's unacceptable after 21 months for the computer to be unrepairable . We'd suggest standing your ground and demanding a replacement . The current failure has nothing to do with the liquid damage, which was fully repaired by the Authorised Agent . . . .	johcar (6283)
1219044	2011-07-26 05:32:00	go for it then. i've had my laptop for 2 1/2 years, i've had to replace k/b due to a liquid spill, two charger due to the cable snapping and a battery which gave out recently. i'll generally keep stuff going till it dies for good or it is necessary to upgrade otherwise, ie my cell is on the old telecom network and i will have to upgrade to a new phone on the XT network which is fine	GameJunkie (72)
1219045	2011-07-26 07:04:00	So as your daughter looks after things how did the liquid damage occur then?	Snorkbox (15764)
1219046	2011-07-26 07:10:00	So as your daughter looks after things how did the liquid damage occur then? Maybe the dog peed on it :devil	gary67 (56)
1219047	2011-07-26 07:11:00	A friend bought a Compaq about a month ago from DS and already it has a dead HD. Am going to take it in tomorrow and chew on their ear.	mikebartnz (21)
1219048	2011-07-26 10:16:00	I just don't see how a $500 netbook should last 5 years, does that mean a $1500 should last 15 years. Netbooks have always been a cheap alternative for a reason. But hey, if you can get the CGA to cover it for 5 years I say good on ya Warranty periods are not based on the price of the product, in years gone by the smallest and cheapest CTV carried the same warranty as the most expensive console. In today's market the manufacturer may set their warranty at the level they want to support, but the CGA overrides that and says the customer has a right to a reasonable life expectancy. If a piece of trim falls off after three years or so the CGA would not support a claim, but if the screen failed, or the MB died, the CGA provisions would certainly step up to the plate and take a serious look if you decided to challenge the supplier. They can argue their 1, 2 or 3 year warranty till they are blue in the face, but if it has not been abused yet hasn't given the service life a reasonable consumer might expect, the CGA will be there for you, and you are odds-on to win. Retailers prey on Consumer ignorance, that is how they get away with selling extended warranties that the consumer does not need, but they have so many outs in them you'd be lucky to have the claim accepted unless the device exploded and wiped out half your family and the cat from next-door. However, they can't contract out of the CGA! My barber's TV died after the warranty expired and I advised him to follow it up. He got a new replacement without using the CGA, just by knowing his rights. Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
1219049	2011-07-26 10:23:00	So as your daughter looks after things how did the liquid damage occur then? I believe it was a flatmate.... EDIT: a clumsy one... Irrespective of the liquid damage, the unit to look at is like new, and the keyboard and screen unscratched and undamaged. At least they were when I gave it to the retailer...	johcar (6283)
1219050	2011-07-26 11:43:00	Warranty periods are not based on the price of the product, in years gone by the smallest and cheapest CTV carried the same warranty as the most expensive console. In today's market the manufacturer may set their warranty at the level they want to support, but the CGA overrides that and says the customer has a right to a reasonable life expectancy. If a piece of trim falls off after three years or so the CGA would not support a claim, but if the screen failed, or the MB died, the CGA provisions would certainly step up to the plate and take a serious look if you decided to challenge the supplier. They can argue their 1, 2 or 3 year warranty till they are blue in the face, but if it has not been abused yet hasn't given the service life a reasonable consumer might expect, the CGA will be there for you, and you are odds-on to win. Retailers prey on Consumer ignorance, that is how they get away with selling extended warranties that the consumer does not need, but they have so many outs in them you'd be lucky to have the claim accepted unless the device exploded and wiped out half your family and the cat from next-door. However, they can't contract out of the CGA! My barber's TV died after the warranty expired and I advised him to follow it up. He got a new replacement without using the CGA, just by knowing his rights. Cheers Billy 8-{) I never mentioned warranty, only CGA, which I thought stipulated the more expensive something was the longer it should last. $100 TV or $1000 TV. Surely the CGA wouldn't suggest their have the same lifespan	plod (107)
1219051	2011-07-26 22:56:00	Warranty periods are not based on the price of the product, in years gone by the smallest and cheapest CTV carried the same warranty as the most expensive console. Not quite 100% correct, the actual wording under the CGA: (CGA) says products must be durable, based on what a reasonable person would expect given the type of product and the price paid. The CGA also takes price into account. In general, a more expensive appliance should last longer than a cheaper model which does the same job. But ... the CGA does not apply when the damage was caused by inappropriate use or care of the appliance.	wainuitech (129)
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