Hi guys,

I’ve been reading the posts at this forum recently as I’m interested in buying a TR. Thanks to everyone for answering many of my questions already through their posts - it really helps to get the user’s perspective.

I have a couple of issues I was hoping you could help me with before I rush out and mortgage my soul to buy one of these little darlings.  I am writing a PhD and will be travelling for research and conferences over the next couple of years, so it sounds like a perfect match.

I live in Australia and here the TR is retailing for AU$4300, which currently works out equalent to US$3300 - otherwise known as insanely expensive, and is more than I have ever paid for anything yet!  I don’t have a lot of money, but I’m willing to take out a loan and make an investment in a good, portable laptop as it is a crucial tool for me.

I’m going to be in Hawaii at the end of June and I would really like to pick up a TR while there (maybe get it shipped to the hotel, since most retailers will not ship electronics internationally) and save around $1300 US. 

So here’s the problem:

Sony provides crap warranty for what is quite an expensive product - whether I buy it in Australia or the US.  They have a 1 year standard warranty which only applies in the country you buy it in.  I was quoted $110 AUS by Sony Australia to extend this to an ‘overseas warranty’ which will only last the initial 12 months and only cover certain countries(apparently one can get the same thing in the US as well).  There is nothing available after that, at any price.  For god’s sakes, it’s not like Sony is a two-person enterprise making laptops in someone’s shed at cut-throat margins - they are a well-resourced international company!

This is the only thing putting me off buying the TR.  For an ultraportable that is presumably aimed at people travelling a lot and computing on the go, there is nothing portable about the warranty and support! 

I would ideally like at least a 3 year international warranty, hopefully including accidential damage, and I am happy to pay a certain amount of money for this.  What I don’t want is to spend a premium on a laptop that if it dies in a year’s time, it will cost me a fortune I don’t have to fix.

I’ve noted the issues people have had with the plastic casing breaking, as well as other things that can go wrong, and I want to be covered for such eventualities. 

I love the TR, but I need a warranty. Help!

how about just using your travel insurance on the tr instead of messing with a warranty, that’s what i plan doing instead of getting an extended warranty

you do know that there’s a difference between travel and extended warranty, right? The latter covers defects, including wear and tear whilst the latter cover everything else (I think).

I’ll check out the travel insurance option.  But after a year, that would mean I was only covered while travelling.  Can you insure a computer against theft as well as faults?  Anyone know? 

*shuffles off to do some research*

I’m pretty sure they have theft insurance.  I know for sure you can get “tracking” services for your notebook should you lose it.

That’s always useful, but I’m more worried about the screen or the motherboard dying on me for example in 12 month’s time after the sony warranty runs out - expensive things to fix.

if your not travelling you should be able to gett insured under your household insurance

Based on my understanding, I don’t think so. I have bought extended warranty and electronic insurance for my TR. The former covers fault and the latter covers the rest, including theft and accidents.