First, you posted your rant in the Desktop section, not the Laptop section.

How long anything can last, whether it's a computer, a refrigerator, car. etc  has many variables.  As an educator I would assume you would be more attuned to a subject such as "how long something lasts".  One would assume something such as a laptop would last more than two years but things do fail, and in your case we can't say whether it was just a hardware failure or if it was user (unknowingly) caused; and with Laptops they are, in many cases, subjected to more environmental and transport problems than a desktop.  I spent my entire working career in electronics and computers.  If they would never "break" I would have had to find a different profession. 

Many extended warantee's are questionable, but this is a case where an extended waranty would have served it's purpose (and saved $$).

Memory is a standard item, it's not a custom OEM part, if the memory parity error is what is wrong any reputable PC repair shop should be able to take care of it (and for less than the $1000).

It's more likely that it's the video RAM that has failed, given the symptoms - which does mean a new system board.

The repair is nowhere near $1,000 - the board itself runs about $400;  if you can't install it yourself, add another $100 or so for labor.

http://www.impactcomputers.com/rh093.html