When picking a computer you probably consider the following:

• What color?
• How it looks?
• How large is the screen?
• Then computer specs last.

But what you didn’t know is that a computer from a brand like Dell, Acer, Compaq and etc. many include a End-User-License-Agreement (EULA). This hidden agreement may say that you don’t have rights to your computer, wait a minute I thought I owned my computer? You maybe asking yourself right now; well you do, but with some limitations as stated in your EULA.

Why Does Companies have a EULA?

The End-User-License-Agreement (EULA) is to protect the companies rights and responsibilities to your computer. This can be the companies right to modify your copy of Windows Operating System, add spyware, copy protection, trail software and not provide an actual hard copy of the Operating System. Some limitations limit your use of your Windows Operating System, making it so you cannot move your Operating System to another computer. In the old days laptop (notebook) computers had hardware that was not compatible with a Genuine retail copy of Windows, this forced the consumers to buy a modified version from the laptops manufacturer directly; Today laptops now have a Windows Certificated sticker to state that you can use any Genuine copy of Windows.

Companies that make computers such as Dell actually do make some of the parts in your computer, this makes the company obligated to provided a manufacturers warranty. The EULA states that you the owner of the computer cannot change or modify any part of the computer that was specifically manufactured by that company. If something did go wrong, only the company that manufactured the parts can deal with the problem, Authorized Dealers or Authorized Repair Shops can contact the company on your behalf, sometimes replace the parts themselves or send the computer to the company.

Computers over 3 years of age are limited to manufacturers supply or extra parts in storage, you may of wondered why the longest duration the warranty can be is 3 years, this is because every 3 years there is a major change in technology. A change in the standards and computer technology changes every 3 years, as well over the 3 year time span a company can update or change the computer model 3-9 times providing a limited storage of extra parts.

Warranties what can I do without Voiding it?

As all companies say “You bought it, and you can do anything you want with it, but remember you may void your warranty” is right, so what won’t void your warranty?

Warranties cover mainly the parts the company manufactured themselves, this warranty includes whatever was sold with the computer. User changeable parts are parts that was not manufactured by the company that made your computer, these are standardized parts that you can buy anywhere, upgrade or replace at anytime without voiding your warranty.

Custom made Computers?

Specialty computers made by small companies that do not manufacture there own computer parts are often called Computer Assemblers, these custom made computers are assembled with individually purchased parts.

Custom computers in Canada are not cheaper than Brand name manufacturers as some people think, Brand name manufactures make there own parts and buy in bulk, so they can cut costs and quality.

Custom computers have individual parts made by specialty companies providing higher quality, more flexibility and options. These parts all have an individual manufacturer warranties and can be replaced or upgraded at anytime, providing the owner full rights and ownership of their computer.

So What Should I Do?

Although Desktop computers have the option to buy a custom made computer from a assembler, Laptops do not, keep everything I said in mind when buying a computer.

Important thing to look for while buying a Computer?

• 3 Year Warranty
• Genuine Operating System
• No Trail Software or other Installed Software

These 3 things are all you really need to look for in addition to all the other things that I’ll leave to you. If you need more advice about buying a computer, please read my Computer Buyers Guide article.

Thank you for reading,
~
Patcoola

 

 

 

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