[svlug] Laptop horrors: AC Power supply breakage

[Jeffrey Siegal]

Karsten M. Self wrote:

 > There's this thing called a design envelope, Raph, and laptops falling
 > off of desks should fall within this.  Not frequently, needs be, but
 > some basic shock tolerance.

Maybe it should be, but I'm afraid it really isn't.  Most laptops are 
very shock sensitive and can be damaged even by putting them down on a 
table too hard.  Probably the number one complaint about laptops is damage.

 > You'll note that automobile manufacturers have these little events
 > they call "recalls".  That's not 'coz they want to do them.
It's mostly 'cos they're worried about the liability that could occur 
should someone get injured. Not applicable to the issue of a fragile laptop.

I agree caveat emptor is applicable here.  Laptop reviews should include 
durability testing (unfortunately, should is not the same as do) and 
buyers should pay attention close attention to these tests.

Of course, none of this excuses bad customer service, or refusal to 
honor a warranty on a failure which has not been clearly shown to be due 
to damage.  It could well have been a bad connection to begin with, or 
even damaged prior to delivery.  There is no way to know that your drop 
caused the problem, especially since it did not occur immediately 
thereafter.  The manufacturer should give you the benefit of the doubt, 
unless they can show otherwise.