[jenlindseys]

I hear ya Shira-
I guess I take for granite that I have grown up with computers and know quite a bit about them. If I don't know something, I typically know enough to be able to take it apart and figure it out or go to the right resource and fix it.

I also want to have an up to date machine which means I will need to purchase updates or buy a new computer about every 3 years anyhow. Laptops are funny things and many many people make the mistake of pouring their coffee (or whiskey) into the keyboard, so warranties can be a good thing. Different things for different people, but I am pretty picky with where I spend my money and I just look at it this way-
I'll save the money now...and if I mess something up, it is my fault I have to spend more later. Hah. Others assume that something will go wrong and they will need to get it fixed.

On a side note- even if you don't purchase the warranty....I have yet to find a computer that doesn't offer manufacturer warranty. They even pay for shipping and I had very good experiences going through Gateway. Sometimes those warranties last for 2 years. It just depends. This covers and core hardware issues. I had the power button of my gateway get jammed inside the case (yeah kind of stupid), but they did replace the whole case to my Gateway!