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Apple Care: To Buy or Not To Buy?

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portuglish08

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 25, 2007
57
0
Ok, So when I buy my FIRST Mac, I'm wondering if you guys think AppleCare is worth the extra money or not? Have you ever bought it and then not been able to use it, or have you ever had a situation in which you were quite happy you got it? I just need some advice and reasons on why or why not to get it.

:apple:Thanks!:apple:
 
I'm in the same boat. I just ordered my very first Mac today. I held off on the Applecare to find out some more info (besides, I have a year to decide).

I wish Apple offered Accidental Damage like others do.
 
I bought AppleCare for my iMac, 'cos I figured £139 (GBP) to cover hardware that cost over £1100 wasn't a bad deal. My MacBook only cost £700 though, and AppleCare is £199 which seems a bit excessive to me, so I've done without so far.
 
I'd get it. Like you all said, if you spend a lot on it, then you want to protect it to keep it around for as long as you can.

I have a MBP and I got AC. I think it's worth it for peace of mind if anything.
 
Buy it...don't think twice about it. AppleCare will save you a TON OF CASH. Lets say that you have problems about 1-2 years out. Your 1 year warranty just expired so what do you do? Go to Apple and ask how much it will cost, they quote you a nice $1100. Now if you buy AppleCare which costs anywhere from $250-350 (even less on eBay) you could save TONS OF MONEY!! Trust me and just buy it, it is a life saver!
 
portuglish08 said:
Ok, So when I buy my FIRST Mac, I'm wondering if you guys think AppleCare is worth the extra money or not? Have you ever bought it and then not been able to use it, or have you ever had a situation in which you were quite happy you got it? I just need some advice and reasons on why or why not to get it.

:apple:Thanks!:apple:
Click to expand...

Although most of my Apple products have been problem-free, I've had enough trouble with MacBook Pros alone to say HELL YES buy AppleCare. Apple repairs are not cheap.

That said, I recommend at least waiting until you're past the 14-day return/exchange period to actually ACTIVATE your AppleCare agreement, if possible. That way, if you do find a serious issue and need to return the Mac for an exchange, there's none of the hassle that goes with transferring the extended warranty onto the new unit. The Apple retail stores normally won't do that automatically for you, and it's your responsibility to take care of the warranty transfer. Since the standard warranty covers the unit for the first year, it's perfectly safe to be sure your Mac is a keeper (or that you're stuck with it) before activating AppleCare.

That may seem overly cautious, but having had ELEVEN MacBook Pros in the last year (all for significant issues which I've documented in another thread on this forum), I'll never again just ASSUME that any Apple product I've purchased is going to be OK right out of the box.
 
I always buy Apple Care for my new Macs. For instance, we have had several iBook keyboards replaced this way (when our baby removed a key, or somebody accidentally spilled pop into the keyboard, etc., etc.). It is definitely worthwhile for the bulk of the Macs. You might never use it, but it might be needed (the 3-year coverage turns out to be a long time), and it will give you peace-of-mind too.
 
mward333 said:
I always buy Apple Care for my new Macs. For instance, we have had several iBook keyboards replaced this way (when our baby removed a key, or somebody accidentally spilled pop into the keyboard, etc., etc.). It is definitely worthwhile for the bulk of the Macs. You might never use it, but it might be needed (the 3-year coverage turns out to be a long time), and it will give you peace-of-mind too.
Click to expand...

wait... what? AC covers your baby breaking your computer? and some dope spilling coke on it too??? If it covers stuff like that, I'd get it in a heartbeat.
 
Hmmm.... I'm about to buy my 3rd Mac in 5 years (G4 iMac, 12" Powerbook G4, soon to get Macbook) and have never bought Apple Care. And have never required it.

Though I'll be keeping my eye on how stable Macbooks are before I write off buying it for the new computer.
 
Apple Care is definately worth it. Especially for laptop users because even a simple LCD failure can cost you loads. I highly recommend it.
 
mward333 said:
I always buy Apple Care for my new Macs. For instance, we have had several iBook keyboards replaced this way (when our baby removed a key, or somebody accidentally spilled pop into the keyboard, etc., etc.). It is definitely worthwhile for the bulk of the Macs. You might never use it, but it might be needed (the 3-year coverage turns out to be a long time), and it will give you peace-of-mind too.
Click to expand...

d_saum said:
wait... what? AC covers your baby breaking your computer? and some dope spilling coke on it too??? If it covers stuff like that, I'd get it in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...


No. Apple Care does not cover accidental damage. If they find evidence of a liquid spill, or a dent, or anything to hint that it was abused, they have the right to refuse warranty repair.
 
First post. I actually registered just to post on this thread.

Buy it. Buy it. Buy it.

It may seem expensive especially if your buying it for a MBP. It's precisely that reason why you should get it.

I love apple. Got my first PBG4 17 inch in 2005 sept. Top of the line then. 1.677 Ghz, 2 gig of ram yada yada yada. My sister, her husband and 8 of my friends bought macs cause of me. I guess the point is...i'm a fan.

BUT...i've had to return my PBG4 to apple 3 times. First time was after 8 months, it kept going to sleep. They had to replace the top board where the latch was.

Second time was 4 months later, HD failure.

Third time was 6 months after that, it just wouldn't charge.

My PBG4 just developed another problem (about 2 months ago), I have a permanent blue line running down one side of my monitor and another bright green one on the other side. Sure ruins the mood when your trying to watch a movie. I haven't sent it back yet, cause I'm working in Macau now and I have to sent it to HK on my day off, then probably wait for 2 weeks to get it back.

Everytime I call Applecare though, I get the same drill. Reinstall Tiger, wipe my drive and lose my data (which I backup) just so they can tell me what I already know...it's hardware.

So yes, I love apple, and yes, I would buy a MPB (when the revision C of the next major overhaul comes out or when my PBG4 dies on me, whichever is first), but i damn sure as hell would get Applecare too.

Spend the pennies to save the dollar.
 
Speaking from experience of having to have my keyboard and palmrest replaced twice, as well as the HD, RAM, display, AND logic board (my MacBook went lemon after a few months) - its totally worth it. Especially since replacement of keyboard/palmrest + labor costs about $235.
 
I found the best strategy is to NOT buy it, wait 12 months during which you are covered by the warranty, and buy it within the allowed 12 month period if at the end of that period you still think you need it.

If a few things have gone wrong in that 12 month period, then you'll probably find it useful.
 
Clubbernox said:
Why not just wait until you have a problem then buy and activate one from ebay?
Click to expand...

Keep in mind, you have to activate it within the 1 year warranty period of the computer. Beyond that, it really doesn't matter as far as hardware support. It still extends the warranty from the date of purchase of the computer, not of the apple care. If you wait til after the warranty, you're SOL, and cannot get applecare, as people would just buy it whenever they had a problem if they could get it any time.

I would second the idea of buying it third party, as it is typically about 50 dollars cheaper than at the apple store.
 
paulyras said:
I would second the idea of buying it third party, as it is typically about 50 dollars cheaper than at the apple store.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I'm new to Apple computers... how would you buy AppleCare from a third party? I've seen the boxes on eBay, but always thought it was a scam. Sorry for the silly question.
 
portuglish08 said:
Ok, So when I buy my FIRST Mac, I'm wondering if you guys think AppleCare is worth the extra money or not? Have you ever bought it and then not been able to use it, or have you ever had a situation in which you were quite happy you got it? I just need some advice and reasons on why or why not to get it.
Click to expand...

Buy your Macintosh now. You have twelve months time to decide whether to buy AppleCare or not. If your Macintosh has been showing any problems by then, then you buy AppleCare. If not, then don't.

Consider that the worst case is that your Mac breaks down completely beyond repair (or no repair at any reasonable cost). Lets say that happens 24 months after you bought your Mac. At that point, you can take the money that you didn't pay for AppleCare, you may sell the broken Mac on eBay for a few dollars to someone who wants the parts, and you won't have to add that much money to get a refurbished Mac. After all, that would be 24 months from now, so a Mac that is equivalent to yours would be a lot cheaper then. If you bought a top-of-the-range MacBook today, in twenty-four months the cheapest one that you can buy will be an improvement to what you have today.
 
I've never bought one an probably never will. You should evaluate this question when your mac is 11 month old and if needed buy/activate it in your 12th month.

cooknwitha said:
Hmmm.... I'm about to buy my 3rd Mac in 5 years (G4 iMac, 12" Powerbook G4, soon to get Macbook) and have never bought Apple Care. And have never required it.

Though I'll be keeping my eye on how stable Macbooks are before I write off buying it for the new computer.
Click to expand...
 
paulyras said:
I would second the idea of buying it third party, as it is typically about 50 dollars cheaper than at the apple store.
Click to expand...

Some stores (not apple) will drop the price of a purchase to get the Apple Care sale.

I know they did, when they figured I'd leave without buying it, they dropped the price about $50 to make the sale right now.

They were also offering a 50% instant savings on the wireless Apple mouse, but that was a little easier to decline.
 
For most electronics purchases, I'd probably say don't bother with the extended warranty, but for laptops there's just too much that can go wrong.
 
AppleCare or Not?



Hello,

Lucky, double lucky for me I have always purchased an AppleCare policy.

I have a MacBook Pro. Purchased when the first MacBook Pro was released at MacWorld 2006. This year, out of warranty, I sent it to Apple because I had an overheating problem. Apple replaced the motherboard of the MacBook Pro. They did this because I had an AppleCare agreement.

I'm sold on the idea, but it's my idea. You'll have to make up your own mind.


Joe Gomolski
 
If I install 3rd party RAM (4ghz) on my MBP 17, will the AppleCare coverage be null and void?
 
AppleCare or Not?

Hi,

In my case, I removed the 3rd party ram, before I sent in the MacBook Pro, for repair.

For me Apple, Geniune memory is way too expensive,

I always buy 3rd party ram, usually from macsales.com. !00% compatible.

Replace the 3rd party ram, with the original ram that your Mac came with. I can't imagine a problem.


joegomolski :)
 
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