With the holidays rapidly approaching, there’s a good chance that you’re going to purchase a laptop, phone or tablet for that special someone. Personal electronic devices like these make fantastic gifts, but at anywhere between $400 up to $2,000 or more, they also come with a justifiably expensive price tag. So, if you’re wondering whether or not to fork out the extra money to purchase an extended warranty for that shiny new device, here’s the answer. Yes, you should. This is why we think it’s so important:

Most of us know that electronics typically come with a standard one-year warranty when purchased new. What we’re usually not so clear about, however, is what to do if the keyboard stops working, or if the screen cracks after that one-year warranty expires. Sure, there are a plethora of repair shops out there that can fix your device, but it’s so hard to estimate the cost. Without a warranty you’ll be paying for parts and labor, which can quickly add up to the cost of replacing the device with a new one. Ouch.

Retailers and manufacturers each have a variety of warranties that you can purchase as added extras to supplement the standard one-year warranty for device repair. Coverage can very greatly based on the warranty you select, so it’s always important to read the fine print. For example, AppleCare, the warranty service provided by Apple for its range of products, only covers manufacturer defects for their Mac products, but covers accidental damage on their iOS devices. Lenovo on the other hand, offers extended warranties that will cover accidental drops, liquid spills, and even allow you to retain your hard drive if it fails.

Technology isn’t perfect, and accidents happen, which is why solid warranty coverage can take the sting out of paying for repairs. So this holiday season, while you’re out shopping for a new device, consider spending the extra money to extend the life of your new laptop, phone or tablet. It will be well worth it in the long run.

Here’s a fun fact: Manufacturers generally give priority to shipping parts for warranty repair, rather than non-warranty.

Curious what your warranty covers? Here’s a list of the devices we service, and each OEM’s warranty policies:

Happy shopping!

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