Many medical students will end up purchasing various devices such as tablets over the course of their training. When purchasing the device, a question that inevitably arises is: should I purchase additional coverage for any damage to my device? Admittedly, this topic is indirectly related to medical education. However, given that many of you are on limited budgets, it is a fair issue to consider. Buying a warranty vs. saving your money and being careful both have merit. Consider your own situation specifically before making a final decision
Why You Should Get A Warranty
As a medical student, your device is going to be more mobile and in more varied environments than someone who merely uses their device to binge on Netflix. Not only should definitely buy a case to protect your investment from minor scratches, wear, and tear, you should definitely consider a warranty in the event that your device is lost or stolen. Another major factor to consider is your own track record with devices. If you often drop items or otherwise damage them, you should be more inclined to purchase an extended warranty.
Why You Should Avoid A Warranty
Given the ever-shortening upgrade cycle in tech, you will most likely upgrade your device by the time you may incur any damage worthy of replacement. As prices are generally falling over time, the money saved up front may be enough to cover a brand-new replacement device. A rule of thumb for determining whether a warranty is worthwhile is to calculate the implied risk. The formula is simple:
Where To Purchase A Warranty
After weighing the pros and cons above, let's say you decide to opt for a warranty. For simplicity sake, purchasing the warranty offered at the time of your purchase is probably easiest. For example, let's say you were purchasing an Amazon Fire Tablet:
Have you purchased an extended warranty before? What has your experience been like? Please leave comments below!
This post first appeared on Scrub Notes: A Blog For Med Students, please read the originial post: here