I know that ill regret not getting applecare if my macbook develops some kind of issue, but whats your history with appl eproducts. was you applecare useful to you? it seems expensive to me and i never really had a problem with my PCs (im a switcher). Are repairs overly expensive? is it a must to get applecare or has the majoruty of users gone well without it? thanks
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Do I need Applecare with a new macbook?
- Thread starter manic
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The general consensus around here is that AppleCare is always a good idea with portables. Repairs are expensive due to the compactness of the machines, and thus the amount of labor involved in opening them up to work on them. Just one moderate repair will likely be the cost of AppleCare.
Of course, a variation of Murphy's Law says that if you buy it, you won't end up needing it. But the converse is also true...if you don't buy it, you'll have lots of problems with your machine right after the standard warranty runs out.
Of course, a variation of Murphy's Law says that if you buy it, you won't end up needing it. But the converse is also true...if you don't buy it, you'll have lots of problems with your machine right after the standard warranty runs out.
And I think anyone would rather pay ~$190 for some 3-year peace-of-mind than $400 for a logic board replacement 13 months down the road.WildCowboy said:
Best would be to wait it out for a year , coz you have one year to buy applecare. See if you like your book/sell it etc. If you really feel its worth investing buy it after like 11 months.
definitely hold off on buying it. Hopefully you're aware that that you can buy it anytime during the first year after you get the computer. Don't be stampeded into buying it right away.
my own experience with buying and owning 6 Macs is that I've never had a repair that would have been covered by the Applecare extended warranty.
make sure you know what Applecare actually covers.
my own experience with buying and owning 6 Macs is that I've never had a repair that would have been covered by the Applecare extended warranty.
make sure you know what Applecare actually covers.
Buy it now, so you don't forget. Worth every penny.
The chance of needing a repair in 3 years is very high, perhaps 60%. And there is a 90% chance the repair will be over $200 (my own guesstimate).
The chance of needing a repair in 3 years is very high, perhaps 60%. And there is a 90% chance the repair will be over $200 (my own guesstimate).
Macky-Mac said:
That is my own data, from Macs I've owned. And if you exclude keyboard replacement, the repairs have always exceeded $200.
I'm not saying that 60% of the products fail.
There is major damage (i.e. component failure), like a bad HDD, LCD, logic board, optical drive, etc.
But there is also minor damage (i.e. cosmetic, mechanical), like a loose hinge or inconsistencies in the plastic frame.
Consider also the Macs which qualify for repairs, but aren't brought in by the owner (i.e., my dad).
Macky-Mac said:
I've owned as many Macs (probably more), and also never had an issue where AppleCare would have mattered. If you do the math, you'll see that an extended warranty isn't worth paying 25% extra for the computer.
In my opinion, you've got the factory warrenty for the next 11 months...save til then and make your decision on that. I figure if you're spending $1100+ on something, might as well dish out the extra $183 and be worry free for the next few years
thanks for all the help, but i still havent made up my mind. I want to spend some 1800 bucks, and i could either get 2GB or applecare in my view.
To the friend in mexico, im living in brazil and i called apple here and they said they would repair my faulty mac even with an american issued applecare. i can also get it here for about 350 dollars (ouch!)
To the friend in mexico, im living in brazil and i called apple here and they said they would repair my faulty mac even with an american issued applecare. i can also get it here for about 350 dollars (ouch!)
manic said:
I know nothing about prices in Brazil, but in the US you can often find cheaper Apple Care by shopping around. Why there would be variability in the prices of extended warranties, I have no idea.
Also, those that have suggested waiting till the end of your first year to purchase offer good advice, but you should remember two things:
1) How the first year goes doesn't tell you everything about how the next two will go.
2) You run out of free phone support after the first 90 days. If you pay for Apple Care at 11.99 months you'll get the free phone support back.
Also, you can get much better deals on RAM if you don't buy from Apple.
Finally, whatever you decide, make sure you save a little money for a good case because Apple Care or not, if you drop it: no more warranty. Just ask AlBDamned.
For a Mac Mini, especially the G4 ones, Apple care was like 1/3 the price of a new machine. I didn't get apple care, and have no regrets. However, a general rule of thumb, no matter what company you go with, is that an extended warranty should always be purchased along with a portable. Portables just tend to get banged up more, and thus have more problems.
I don't remember the exact statistic, but within 3 or 4 years of the purchase of a laptop, like 33% have had major failures where a warranty would have been nice.
I don't remember the exact statistic, but within 3 or 4 years of the purchase of a laptop, like 33% have had major failures where a warranty would have been nice.
thejadedmonkey said:
AppleCare is not going to cover abuse, nor will it cover you beyond 36 months from the date of purchase. Also, a three or four year old laptop is worth possibly a quarter of its original value, so consider how much reinvestment in an old, dead laptop is worthwhile. So there is no "rule of thumb" that works. The only rule of thumb to really consider is that Apple prices extended warranties to be profitable. This should tell us most of what we need to know about how much they are worth to us.
If you don't get AppleCare your computer will set aflame the day after the factory warranty is up and you'll cry.manic said:
If you do get AppleCare your computer will work flawlessly for many many years to come.
That's just the way it goes
The long and the short of it is, get AppleCare as it's worth every cent. Oh yeah, whatever you do don't buy your AppleCare directly from Apple, it's a bit expensive. Do a quick search on eBay. I was able to pick up AppleCare for my MBP for $169
Magic. I think that's the point being made. I must say it's always worked for me.IJ Reilly said:
I make it a rule that every Mac I buy, I purchase AppleCare right on the spot to go along with it. MY father and I believe in protecting your investment, so whether we but a refrigerator or a car, we always get the extended/enhanced warranty.
IJ Reilly said:
It's a form of insurance, AKA a gamble. You may need it; you may not.
Whether you buy it or not, you probably don't want to be in a position of needing it. Therefore, I'd celebrate if I bought it and didn't need to use it. It's hard to feel vindicated in purchasing Apple Care if you have to send it off and be without the computer for a while.
Personally, I was pretty glad I had it when I had problems with my beloved powerbook (e.g., white spots, latch problems, fried RAM slot). However, if you're comfortable with the risk than by all means take it.
FragTek said:Rofl that went straight over your head didn't it?
Apparently. You are way too subtle for me.