One thing I've noticed over the last 18 months or so is that laptops with one year warranties seem to start developing problems around the one year mark.

In one instance we were lucky. The problems started on one of 2 identical laptops after only 9 months. We were able to get the warranties on both extended to 3 years, which was lucky because we've had more trouble with them since.

We haven't been so lucky with another. This one was bought not long after I started doing the IT job, when I didn't know about this seeming 'built-in obsolesence' feature! This laptop has started pulling some spectacular stunts, and we might have to pay top whack to get it sorted out. Today the keyboard had 4 working keys at one point. When I say working I mean you get some kind of response from them, not what you have typed but a response anyway. After plugging in an external keyboard it works ok up to a point, then the built-in keyboard throws in characters of its own ad lib. The number lock light comes on and off also of its own free will, so I think you could say the keyboard (or its connection to the motherboard) is blown.