Applecare for Mac mini or Not?

[crazzyeddie]

I have a 1.42ghz Mac mini. Its having some video issues, etc... which will be fixed under the standard 1-year warranty, which expires in 15 days. I am a student, which means that Applecare would only be $99 for me.

I have a Macbook Pro, with Applecare, so the Mac mini is a very secondary machine due to the speed. Not to mention the fact that if it did blow up, i could always get a new Intel Mac mini which will be many times faster for around $800...

So I guess what I'm asking is, do you think its worth putting another $100 into this machine or just saving up for a new machine or something else?

 

[xfiftyfour]

I'd probably say that if you're getting your current issues fixed now, and you are prepared and able to dish out $800 on a new mini if yours were to ever break, then no, I probably wouldn't get the applecare.

If the $800 would be a big set back, though, and you rely on having a desktop machine, then the 100 bucks might not be such a bad idea - for the added peace of mind. Plus, you figure, if you ever decide you DO want to upgrade, you could sell the older mini with extra warranty for much more than an older mini that's no longer covered and use that towards your new purchase.

 

[katie ta achoo]

Eh.. I'd live on the wildside and let it lapse. It's a desktop... portables are the ones that are breaking every ten seconds. (mm.. hyperbole!)

 

[crazzyeddie]

If it was a true desktop I wouldn't be worried but the Mac mini is a laptop inside a little box... Its not even really a primary machine, but having another machine is nice for those overnight downloads, times when my MBP is in for service, etc...

If the computer had even cost $1000 I would buy Applecare, but as it stands now, the warranty would cost me 20% of the initial price of the computer!

 

[LoveMacMini]

and here lays the problem with mac's

people say they're the most reliable machines in the world.

yet everyone tells you to buy apple care as well?!

so that 1099 MacBook is really closer to 1350, then we have to include tax, so depending on your state that 1099 is really about 1500

so you tell me, why the hypocrisy?

 

[crazzyeddie]

and here lays the problem with mac's

people say they're the most reliable machines in the world.

yet everyone tells you to buy apple care as well?!

so that 1099 MacBook is really closer to 1350, then we have to include tax, so depending on your state that 1099 is really about 1500

so you tell me, why the hypocrisy?

You're telling me that the same isn't true with another PC that comes standard with a 1-year warranty? Macs are generally more reliable due to many factors, but the fact still remains that computers are computers and they sometimes break. The hard part about Macs is that Apple only sells its components to Apple Authorized Resellers, so you can't get it repaired by your buddy or the corner computer shop.

I'm not really looking for a debate on the subject of Mac vs PC or tax situations, I'm looking for some opinions on whether a $100 warranty is worth it for a $500 computer when replacements are $800 but twice as fast.

 

[Yvan256]

and here lays the problem with mac's

people say they're the most reliable machines in the world.

yet everyone tells you to buy apple care as well?!

No problem so far with my Mac mini (G4/1.42GHz, bought more than a year ago). My brother hasn't told me of any problems with his either (G4/1.25GHz, bought about 8 months ago).

You won't encounter many people on forums saying "my computer works fine!!!"

 

[Josias]

No AC. Wait for the Mini to bust, and get a Rev. B/C Intel Mini...

 

[PlaceofDis]

i'd go for it ONLY if you want the machine to be around another two years. if you think you'll want to upgrade in the next year or so then don't bother. keep peace of mind if you're going to keep it and get the Applecare. if you think or know that you'll be selling getting rid of it six months down the road why bother?

 

[miles01110]

I would get applecare. Even a small problem fixed under it makes it worth it.

 

[gnasher729]

I have a 1.42ghz Mac mini. Its having some video issues, etc... which will be fixed under the standard 1-year warranty, which expires in 15 days. I am a student, which means that Applecare would only be $99 for me.

I have a Macbook Pro, with Applecare, so the Mac mini is a very secondary machine due to the speed. Not to mention the fact that if it did blow up, i could always get a new Intel Mac mini which will be many times faster for around $800...

So I guess what I'm asking is, do you think its worth putting another $100 into this machine or just saving up for a new machine or something else?

The usual rule for insurance is: You pay insurance for things that you couldn't afford to pay for yourself, you don't pay insurance for things that you can afford to pay.

In your case, if your Mac Mini broke down without warranty, you would have to find $800, but the actual damage would be much less (how much you could sell the Mac Mini for on eBay). if it breaks down one year from now, you could probably get an identical replacement from eBay quite cheaply. You would want to upgrade at some point anyway, the only problem is that you are not given a choice _when_ to upgrade.

I think I would put the $99 in a safe place; if it breaks down, check eBay for an equivalent MacMini, and then you can decide whether you want to buy that or buy a new one.

 

[ScubaDuc]

The usual rule for insurance is: You pay insurance for things that you couldn't afford to pay for yourself, you don't pay insurance for things that you can afford to pay.

In your case, if your Mac Mini broke down without warranty, you would have to find $800, but the actual damage would be much less (how much you could sell the Mac Mini for on eBay). if it breaks down one year from now, you could probably get an identical replacement from eBay quite cheaply. You would want to upgrade at some point anyway, the only problem is that you are not given a choice _when_ to upgrade.

I think I would put the $99 in a safe place; if it breaks down, check eBay for an equivalent MacMini, and then you can decide whether you want to buy that or buy a new one.

And what could go wrong with it? If the HD breaks, u can get a new, better one from NewEgg for 100 bucks. Same with the RAM. Bottom line; if anything breaks that can be fixed, you can do so for about 100 bucks....Why give Apple the 100 bucks upfront?

 

[steamboat26]

And what could go wrong with it? If the HD breaks, u can get a new, better one from NewEgg for 100 bucks. Same with the RAM. Bottom line; if anything breaks that can be fixed, you can do so for about 100 bucks....Why give Apple the 100 bucks upfront?

So you don't have to go through the hassle of opening up the mini

 

[bradc]

The Mini's design appears bulletproof, no problems. The only thing that would be expensive is the slot load drive & obviously the motherboard. But as suggested, Ebay will always have replacement parts.

 

[Makosuke]

I'd probably do it just because the price is so low, but in truth it's not likely to be worth it. Most of the parts are easy enough to replace, and eBay will get them to you on a reasonable budget.

If I were planning on selling it in the next two years, however, having it still under warranty looks really good--it's a guarantee against you selling somebody a bum computer. I'd do it just for the resale value in that case.

[Edit: Ok, honestly, I'd probably not get the warranty and desperately hope it would break so I could get a new Intel one, but that's just me being greedy.]

 

[crazzyeddie]

Thanks guys. I think I've decided to not get Applecare since this is just a secondary machine and its value isn't really that much to begin with.

Here's to getting an Intel Mac mini in 2 years!

 

[ImNoSuperMan]

If I were planning on selling it in the next two years, however, having it still under warranty looks really good--it's a guarantee against you selling somebody a bum computer. I'd do it just for the resale value in that case.

Exactly what I was about to say. But OP has already made up his mind and decided against the warranty. I`d rather go for the apple care if I was in his place for the above stated reason only.

 

[crazzyeddie]

Exactly what I was about to say. But OP has already made up his mind and decided against the warranty. I`d rather go for the apple care if I was in his place for the above stated reason only.

It would be a more valid point if it were an expandable, upgradable machine but since its a Mac mini, it will lose its value very, very quickly I predict. Especially in light of the fact that the Intel Mac minis are much much faster in most respects.

 

[pianoman]

are you permitted to buy applecare after the machine has broken? for instance, it breaks on tuesday and you buy applecare wednesday and take it in on thursday to be repaired. would they know when it broke and tell you that they cannot repair it because you bought applecare after it broke?

 

[crazzyeddie]

are you permitted to buy applecare after the machine has broken? for instance, it breaks on tuesday and you buy applecare wednesday and take it in on thursday to be repaired. would they know when it broke and tell you that they cannot repair it because you bought applecare after it broke?

They will always repair it if its a manufacturer defect. The only limitation that it be within the first year (ie already covered under your existing warranty).

 

[pianoman]

They will always repair it if its a manufacturer defect. The only limitation that it be within the first year (ie already covered under your existing warranty).

i know they'll cover it within a year, but what about after a year and if you buy applecare after the computer breaks? what if it's a year and a week? for instance, it breaks on the 372nd day of you owning it, you buy applecare on the 373rd and take it to be fixed on the 374th. will they still repair it or will they know you bought applecare after it broke and while it wasn't covered under any warranty?

 

[crazzyeddie]

i know they'll cover it within a year, but what about after a year and if you buy applecare after the computer breaks? what if it's a year and a week? for instance, it breaks on the 372nd day of you owning it, you buy applecare on the 373rd and take it to be fixed on the 374th. will they still repair it or will they know you bought applecare after it broke and while it wasn't covered under any warranty?

I should have been more clear. You must buy AppleCare within the first year, so you're already covered by the original warranty. You cannot buy AppleCare 366 days after you buy the machine, for instance. You simply can't register your computer with the AppleCare if you buy it after the one year is up.

 

[pianoman]

understood. thanks for clarifying crazzyeddie.