 | winning the warranty game |
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Self-service
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Go on, crawl inside the eMachines T series--as long as you get your parts under warranty. |
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Fixing your own computer hardware doesn't always mean voiding your warranty. Many vendors, PC vendors in particular, are now offering in-warranty self-service options. What does that mean? Well, normally, if you install third-party hardware yourself or if you fix something yourself that's broken, you void your warranty. Under self-service programs, however, if you have a problem with your computer and you know how to fix it, the vendor will send you the necessary part, along with detailed instructions, and you can make the fix yourself without voiding your warranty.
Apple offers such a program, which they refer to as Customer-Installable Parts. eMachines says that it has had great success with its End-User Replaceable Parts program, which is available with the eMachines T series and other PCs. Dell's Parts Replacement Program will even supply third-party hardware during the life of your warranty. If you're proficient enough to install your own hardware, a self-service program can be a great complement to a warranty that doesn't include onsite service. They don't--or shouldn't--cost anything extra, and they can even save you money that you'd otherwise pay to ship your hardware back and forth.
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