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Extended Plans on MBP?

T

Trilsk

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 16, 2006
13
0
So I'm getting ready to jump into my first Mac produect ever. Never owned an iPod or anything like that. I'm buying a MacBook Pro the second week of May. Now my question is this, I'm looking at buying my MacBook Pro from Best Buy (It's where I work so I get discounts). Now, for those familiar with Best Buy, we have the 3 Year Extended Service Plans. In all honesty, working at Best Buy for PC Users I always urge getting them, just because I see broken PC's coming in every day for service. Then I get yelled at because it cost X dollars, when the service plan cost 1/2 as much.

On a MacBook Pro, I'm looking at getting the 3 Year Accidental Damage Service Plan. If I drop it, spill something on it, or it just dies I'm covered. Aside from the Accidental Damage portion, do you (the reader) think that these extended service plans from Best Buy are worth it? It's costing me $299.99 for the 3 Years of Extended Coverage. Here's a link to what's covered under our service plans.http://www.bestbuy.com/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat61200050033&type=category

Is it worth it?

As a note, I can't wait to order my MacBook Pro. I haven't been this excited about a computer in years.
 
I think it sounds like a better deal than apple care since it seems that just about anything is covered though i don't know the details of what happens if something does go bad. for instance...if the hard drive goes, who fixes it? I'd rather have apple fix my computer than someone at best buy.

how much of a discount are you getting on the MBP? i ask because I'm summer job searching soon and in the market for a MBP.
 
The MacBook Pro goes from $1999 to $1890. The extended service plan goes from $429 to $300. Best Buy rocks.
 
Trilsk said:
The MacBook Pro goes from $1999 to $1890. The extended service plan goes from $429 to $300. Best Buy rocks.
Click to expand...


Ohhh well just incase you're a student as well, you'd get a better deal through apple's education discount ($1800 for the stock 1.83ghz model). I've also read that recent grads have also been allowed to use the discount, but i'm sure that varies from experience to experience.

Also amazon has a $150 rebate available and that route doesn't require that you pay taxes on it.
 
Well, I know with apple care, I can get a notebook back and repaired in 3 days. I have used it twice on our iBooks for the logic board problem a couple of years ago.

Apple sends a shipping box, it has been to my door in under 24 hours. Within 72 hours I have a completely cleaned and repaired computer at my door. You can't beat that kind of service. i would go with the apple care, unless you can get an immediate replacement of your MacBook.

I have dealt with PCs, and everything is slow as the powers that be try to screw you over. I skip the extended warranties on my PCs, as it is easier to just buy a new one, slap a new hard drive in it, or take it into town to have it repaired. Done all of the above more times then I care to remember, damn industry specific software.

Mike
 
Well the biggest attractions that I'm looking at with my service plan through Best Buy are...
  1. If I drop it, or spill something on it it's covered
  2. A free battery replacement

Those are the two primary reasons I'm looking at it. I know for a fact that I wouldn't receive my laptop back in 3days (if we have to send computers out for service they usually take a week). However, does Applecare provide at least coverage in case I accidently drop it, or a free battery of my battery dies over the course of 3 years? I have to admit that the 3day turn around time is appealing, and I wish there was a way to get that and the ADH + battery replacement.

Sadly, I doubt I can have the best of both worlds.
 
Trilsk said:
Well the biggest attractions that I'm looking at with my service plan through Best Buy are...
  1. If I drop it, or spill something on it it's covered
  2. A free battery replacement
Click to expand...

That is a good deal from best buy because Apple Care doesn't cover that.

Trilsk said:
However, does Applecare provide at least coverage in case I accidently drop it, or a free battery of my battery dies over the course of 3 years? I have to admit that the 3day turn around time is appealing, and I wish there was a way to get that and the ADH + battery replacement.
Click to expand...

I know Apple Care doesn't offer support if you drop it. I am not sure about the battery, but I am pretty sure that Apple won't give you a new battery replacement.

The nice part about apple care is that you are dealing with Apple and you get all Apple phone support, and they know what they are doing.

The thing about best buy is that they really don't know that much about Mac's and haven't been selling them for a really long time. I don't think you are going to get much support from a store that really just sells windows products. The replacement is nice only if they still sell Mac's in 3 years...

If you think you are going to need phone support/normal support, I would get Apple Care but if you need accident/battery coverage, I would get the BestBuy support...
 
Silly question, so looking at the two levels of the MacBook Pro. Would the higher end unit with the better video card go through a battery faster then the other unit?

Lets assume that all other specs are identical, because I'm going to be running a 100GB 5400RPM HD, and 2GB RAM regardless.
 
Trilsk said:
Silly question, so looking at the two levels of the MacBook Pro. Would the higher end unit with the better video card go through a battery faster then the other unit?

Lets assume that all other specs are identical, because I'm going to be running a 100GB 5400RPM HD, and 2GB RAM regardless.
Click to expand...

I am using the 2Ghz model right now with 2GB of ram and I really can't say anything of the battery life from the 1.8ghz model but my 2Ghz model does has an ok battery life, but it does drain quick...I am sure you will get better battery life on the 1.83. I think the 2.0Ghz is a better buy because you get a better graphics card, 1gb of ram, and a bigger hd...
 
I'd like to give my opinion. Go with the Best Buy deal. Accidental damage cover on a laptop is worth it. When i got my PowerBook from Dixons XL here in the UK, they gave me 4 years accidental cover for the price of 3.

It covers everything, i drop it down an escalator and get a replacement. That's an extreme example of course. As my PowerBook 15" is now discontinued, i'll receive the model that replaced it. The MacBook Pro.:D

I know that Applecare covers hardware/software problems, and you get an Apple employee dealing with it, but whatever problem you might encounter with your MacBook Pro, Apple will do their best to find out wether it was your fault before they do anything about it. Unless it is a known mass fault of course.

Accidental damage with Best Buy gets your laptop repaired regardless.

I'm sure you'll choose the best deal whatever happens, good luck.

Rich.
 
I like the Best Buy plan also since they cover accidental damage and the battery. I think their plans are a good value anyway plus, as an employee, you already know that you get preferential treatment and the benefit of the doubt with them.

Buy it.
 
generik said:
I will chose the Best Buy service plan too.

Sad to say but Applecare sucks the big one!
Click to expand...
Yeah, I agree.

I now feel I should've bought mine through Best Buy, I don't want anything to happen to my baby. :eek:
 
Trilsk said:
The MacBook Pro goes from $1999 to $1890. The extended service plan goes from $429 to $300. Best Buy rocks.
Click to expand...

You should see the discount Apple Employees get...
 
I think getting the PRP is a great deal. I didn't know that it covered accidental damage. I'm sure other people around here knew that though, because our Best Buy stopped offering the Replacement Plans. :mad:
 
I would rteconsider the Best Buy warrantee.

AppleCare is a known quality- we all know it is good, and they know the product.

Do a quick Google of Best Buy Computer warrantee- after the first 500 pages compalining about how poor their work is, or how tough it is to even get something worked on, you MIGHT find someone who says it is good. Quite simply, look at the support behind the warrantee itself- Apple yopu can trust and Best Buy has a poor history (and that is being kind).

Besides that, look at the price difference- even with your discount. I am sure that difference more than covers an extra battery.

The phone help you can get from Apple Care (and not at all from Best Buy) is really something, too.

I would buy at Best Buy- you cannot beat the price (and the Apple Store is the WORST plkace to buy from!), but I would get the Apple Care!

dave
 
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