Is the extended warranty worth it for MBA?

[nph]

I have a MBA rev B and in two months my one year warranty is out.
For other Macs I have never got AppleCare before but maybe it is worth it for MBA.

What do you recommend? I have a rev B with SSD.
If battery is covered for 700 chargers at 80% that alone could make it worthwhile.
Then there is the hinge is that something expected to break as well?

Thanks

 

[netdog]

Worth it on any portable.

 

[coast1ja]

I would recommend purchasing AppleCare on eBay. You can get it for around half of what apple charges. I did that for my rev. B and it's currently in for a keyboard replacement. I hope that helps.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Like others have said, definitely worth it. Extended warranty is worth it on any laptop - or any Mac for that matter. I've got a new battery for my Unibody MacBook Pro 14 months in thanks to Applecare and while I haven't had any problems with my Mac Pro (touch wood), my 30" ACD was replaced just before the 3 year Applecare expired.

When considering extended warranty you should consider how much replacement parts cost. In a desktop PC you can easily replace the CPU, motherboard, PSU, graphics cards, hard drives, optical drives, RAM etc without having to spend a fortune since they use off-the-shelf parts. In a laptop, or basically any Apple mac, custom parts are used. Yes you can replace hard drives, optical drives and RAM but PSUs, logic boards, charging circuits and batteries etc are often custom made for that model and as such cost a fair chunk to replace. For example, MacBook Pro logic boards can go for $300-$500 on eBay. Mac Pro (2006) logic boards go for up to $800 - whereas a PC workstation board from 2006 will go for up to about $100.

While the MBA's hinges are now covered out of warranty most of the time, you'll be kicking yourself if you have to pay for a new logic board and fitting in 18 months time if it just happens to go wrong.

As coast1ja said, you can get AppleCare for far less on eBay.

 

[alphaod]

A recent Tier 2 out-of-warranty repair cost me $430; yes AppleCare is worth every cent.

Just be careful with ebay. Might get scammed.

 

[scottkifnw]

Rev A With HDD

I am very gentle with mine, but had the HDD replaced. No other problems and I have had the machine since Feb 08. If you have the money, it might be worth the peace of mind, especially if you take it with you a lot, SSD not withstanding.
sek

I have a MBA rev B and in two months my one year warranty is out.
For other Macs I have never got AppleCare before but maybe it is worth it for MBA.

What do you recommend? I have a rev B with SSD.
If battery is covered for 700 chargers at 80% that alone could make it worthwhile.
Then there is the hinge is that something expected to break as well?

Thanks

 

[stoconnell]

I went back and forth on this for a month or so, and I decided to go for it. I bought mine via amazon.com for less than Apple retail (not quite eBay cheap, but my tolerance for eBay is zero).

 

[itou]

I went back and forth on this for a month or so, and I decided to go for it. I bought mine via amazon.com for less than Apple retail (not quite eBay cheap, but my tolerance for eBay is zero).

must.get.applecare.
and avoid ebay. there's no way they can sell it for that cheap without it being a scam.

 

[Gen]

Stay away from ebay.
Applecare for the Air through Apple with the education discount, only $183;
http://store.apple.com/us-hed/product/MC246LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Mg&mco=MTUzNjQ4Njg

 

[jimboutilier]

must.get.applecare.
and avoid ebay. there's no way they can sell it for that cheap without it being a scam.

I agree, if you are planning on keeping your machine for more than a year - BUY APPLECARE.

But there ARE reputable dealers on eBay that buy a bulk Applcare license (that say covers 100 or 1000 units) and then parcel out individual coverage codes that they can afford to sell at a substantial discount.

I've purchased several applecare agreements from MACMAN812 and never had an issue - most recently got an applecare agreement for $122 for my new MBA. You buyitnow, he emails you a code, you register with apple and get you coverage certificate usually next day in email from them, and can download techtoolpro from them. All the benefits at about half the cost.

 

[bowlerman625]

I agree, if you are planning on keeping your machine for more than a year - BUY APPLECARE.

But there ARE reputable dealers on eBay that buy a bulk Applcare license (that say covers 100 or 1000 units) and then parcel out individual coverage codes that they can afford to sell at a substantial discount.

I've purchased several applecare agreements from MACMAN812 and never had an issue - most recently got an applecare agreement for $122 for my new MBA. You buyitnow, he emails you a code, you register with apple and get you coverage certificate usually next day in email from them, and can download techtoolpro from them. All the benefits at about half the cost.

Jim,
Thanks for the tip on Applecare. I just bought a policy from him and his response is super. The price was too.......$119!! Wow!!

 

[coast1ja]

I am very gentle with mine, but had the HDD replaced. No other problems and I have had the machine since Feb 08. If you have the money, it might be worth the peace of mind, especially if you take it with you a lot, SSD not withstanding.
sek

I actually had the SSD fail in my rev. A. Would have been $1000 just for the part without AppleCare.

 

[Max(IT)]

I have a MBA rev B and in two months my one year warranty is out.
For other Macs I have never got AppleCare before but maybe it is worth it for MBA.

What do you recommend? I have a rev B with SSD.
If battery is covered for 700 chargers at 80% that alone could make it worthwhile.
Then there is the hinge is that something expected to break as well?

Thanks

worth it on any Mac

I would recommend purchasing AppleCare on eBay. You can get it for around half of what apple charges. I did that for my rev. B and it's currently in for a keyboard replacement. I hope that helps.

Just check the seller very carefully before you buy

must.get.applecare.
and avoid ebay. there's no way they can sell it for that cheap without it being a scam.

no way ? I've got several Applecares on eBay in the past 4 years, with zero issues so far

 

[fluffyx]

A recent Tier 2 out-of-warranty repair cost me $430; yes AppleCare is worth every cent.

AppleCare would not have covered a Tier 2 repair—Tier 2 is "accidental damage." Just curious, what were the symptoms on your computer and what parts did they replace? I hate it when Geniuses misquote repairs...

 

[three]

AppleCare has saved me too many times on my MacBook Air. I've had the screen replaced (for the hinge), logic board twice, and the battery is going to be replaced in a couple days.

 

[mastercool10]

I've bought applecare for ipod way back when and it was def worth it. Got that replaced a couple of times.

Laptops die out quicker so yeah def worth it.

 

[LinMac]

AppleCare is worth it for any Apple products. The service is top notch so I have no problem paying for it.

To head off any commentary:

Apple products have a better defective/DOA rate than other major OEMs. There are graphs available on engadget/gizmodo, but I can't be bothered looking them up.

To OP: Do you use your Macbook Air a lot and do you plan on keeping it for an extended period? Doesn't matter, buy AppleCare.

Why?

Macs under warranty have a higher resale value.

 

[King t.]

GET APPLE CARE

u never know when u'll need it

 

[Hey Jude]

I've purchased several applecare agreements from MACMAN812 and never had an issue - most recently got an applecare agreement for $122 for my new MBA. You buyitnow, he emails you a code, you register with apple and get you coverage certificate usually next day in email from them, and can download techtoolpro from them. All the benefits at about half the cost.

My Rev A is out of warranty in about a week, and intend to purchase AppleCare (quoted price thru Apple is $229) but I recall reading here that Florida residents cannot purchase AppleCare thru Ebay, and must buy directly from Apple.

I am curious if anyone from Florida has purchased via Ebay and if there were any issues getting coverage under the Applecare plan.

Thanks...

Jude

 

[itou]

Jim,
Thanks for the tip on Applecare. I just bought a policy from him and his response is super. The price was too.......$119!! Wow!!

have you ever tried filing any claims to applecare after the initial 1 year warranty? there have been reports of people selling applecare on ebay, emailing the code, and then waiting for about 2 weeks before canceling the agreement. the seller then uses the same code for the next customer.

there seems to be a problem with sellers not providing the "box" where it's often used as a proof of purchase when disputes arise.

there's no way somebody can sell something legitimate for half the cost of somebody else. if you were the seller, would you? think about it. if you're right, you save 50%. if you're wrong, you lose money, and you have to shell out money to fix a machine you thought was covered.

 

[Max(IT)]

have you ever tried filing any claims to applecare after the initial 1 year warranty? there have been reports of people selling applecare on ebay, emailing the code, and then waiting for about 2 weeks before canceling the agreement. the seller then uses the same code for the next customer.

there seems to be a problem with sellers not providing the "box" where it's often used as a proof of purchase when disputes arise.

there's no way somebody can sell something legitimate for half the cost of somebody else. if you were the seller, would you? think about it. if you're right, you save 50%. if you're wrong, you lose money, and you have to shell out money to fix a machine you thought was covered.

Dude you are quite misleading, speaking about something U don't really know.
There ARE ways to do that ...
Apple's Premium Reseller that buy bulk Applecare (for hundreds of Macs), selling some via eBay.
These are legitimate and perfectly working AppleCares.

I bought 4 in the last 3 years, all of them still working, as you can check on the Apple site.

 

[jimboutilier]

My Rev A is out of warranty in about a week, and intend to purchase AppleCare (quoted price thru Apple is $229) but I recall reading here that Florida residents cannot purchase AppleCare thru Ebay, and must buy directly from Apple.

I am curious if anyone from Florida has purchased via Ebay and if there were any issues getting coverage under the Applecare plan.

Thanks...

Jude

I would find that very hard to believe because you can buy applecare anywhere and its honored anywhere in the world by Apple. Anything is possible but if I were you I would just call apple and ask them if it matters where you by Applecare (Amazon for instance) given you live in Fla.

 

[jimboutilier]

have you ever tried filing any claims to applecare after the initial 1 year warranty? there have been reports of people selling applecare on ebay, emailing the code, and then waiting for about 2 weeks before canceling the agreement. the seller then uses the same code for the next customer.

there seems to be a problem with sellers not providing the "box" where it's often used as a proof of purchase when disputes arise.

there's no way somebody can sell something legitimate for half the cost of somebody else. if you were the seller, would you? think about it. if you're right, you save 50%. if you're wrong, you lose money, and you have to shell out money to fix a machine you thought was covered.

I have gotten Applecare service on machines over a year old with Applecare I've gotten from eBay. Each time I get a new MAC (about once a year) I can see my list of Macs with their AppleCare status online and have never had an issue (currently 6 MACS).

Also, according to Apple, once you have your certificate of coverage, Applecare is not refundable or transferable to another machine so the scenario you mention seems unlikely in the event people that buy Applecare actually register their machine and get a certificate of coverage.

There are no problems with proof of purchase of Applecare, box or not - your certificate of coverage is all you need so this is completely incorrect.

And your assertion that someone can't legitimately sell something at half the cost of someone else is simply ridiculous on its face. Many products and services have list pricing double what the item is sold for wholesale and the wholesaler often has a considerable markup as well.. The reputable eBay sellers buy bulk enterprise licensing, have very little overhead, and sell individual coverage at a reasonable markup.

All that said, I am sure there are disreputable sellers on ebay and elsewhere and you are taking some chance until you manage to get your certificate of coverage. I choose a seller with a long and good reputation and I consider the small risk worth the considerable savings but that might not be for everyone.

 

[GeekGirl*]

Stay away from ebay.
Applecare for the Air through Apple with the education discount, only $183;
http://store.apple.com/us-hed/product/MC246LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Mg&mco=MTUzNjQ4Njg

Have bought 10 plans and never had a problem with Ebay

 

[Scottsdale]

Dude you are quite misleading, speaking about something U don't really know.
There ARE ways to do that ...
Apple's Premium Reseller that buy bulk Applecare (for hundreds of Macs), selling some via eBay.
These are legitimate and perfectly working AppleCares.

I bought 4 in the last 3 years, all of them still working, as you can check on the Apple site.

Actually, the poster was quite correct. That scenario has been happening to MANY people buying those on eBay. Maybe you bought some that were legit that way, but scammers have found ways to rip people off right on eBay with AppleCare. Even sellers with hundreds of positive feedback have been involved as people leave positive when they initially receive the code and register it. Later, they find out their purchase code and coverage was cancelled. Also, some have found ways to break the code and determine what codes are using the right mathematical formulas.

There are a lot of problems if you buy AppleCare and don't get the box with the code. I believe that you received some fine, but it has become too big of a problem, and I wouldn't buy on eBay unless I received a box with an unopened code.