According to Squaretrade, an online vendor of extended warranties, more than 20% of all notebooks will encounter a major failure within 3 years. And its not limited to the lesser PC manufacturers! Check out the chart attached – what is most surprising is that Apple, which prides itself on quality and reliability was in the middle of the pack with a 17.4% failure rate; one that was bested by Sony, Toshiba and Taiwan’s Asus (often thought of as unreliable).

We at Observer Publishing have told you that extended service plans are a high margin profit pool for the computer manufacturers. For instance, if we go to Dell.com a 3 Year extended warranty (additional 2 years ‘at home’) costs an additional $260 (Inspiron 15 – price 11/24/09). The cost to Dell on that service plan can’t be more than $100.

Here’s what you have to factor into your next Notebook purchase:
1) The system won’t last more than 4 years without a repair (perhaps a drastic statement, but better to be safe)
2) Based on this data, figure out what is better to spend: $250-$300 now to ensure you’re covered through year 3? or save that money and figure out later if the computer is worth fixing or throwing out
3) In either case, especially in this era of $399 – $599 computers, BACK UP YOUR INFORMATION, preferably on an online service like MOZY. The most painful part of having a computer die on you isn’t replacing the computer – its replacing the information (files, pictures, music, etc…) that you’ve lost.

• 17″ Dell Inspiron 17 Laptop for $449 plus free shipping (normally $599).
• 15.6″ Dell Inspiron Laptop for $399 plus free shipping (normally $743 – use coupon code40M?6?W03KFH93).
• 11.6″ Dell Inspiron 11z LED Laptop for $415 plus free shipping (normally $449 – use coupon code $9532Z?LL5DB9$).
• 23″ Dell SP2309W Widescreen LCD with Webcam for $229.00 plus free shipping(normally $319).

• 15.6″ Dell Vostro A860 Laptop for $399 with free shipping (normally $549.99 – use coupon code 4ZBXHXW$W33R05 ).
• 24″ Dell S2409w Widescreen LCD for $189.00 plus free shipping (normally $279).

CNET’s Crave Blog had an opportunity to take Dell’s new Adamo XPS notebook out for a test drive. We here at DellObserver.com shared with you teaser pictures which had been leaked teased by the company.

Turns out that the Adamo can only be opened by “rubbing” a sensor on the front of the case. I guess this takes affection for a gadget to all new heights not seen since the debut of the “RealDoll” back in the early 2000’s?

• 13″ Lenovo IdeaPad U350 Laptop for $449 plus free shipping (normally $700 – use coupon code:USPU3525).
• 16″ Dell Latitude Z Laptop for $1799 plus free shipping (normally $2000).
• 23″ Dell ST2310 LCD for $149 plus free shipping (normally $229).

Sexy Is, As Sexy Does

Lenovo IdeaPad U350 – 296325U Laptop specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo SU2700 ULV Processor (1.30GHz 800MHz 2MB)
• 13.3″ HD WXGA LED 1366×768
• Vista Home Premium
• Intel Integrated Graphics X4500
• 2GB SDRAM
• 250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
• Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100
• Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR
• 4 cell Li-Ion Battery
• 1 Yr Depot Warranty

Apply Coupon Code USP35025 at check-out for $150 off (ends 9/23 or after 200 uses)

Dell Small Business has the Dell Vostro A860 15.6″ Laptop, 2GB RAM, Core 2 Duo T5870, 250GB HDD, Vista Home Basic for just $399 plus $25 shipping. We like that this laptop comes with a Core 2 Duo processor and a 250GB HDD — two things you generally don’t see in a $400 laptop.

To shop, click HERE

By the look of it, seems like they are teasing a new ultra-thin Notebook. The rounded edges are reminicent of the MacBook Air – perhaps they are shooting for the thinnest / lightest design on the market.

UPDATE: Another twitter post suggests that the chassis will be 9.99MM – certainly thinnest design on the market. Will be interesting to see what features are left out (as was done with the Air)