JP,
Welcome to the HP Forum.
Looks like Smart Friends is, for the most part, a subscription service. There are also "one time" fee sessions available that might be nice for the sticky problems.
On a new computer with only the basic warranty, you are covered for hardware failure.
I can imagine the Smart Friends service being very useful for some people -- for example, for a family member living somewhere away from you that is not "tech savvy" and may need a helping hand on occasion with their computer. This might include a parent who can open email or Facebook but cannot figure out how to install new drivers. Installing drivers is easy if you understand computers -- it can be a nightmare if you only understand enough to log onto the computer read your Facebook page. You call the service, have them connect with the parent's computer, and fix the problem. Poof.
The Windows 8 tutorial might be interesting for someone coming in from a background in an older Operating System. The price might seem high until one sits in front of the computer and stares blankly at the new Start Screen and blinking Tiles thinking, "Now, what?" Most people might actually say things that cannot be printed here, but you see my point. We might pay more for an afternoon's cocktails than this Introduction costs and the frustration it saves might be well worth the price. Smiling.
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Although I strive to reflect HP's best practices, I do not work for HP.