I am currently in the process of switching. Im going to order a MBP online and was wondering if AppleCare is worth the money.
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AppleCare, worth it?
- Thread starter wonga1127
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Applecare is one of those things that you think you can do without until something happens and you need it.
if you plan to keep the computer for at least 3 years 
I think it's a must for laptops. They give a killer discount for education buyers. It's $100 off for the PowerBook/Macbook.
AppleCare is one of those things that you will not need if you do have it, or you will need if you don't have it.
I would buy it; especially for a portable.
I would buy it; especially for a portable.
I have gotten it all but once and you know how that goes...I sold my last iMac before I bought AppleCare just because I knew I was selling it but if I didn't sell AC would have been bought by now.
http://www.apple.com/support/products/proplan.html
Coverage is global.
If I were buying a laptop, iMac, or display, I would definitely get the Apple Care. I didn't for my Mini, though.
Yes, it's primarily for peace-of-mind and may ultimately end up being just more profit in Apple's pocket, but if you ever have a problem it's nice to know you're covered until you upgrade your technology.
Coverage is global.
If I were buying a laptop, iMac, or display, I would definitely get the Apple Care. I didn't for my Mini, though.
Yes, it's primarily for peace-of-mind and may ultimately end up being just more profit in Apple's pocket, but if you ever have a problem it's nice to know you're covered until you upgrade your technology.
Because many of the components in the portables are integrated, something small could die, but require a whole motherboard replacement. This would would be very costly without applecare and would make up for the cost very quickly if this were to happen. Also, these are the first intel apple potables, who knows what could happen. Along with everyone else though, laptops are a must for extended service if keeping the computer for a considerable amount of time.
Here is a strategy...
If you are hesitating about Apple Care, a good strategy is to wait and see while you are still covered with the original Apple warrany. Wait for a few months and see how your computer fares. If you encounter a hardware problem during the first year of the laptop's life, it is likely that you will have more problems to come. If you have no problems during the first year, then you can decide not to buy it- of course there are no guarantees, but statistically speaking, you are less likely to have a problem if your first year has been trouble-free.
If you follow this strategy, you just have to make sure not to miss the deadline in case you do decide to buy Apple Care.
If you are hesitating about Apple Care, a good strategy is to wait and see while you are still covered with the original Apple warrany. Wait for a few months and see how your computer fares. If you encounter a hardware problem during the first year of the laptop's life, it is likely that you will have more problems to come. If you have no problems during the first year, then you can decide not to buy it- of course there are no guarantees, but statistically speaking, you are less likely to have a problem if your first year has been trouble-free.
If you follow this strategy, you just have to make sure not to miss the deadline in case you do decide to buy Apple Care.
ifjake said:
I agree, I bought it for my MBP and I had it for my old Ti book. You think you wouldn't need it buy towards my 3rd year of my Ti book, I racked up over 1K in bills for repairs and phone support if I didn't have apple care, but since I did, everything was free.
dialectician said:
I agree with your general strategy, in that the OP has the luxury of time to decide whether or not to buy AppleCare. As you pointed out, the major pitfall is missing the deadline at the end of the year.
My personal bias agrees with the other posters that AppleCare is warranted on a laptop computer, given the excess wear-and-tear with portability as well as the potential increased cost for repair with the miniaturization of components.
One thing, though, I wasn't sure about. While your comment about reliability seems logical, do you know of any data that supports your claim that if your first year is trouble-free, you are more likely to remain without major difficulties?
Per Consumer Reports, Apple was reported to have a 17% incidence of needing a repair of having a "serious" problem. Unfortunately, they didn't provide more data to break down the timeframe of those repairs.
I'd buy it. My PowerBook has already been sent in for service twice (keyboard and then logic board) so I'm definitely going to buy it. I have until September. It's a must for portables
will apple care is crap when compared with the warrenties given by other big name manufactors out there and is one of the worse it is better than not having anything at all.
On laptops a lot of things can go wrong and it is worth paying for. Now if you can get something similure though another sorces then I would go with that. For example if you bought the laptop though fries I would get the warrenty though them. They are much more willing to worth with you on getting it fix and less likely to void it than apple would be. Plus it all be delt with in person. I have always had better luck with warrenties given by the seller than the manufactor. That being Best buy, Fries, and so on.
On laptops a lot of things can go wrong and it is worth paying for. Now if you can get something similure though another sorces then I would go with that. For example if you bought the laptop though fries I would get the warrenty though them. They are much more willing to worth with you on getting it fix and less likely to void it than apple would be. Plus it all be delt with in person. I have always had better luck with warrenties given by the seller than the manufactor. That being Best buy, Fries, and so on.
Not really. I have owned 3 apple portables non of which I have had any problems with during the three year periods. I wouldn't say its a must, but if you do run into a problem its nice to have. You can buy apple care at anytime within the first year, so it might be worth it to wait a bit to pick it up.ifjake said:
my rev d iBook G4 needed repairs for the logic board within six months of purchase (and it was brand new)... i'm probably going to buy applecare by the time the year is up.
I didnt get it for my 15in PB when I bought it 3+ years ago...I thought it was unnecessary since I had a couple of friends that had TiBooks that were completely problem free. My PB has lived up to my expectations and still runs great.
Of course one really good part about applecare is the addition to the resale value if you chose to do so in the next couple of years.
Of course one really good part about applecare is the addition to the resale value if you chose to do so in the next couple of years.