If you've been shopping for a new computer lately, you may have noticed something scary happening to warranties: They're shrinking. And not just on the low-end models.

Recently, two of the biggest names in the PC business—Dell and Gateway—have quietly reduced the standard warranty periods on desktops and notebooks to 90 days. That's pretty sad when you consider just how many parts within a computer can go bad.

These aren't just sub-$500 budget PCs, either. Dell has reduced to just 90 days its standard warranty on all its Dimension desktops and Inspiron notebooks, as well as its all-in-one printers, MP3 players, and handhelds. If you do see a longer warranty, it's only a special promotion. (Warranties on consumer products such as monitors, televisions, and projectors remain at one year.)

A Dell spokeswoman claims the decision was based on customer feedback. "We know a lot of customers value paying less in exchange for a shorter warranty," she says. On the budget models, she says, customers figure, "'Why do I want to pay more for a system that I'll probably replace if it breaks, anyway?'" Though she claims calls usually occur within the first 90 days, the company's Web site paints a different picture, aggressively pitching its extended warranties. The Help Me Choose link cautions you to "Lock down three or four years of service at the time of your purchase to avoid costly computer repairs in later years." And under the heading, "Why is it important to extend your service term?" you'll read the following dire warnings:

• Approximately 50 percent of computer snags occur after the first year.
• A single service repair without warranty coverage can cost between $150 and $699!
• A simple tech-support call after your term expires will result in a charge per issue.