HP laptops and why we need Federal warranty reform | Forum

#1

I found myself this evening, for the umpteenth time, completely boned on account of my work computer disconnecting itself from the internet and refusing to recognize any networks, all for no discernable reason. It is an HP laptop, the third HP I've owned to meet the general description of being garbage.

For my other job, I have been mailed computers to use from home for work purposes. Due to systematic failure to perform various updates mandated by the office, I've kept having to send these back, and the office would mail me a new computer. I'm currently on what is at least the third computer they've sent me. These, too, are all HPs. Or to put it another way, at least five out of six HPs in my possession over the years have been garbage. The sixth is also janky and chances are good I'll have to mail it back at some point too.

In contrast, I've had the same ASUS Chromebook since 2018-2019. While the outer frame is now in the very early stages of starting to come apart, it is still more reliable today than any HP I have ever handled.

What is the takeaway? HP is a borderline fraudulent company which sells laptops at standard laptop prices but with a tiny fraction of standard reliability.

Now, this is partly a rant thread but not entirely. The extremely unequal qualities between different laptop brands have led me to consider a possible solution:

Statutory minimum warranties on all new laptop purchases of, say, three years. Companies that sold less reliable laptops (re: those more likely to need repairs before the end of three years) would eat the costs of this in the form of repairs, instead of said costs being passed onto consumers. And if they tried to re-pass these costs onto consumers in the form of higher upfront laptop retail prices, then at least this would have the side effect of making the true price of laptops (retail + long-term repair) more transparent, and we know that markets work better with more transparent pricing. Indeed, the absence thereof is an often-touted factor in healthcare's ballooning prices.

To enforce this, there ought to be established Federal warranty commissioners, analogous to state insurance commissioners, each overseeing a district and who would have the power to impose fines and other penalties when a laptop manufacturer is caught refusing to perform mandated repairs.

Now, I say laptop because HP desperately needs this kind of oversight, but there are other markets which routinely deal with warranties. Cars, refrigerators, window glass, etc. The same regulatory scheme could apply to all of these.

Thoughts?

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I found myself this evening, for the umpteenth time, completely boned on account of my work computer disconnecting itself from the internet and refusing to recognize any networks, all for no discernable reason. It is an HP laptop, the third HP I've owned to meet the general description of being garbage. For my other job, I have been mailed computers to use from home for work purposes. Due to systematic failure to perform various updates mandated by the office, I've kept having to send these back, and the office would mail me a new computer. I'm currently on what is at least the third computer they've sent me. These, too, are all HPs. Or to put it another way, at least five out of six HPs in my possession over the years have been garbage. The sixth is also janky and chances are good I'll have to mail it back at some point too. In contrast, I've had the same ASUS Chromebook since 2018-2019. While the outer frame is now in the very early stages of starting to come apart, it is still more reliable today than any HP I have ever handled. What is the takeaway? HP is a borderline fraudulent company which sells laptops at standard laptop prices but with a tiny fraction of standard reliability.Now, this is partly a rant thread but not entirely. The extremely unequal qualities between different laptop brands have led me to consider a possible solution: Statutory minimum warranties on all new laptop purchases of, say, three years. Companies that sold less reliable laptops (re: those more likely to need repairs before the end of three years) would eat the costs of this in the form of repairs, instead of said costs being passed onto consumers. And if they tried to re-pass these costs onto consumers in the form of higher upfront laptop retail prices, then at least this would have the side effect of making the true price of laptops (retail + long-term repair) more transparent, and we know that markets work better with more transparent pricing. Indeed, the absence thereof is an often-touted factor in healthcare's ballooning prices. To enforce this, there ought to be established Federal warranty commissioners, analogous to state insurance commissioners, each overseeing a district and who would have the power to impose fines and other penalties when a laptop manufacturer is caught refusing to perform mandated repairs. Now, I say laptop because HP desperately needs this kind of oversight, but there are other markets which routinely deal with warranties. Cars, refrigerators, window glass, etc. The same regulatory scheme could apply to all of these. Thoughts?

#2

@bubbatheclown

warranty

I never use the warranty unless the thing is broken from start. I am simply not someone who keeps fixing things until they can no longer be fixed. I am someone who keeps things in good condition so they last longer, but once they break, I just buy new. Warranty is something which always increases prices of product, so anyone who believes in its usefulness is about as smart as a pencil. My advice is simple: buy from a good brand, and laptop should last for at least a few years. I dont need to tell you that laptops have a very short life span, especially if you carry them around or play games on them which cause heat which causes damage to some parts.

If you want for laptop to last longer, go to power plan and set maximum processor rate to 99%. This greatly prevents overheating, especially if playing games or running demanding programs.

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#3

@bubbatheclown

Rather than make government bigger, and grow it into a space that they will fuck up due to incompetence, wouldn't it be better to just buy the extended warranty?

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#4

Nothing wrong with HP . I mean well from what should be your vantage point. You are probably the issue. It's just struggling to connect to wifi? Can you use a cable to attach it?

Is it the same problem with all of the HPs or a new problem with each one?

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#5

My laptop is a Dell and I have no problems.

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#6

@bubbatheclown

I sometimes think it would be nice to live in a ~~'highly~~ 'more controlled society,

But for me it would 'have to be voluntary and leave-able.

I sometimes think the state should manufacture various products such as cars and computers,

Maximize them for efficiency, long lasting, and recyclability of parts.

. . .

But then again, what if the government is ass?

Panders to companies, cuts corners, insists on no competition?

What if the government like companies 'wants people to have to keep upgrading?

Or claims people don't 'own their computers and cars?

. . .

Consumer wise, I'm not 'too worried about Cars, refrigerators, window glass, and computers.

I think people 'tend to realize when a company sells carp.

Ideally the company gets destroyed by the free market?

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#7

@Leaning

I sometimes think the state should manufacture various products such as cars and computers

State doesnt have a way to calculate prices, and state doesnt have a motive. This is why even military production is private in USA, and of course its most superior. I wouldnt trust government to make a decent sandwich, as proved by USSR's food shortages.

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#8

@SatanLucy

. . . Hm, but there 'are a 'lot of various government run services in America I think.

Post office, Prison, Police, Road Maintenance.

So assumably the state 'can calculate prices,

Though I might worry they calculate poorly.

. . .

Private business has the problem 'of motive and profit.

Searches for the cheapest materials, and encourages people to throw away devices, upgrade, so they can sell more more more.

Not very good for environment or conservation of material.

. . . Though consumerism can be a force, I'm doubtful that it's something we should 'want. When money spent in cheap consumerism could be used to more useful ends.

Could go dual model, state and private enterprise.

State produces bare ~~bricks~~ bones cars.

None of that fancy electric windows or leather seats.

People can still buy more expensive wasteful cars,

But government could build more efficient and available cars.

Social pressures of people buying more efficient cars might encourage most of society to use the government cars.

USSR food shortages, might have various explanations, that would not apply to America.

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. . . Hm, but there 'are a 'lot of various government run services in America I think.Post office, Prison, Police, Road Maintenance. So assumably the state 'can calculate prices,Though I might worry they calculate poorly.. . .Private business has the problem 'of motive and profit.Searches for the cheapest materials, and encourages people to throw away devices, upgrade, so they can sell more more more.Not very good for environment or conservation of material.. . . Though consumerism can be a force, I'm doubtful that it's something we should 'want. When money spent in cheap consumerism could be used to more useful ends. Could go dual model, state and private enterprise.State produces bare <s>bricks</s> bones cars.None of that fancy electric windows or leather seats. People can still buy more expensive wasteful cars,But government could build more efficient and available cars.Social pressures of people buying more efficient cars might encourage most of society to use the government cars. USSR food shortages, might have various explanations, that would not apply to America.

#9

@Leaning

State cannot calculate prices effectively, because that requires profit driven motive. And it cannot calculate costs either. I know what you are thinking, "I will place someone in charge and that someone will be responsible". The responsible only exists in profit driven buisness. Profit driven buisness has every motive to improve in every way to secure profit. State driven buisness has no motive to research prices, constantly seek cost reduction, managing workforce effectively(sometimes requires firing lots of workers)...

There is a reason public schools are shit compared to private schools. Private schools have every incentive to try to improve maximally, their survival as buisness depends on it.

And as for quality of production, if you are buyer who has any brain, you will research which brand offers most quality at decent price. If you are buyer without brain, you will seek cheapest stuff and of course you will end up disappointed because cheapest stuff is most often the worst.

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State cannot calculate prices effectively, because that requires profit driven motive. And it cannot calculate costs either. I know what you are thinking, "I will place someone in charge and that someone will be responsible". The responsible only exists in profit driven buisness. Profit driven buisness has every motive to improve in every way to secure profit. State driven buisness has no motive to research prices, constantly seek cost reduction, managing workforce effectively(sometimes requires firing lots of workers)... There is a reason public schools are shit compared to private schools. Private schools have every incentive to try to improve maximally, their survival as buisness depends on it. And as for quality of production, if you are buyer who has any brain, you will research which brand offers most quality at decent price. If you are buyer without brain, you will seek cheapest stuff and of course you will end up disappointed because cheapest stuff is most often the worst.

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