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Get AppleCare+ or not on M2 Macbook Air opinions.

davekro

davekro

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 31, 2011
171
53
No. Calif.
Two questions:
1) Buy AppleCare+ or not for my situation.
2) If yes, buy now with order, or wait towards end of 60 day eligibility window

1) I know the short answer is "personal choice". Being a 'never buy extended warranties' person, I easily skipped the AC+ checkbox on my order.

Three factors are making me reconsider AC+ for this particular Apple purchase: 1) at 68 I'm shifting from my lifelong 'frugal' personality to 'life is (now) short(er), it's okay to splurge here and there. 2) If there is even a small chance that the thinner design makes the M2 more susceptible to screen cracking (with my use anyway). 3) While my current 2013 13" MBA, with plastic case has survived a few drops over the years, it and this replacement M2 MBA travel on my truck to rolling cart, floor to floor, building to building, site to site about 15 days per month. My 2013 slid off my cart just the other day, not in its foam bag, just the plastic case. The plastic Kuzy case took a chip to the corner, but MBA was not affected. This case has seen a few "Oh ****! ... Whew, bullet dodged" moments.

Well now, typing my query to this community right now has brought me some clarity and seems to say to me, "if anyone should buy AppleCare+ for their new M2 MBA, you would be one of the strongest candidates", unless someone skydives with their new M2 that is. ;)


2) So the only other question might be adding it to my order now, before delivery, or just before the 60-day window expires. I would easily accept not having breakage coverage for the first two months to get AC+ for the extra two months on the back end. But even though the wording in the Apple Bag/Cart for AC+ says it starts the day of AC+ purchase, I am not sure if I believe Apple here. I wonder if they might just predate it anyway to the MBA shipment or date received. This is the frugal me still popping in to split hairs, like the good OCD guy that I am. LOL

My M2 MBA order is due between 8/3 to 8/10.

Text from the Apple purchase site on AC+:
"Every Mac comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through its limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. AppleCare+ for Mac extends your coverage from your AppleCare+ purchase date and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax.1 In addition, you’ll get 24/7 priority access to Apple experts by chat or phone.2"
 
I'm doing primarily because it's year 1 of this version and I'm hedging my bets against any major flaws that may surface. I opted for the auto renewing annual Apple Care plan which you can cancel with notice prior to renewal (that's my understanding at least)
 
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davekro said:
Two questions:
1) Buy AppleCare+ or not for my situation.
2) If yes, buy now with order, or wait towards end of 60 day eligibility window

1) I know the short answer is "personal choice". Being a 'never buy extended warranties' person, I easily skipped the AC+ checkbox on my order.

Three factors are making me reconsider AC+ for this particular Apple purchase: 1) at 68 I'm shifting from my lifelong 'frugal' personality to 'life is (now) short(er), it's okay to splurge here and there. 2) If there is even a small chance that the thinner design makes the M2 more susceptible to screen cracking (with my use anyway). 3) While my current 2013 13" MBA, with plastic case has survived a few drops over the years, it and this replacement M2 MBA travel on my truck to rolling cart, floor to floor, building to building, site to site about 15 days per month. My 2013 slid off my cart just the other day, not in its foam bag, just the plastic case. The plastic Kuzy case took a chip to the corner, but MBA was not affected. This case has seen a few "Oh ****! ... Whew, bullet dodged" moments.

Well now, typing my query to this community right now has brought me some clarity and seems to say to me, "if anyone should buy AppleCare+ for their new M2 MBA, you would be one of the strongest candidates", unless someone skydives with their new M2 that is. ;)


2) So the only other question might be adding it to my order now, before delivery, or just before the 60-day window expires. I would easily accept not having breakage coverage for the first two months to get AC+ for the extra two months on the back end. But even though the wording in the Apple Bag/Cart for AC+ says it starts the day of AC+ purchase, I am not sure if I believe Apple here. I wonder if they might just predate it anyway to the MBA shipment or date received. This is the frugal me still popping in to split hairs, like the good OCD guy that I am. LOL

My M2 MBA order is due between 8/3 to 8/10.

Text from the Apple purchase site on AC+:
"Every Mac comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through its limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. AppleCare+ for Mac extends your coverage from your AppleCare+ purchase date and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax.1 In addition, you’ll get 24/7 priority access to Apple experts by chat or phone.2"
Click to expand...
I generally buy AppleCare+ for my Apple equipment. Screens are fragile and Apple charges quite a bit to fix things. I've never needed to use it. Like most insurance, not using it is a good thing. I have an M1 MacBook Air that I didn't buy AppleCare for. I only bought it to have an Apple silicon computer to play around with. It turned out that the MBA is so good, it became my primary computer. Now that I'm working on site, I bring it with me every week day and use it for 8 hours a day. It is now out of the 1 year warranty. I haven't needed AppleCare. I haven't dropped it or had any accidents and it has been flawless. But if I had known that it would become my primary workhorse, I would have dropped the cash to get the extended warranty.

I'm picking up a new M2 MacBook Air this afternoon. I don't know if I will buy AppleCare for it. I'm probably going to put the M1 MBA in a drawer to use as an emergency backup instead of trading it in or selling it. If I have a perfectly usable MacBook Air as backup, do I need AppleCare? I haven't decided. The original M1 MacBook Air was cheap because I had several hundred dollars of Apple Store credit. And it was a cheaper notebook than the M2 MBA which is costing me $2099. That is enough that not getting it fixed if it breaks is going to hurt in comparison to being out $229 or $80/yr. Since I can buy AppleCare+ annually now, I might just get it for 2 years. $160 isn't too much to worry about.
 
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I bought it the day after the machine arrived.

I, too, am generally against paying for extended warranties unless they're a really good deal (e.g., the ones for TVs at Costco), but the fact that accidental damage protection is included in AppleCare+ pretty much seals the deal for me.

When my 2009 MBP was maybe 3 months old, my cat got on the dining table while I was eating dinner, and managed to knock my glass of water over, right onto the computer. Amazingly, the only thing that was ruined was the speaker, which I was able to replace myself, but I learned first-hand that accidental damage to these gadgets is pretty easy to come by. We still have rambunctious cats and we drink plenty of water (and wine). Knock on wood, but still...

I've always carried very good auto and homeowner's insurance. Once AppleCare+ started including accidental damage protection, I came to view it as an extension of my regular insurance, with lower deductibles and no risk of cancelation should I file a claim, and have typically bought it for all of my Apple purchases since then.

As for when to purchase, I had the same debate with myself. I eventually decided that I would be more annoyed if the computer were damaged without coverage on day 3 or even day 89 if I hadn't yet purchased coverage than I would be if it were damaged the day after coverage lapsed. So, I bought it nearly as soon as I could.
 
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At $80 per year, (can cancel at any time) it will be cheaper to file a claim with Apple, versus 100% all on you. The other aspect is this is a new design with a new chip. There could be unforeseen problems down the line (I hope not) and it will be easier to deal with having AC+.

I really wish Apple would send people with AC+ an express unit like the iPhone when needed.
 
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davekro said:
Two questions:
1) Buy AppleCare+ or not for my situation.
2) If yes, buy now with order, or wait towards end of 60 day eligibility window

1) I know the short answer is "personal choice". Being a 'never buy extended warranties' person, I easily skipped the AC+ checkbox on my order.

Three factors are making me reconsider AC+ for this particular Apple purchase: 1) at 68 I'm shifting from my lifelong 'frugal' personality to 'life is (now) short(er), it's okay to splurge here and there. 2) If there is even a small chance that the thinner design makes the M2 more susceptible to screen cracking (with my use anyway). 3) While my current 2013 13" MBA, with plastic case has survived a few drops over the years, it and this replacement M2 MBA travel on my truck to rolling cart, floor to floor, building to building, site to site about 15 days per month. My 2013 slid off my cart just the other day, not in its foam bag, just the plastic case. The plastic Kuzy case took a chip to the corner, but MBA was not affected. This case has seen a few "Oh ****! ... Whew, bullet dodged" moments.

Well now, typing my query to this community right now has brought me some clarity and seems to say to me, "if anyone should buy AppleCare+ for their new M2 MBA, you would be one of the strongest candidates", unless someone skydives with their new M2 that is. ;)


2) So the only other question might be adding it to my order now, before delivery, or just before the 60-day window expires. I would easily accept not having breakage coverage for the first two months to get AC+ for the extra two months on the back end. But even though the wording in the Apple Bag/Cart for AC+ says it starts the day of AC+ purchase, I am not sure if I believe Apple here. I wonder if they might just predate it anyway to the MBA shipment or date received. This is the frugal me still popping in to split hairs, like the good OCD guy that I am. LOL

My M2 MBA order is due between 8/3 to 8/10.

Text from the Apple purchase site on AC+:
"Every Mac comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through its limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. AppleCare+ for Mac extends your coverage from your AppleCare+ purchase date and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax.1 In addition, you’ll get 24/7 priority access to Apple experts by chat or phone.2"
Click to expand...
Well as a dad, whose kid spilled a cup of coffee on a Macbook keyboard I can certainly vote for AppleCare 😇
 
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I have needed it on both my previous Macbook Pros. 2010 with its POS nVidia chip and my POS 2017's battery. I have it on my current driver, 2019 Macbook Pro 16. So yes, on computers 100% of the time.
 
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I might, not sure I just ordered my MBA m2 today. I was on the fence on ordering one until the Maxx Tech battery saver video I watched. Pretty impressive.
 
Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Plus, it will give you freedom to really enjoy your laptop. Throw it in a bag, leave it in the car, be rough with it and not worry.
 
I never buy extended warranties. Even. They are a waste, with one exception: I always buy Apple Care. I have got my money's worth over and over again over the years, and this very moment is the first time I've ever used it for an accident. It is extremely easy to use and the company is generous in its application of the policy. My son once sent an late 2000s air, his college computer, back for some small thing, maybe a port, or charging or something, and they replaced three or four different major things--including the keyboard and screen -- two weeks ahead of the expiration of the warranty. I've had similar experiences. I realize the butterfly keyboard was an extreme, but I had several of those replaced, and then the entire machine.

In all my years I never used the accident coverage. So much so that I forgot it existed. A few months ago my MBP 14 slid off a stand onto a marble or granite countertop. Perfect hit on the edge. Worked perfectly so I didn't even think about the dent on the back of the top or the slight intention in the enclosure. But just the week, after receiving my M2 Air -- like the OP I am older and need to lighten my load, I decided to sell the MBP. And it was only then that I remembered that for $99 I could have the case fixed and sell a computer is literally like new. I was going to sell it very cheap because of the dent. Now I am selling a different product. I can't speak highly enough about Apple Care.
 
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A big thank you to everyone for their perspectives on purchasing AppleCare vs not for the M2 (and in general). This has been a very informative discussion from multiple personal perspectives. I think many will see their own initial perspective that they bring to this question, as well as the thought process of others with maybe a similar initial perspectives (never, sometimes, still unsure) got to a decision that felt good and right for their situation and perspective.

As you probably figured from my description in my OP of the active and busy physical use scenario in which I use my MBA, I will be buying the AC+ insurance. Even though for many, the decision falls into the 'no-brainer, yes' category, I appreciate the sincere personal stories and opinions shared in this thread without any short 'just do it, don't be a dummy' comments, which are never helpful IMHO.

I'll sit with the 'when' question of buying the AC+ for my soon to arrive M2 MBA until I have it in hand in 1-2 weeks and see how I feel. I appreciate this community being here. It invited me to ask/type my question. That process in itself gave me insight that I had not been able to come to w/o my thinking through how I actually use my MBA in this asking process.

Again, thanks to all who make this forum community a thoughtful, valuable resource.
(and well OK, it really was a 'just do it, don't be a dummy' for me in my situation... LOL) ;)
 
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I've only used AppleCare three four times in the past 11 or so years (from whenever it became available, I think maybe 2011), and the first time (2016) pretty much paid for the previous 5 years (broken cellular iPad Pro). The second time saved me a lot of money to replace a set of AirPods Pro that ended up in the wash. The third time, last fall, arguably put me $1500 ahead by covering an iPhone that was stolen during the delivery process. The fourth time replaced an Apple Watch with a faulty display.
 
Last edited:
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I didn't at the time of purchase, but do plan on getting it before the window expires. I've always had good experiences with apple's customer services during the 1 year limited warranty windows and would like to have that level of service or better if I run into trouble for 3 years rather than just one. Add to that that this is the most expensive macbook I've ever bought for my own money.
 
Toratek said:
I've only used AppleCare three four times in the past 11 or so years (from whenever it became available, I think maybe 2011), and the first time (2016) pretty much paid for the previous 5 years (broken cellular iPad Pro). The second time saved me a lot of money to replace a set of AirPods Pro that ended up in the wash. The third time, last fall, arguably put me $1500 ahead by covering an iPhone that was stolen during the delivery process. The fourth time replaced an Apple Watch with a faulty display.
Click to expand...
Exactly
 
IF you live in a hot climate (where the temperature never drops below 75f, even at night), I highly recommend buying AppleCare for the battery replacement. Batteries hate the heat, and the battery will fall below 80% capacity before the three years is over. You'll get a free battery replacement. That's $129 currently, and AppleCare is $199.

Plus, AppleCare will cover other damages as well. It's worth it for the piece of mind I think.
 
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Considering AppleCare + for a new M2 Air. Although I have never needed it on a Mac laptop since they stopped using spinning hard drives, but this time work is paying for it, so.

I'm a little confused about the annual AppleCare + renewal option. Does that mean you can keep renewing annually past the 3 year period covered normally by AppleCare?
 
racoop said:
Considering AppleCare + for a new M2 Air. Although I have never needed it on a Mac laptop since they stopped using spinning hard drives, but this time work is paying for it, so.

I'm a little confused about the annual AppleCare + renewal option. Does that mean you can keep renewing annually past the 3 year period covered normally by AppleCare?
Click to expand...
Yes. I don’t know for how long though. Probably until the device is declared vintage or obsolete.
 
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racoop said:
Considering AppleCare + for a new M2 Air. Although I have never needed it on a Mac laptop since they stopped using spinning hard drives, but this time work is paying for it, so.

I'm a little confused about the annual AppleCare + renewal option. Does that mean you can keep renewing annually past the 3 year period covered normally by AppleCare?
Click to expand...
I purchased the auto-renewal $79 per year option which can be renewed as long as you want.
 
I'd go with the coverage, Apple has the best telephone support in my opinion. They have never told me "you need to call the equipment manufacturer". In particular, I can remember a call that was resolved by an explanation that I actually had purchased a networking switch instead of a router (which was not clear from the vendor's documentation or packaging). Time-Warner had previously referred me to manufacturer, since the device was not rented by TWC.

Strange that the purchasing window for Mac AppleCare is now shorter. I purchased AC for a 2013 MBP when it was nearly one year old (after a DC in daughter board was replaced under warranty). As I recall, telephone support had lapsed at 90 (?) days, unless it was a laptop hardware problem. Maybe a shorter window with AC+?

Haven't broken anything (yet) by dropping equipment, but nice to know AC+ covers possible klutzy moments (mine any possibly other folks). Thought I'd purchased AC+ annual renewal with a iPhone SE 2nd generation last year, but looks like I actually purchased three year coverage instead. Never called or had repairs on a iPhone, just the MBP. Most of my earlier iPhones were covered by/purchased by my pre-retirement employer (4s and 6, if I remember correctly.)
 
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