Our 1st computer was a Gateway, we purchased it in 2000. It lasted 8 years. Our second computer was purchased just one year and 9 months ago. It overheated and the mother board is fried. We need a new computer. It only had a one year warranty, and I feel a computer should last at minimum 3-4 yrs. Is that expecting too much?

HP has given me HORRIBLE customer service. Just horrible. I don't expect a full refund, but I think I should be given some sort of credit for their faulty product. (This particular model is known for overheating issues.) The tech support guys I have spoken to have been very rude. They will not let me speak to a supervisor...they keep making excuses and putting me on hold....

So...I will be shopping for another computer, but refuse to buy another HP product.

Have you had good experience with a particular company?

I'd love to give a reputable company with good customer service my business.

I've had terrific luck with Dell products...I can't vouch for the customer service because I've never had to call.

MAC MAC MAC MAC!! :) Love it!!

You didn't say PC only so this is my two cents. Customer service is superb!

MAC baby MAC!!

I also had a horrible experience at first calling HP and trying to get my laptop fixed when it overheated constantly. I finally got them to fix it for free (it was 2 months after the warranty had expired) because the laptop had burned my leg because it was so hot. I did get the direct number of someone in "executive customer relations" if you want it.

After being a die-hard PC user for YEARS...made the switch to MAC a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. LOVE their customer service!

If you are willing to consider Mac, then they are a good choice. If you want/need to stick with a Windows machine, I recommend Dell. You can buy an extended warranty good for up to 4 years. We just had a problem with AVP's laptop that is a month shy of it's 4th anniversary. Dell had a tech out next day who replaced the motherboard, screen and a couple of other components and solved the problem.

Having been an employee of Gateway/Acer for over 4 years, I have a bias. But I will say, different models of any brand are going to be hit or miss. You can have great luck with a generic built by a shop computer and rotten luck with the top of the line Dell, HP or Gateway. I would not worry about brand as I would about reviews of the particular model and it's components. I tend to look at price point which is why Apple is never an option for me. I just can't justify paying twice as much for half the processing power. I refuse to pay $1000 more for a shiny white box and a slightly different OS. Vista had its problems, but Windows 7 has run great for me in beta and I have heard nothing but good things about it. If you are still concerned about the software, get Windows XP.

I've had pretty good experiences with Dell, though you'll find plenty of Dell horror stories out there. Lately it's been all Apple for me, and their customer service, the few times I've needed it, has been exemplary.

Mac user since 1988, before that it was "Apple". Doc's had Macs since 1984.

I have had to go to visit the Mac geniuses a few times over the years - sometimes it was my "fault" sometimes it wasn't. I, obviously, love my computer. I'm very happy with the customer service. Very.

My son was a Mac Genius for Halloween. :D

Adrienne

Mac here. And AppleCare. My kids have had iBooks since they were little. (EA had issues that he used his iBook in class from 3rd grade on.) Escape Artist once dropped his Lime iBook out of our van onto cement. It wasn't pretty. AppleCare covered it without a problem. This was maybe 10 years ago. We have always had Applecare on the products.

Mac user since 1988, before that it was "Apple". Doc's had Macs since 1984.

I have had to go to visit the Mac geniuses a few times over the years - sometimes it was my "fault" sometimes it wasn't. I, obviously, love my computer. I'm very happy with the customer service. Very.

My son was a Mac Genius for Halloween. :D

Adrienne

could he be ANY CUTER!?? I think no

also loving the pumpkn

I'm very happy with the customer service. Very. It definitely depends on your problem. Tony has an issue with his new Mac, and the Genius we've talked to is vaguely aware of the issue, but they can't perform the needed repair in the Genius Bar. For Tony to get his computer fixed, he'll have to send it out for a minimum of a week, which just isn't an acceptable option.

Dell, on the other hand, sent the technician to US when my computer needed warranty repair.

That's not a Mac vs. PC thing, that's a Mac vs. Dell thing. On the other hand, we had a Dell with a faulty A drive, and Dell was absolutely no help. One technician instructed Tony to download/upgrade a certain piece of software, and once he did so and it didn't solve the problem, the next technician told him that he'd invalidated our warranty by doing what the first guy told him to do. The A drive was NEVER repaired.

AVP

could he be ANY CUTER!?? I think no

also loving the pumpkn

Thanks. :) He was very very proud of his costume, can you tell?

Adrienne

Mac is always the way I go. I usually go to our local Mac store (not an "Apple" store). It's a private business and they do good work. I do hate having to send it in or leave it there but I have had to do it so rarely that I can handle it. I like my apple's software better too. I can EASILY make great DVDs and I have so many little widgets that I just love it.

For Tony to get his computer fixed, he'll have to send it out for a minimum of a week, which just isn't an acceptable option. I don't care for the Genius Bar. I call Apple Care, let them try and fix me over the phone, then they send me a box to ship it in, and it is usually 3 days later I have my computer back.

I don't care for the Genius Bar. I call Apple Care, let them try and fix me over the phone, then they send me a box to ship it in, and it is usually 3 days later I have my computer back.

Maybe it's the genius bar I use. We go to the same Genius bar just about always - they always have appointments available (I can get there at store opening so that helps and it's near Doc's work if it's a week he drives carpool) and we've had to leave a computer once or twice but we've had decent luck with Geniuses there.

Adrienne

My son was a Mac Genius for Halloween. :D

Oh so your son went as my son?? JK;)

My two cents: MAC MAC MAC!

My son doesn't technically work for Apple but he should! He is my personal Mac Geek.

Thanks for your replies, everyone!

It sounds like a Mac is the way to go, but it's just not in our budget right now.

I am still dealing with incompetent people at HP. I PM'd you, alexandrasmom. ;)

My kids really needed a computer (for homework) so I finally went to Best Buy and Costco yesterday and ended up with a Gateway. Costco has a 90 day return policy, and a 2 year warranty. So far, so good. I'm still seeing what I can do with the other computer. It would be nice to have 2 in our house! (Yes, we are seriously behind the times!)

Very cute pictures, Adrienne. I love Sorcerer Mickey and his Mickey Jack-O-Lantern.

I highly suggest looking for a refurbished Apple computer. You can look for them on their website. You can find almost brand new computers at great deals.

While Apple does generally offer decent customer service (although there are plenty of horror stories out there, just like with any company), do keep in mind that switching platforms is a large investment, both in cost and time. If the Windows platform is working ok for you, I don't really see any justification on switching to the Mac simply because of Apple's customer service.

Yes, I know you can run Windows on a Mac, but there really isn't much point in buying one unless you actually plan to make the switch to Mac OS.

-Jeff