M1 MB Air Value Proposition: Apple Care or No?

[Biro]

Even if not everyone finds the base M1 MacBook Air right for them, I think most agree the M1 model is a pretty good value proposition. The question for me is whether that value is still there when the price of Apple Care is added.

Don't get me wrong - Apple Care can be very good to have and I usually purchase it with my Apple devices. But a MB Air at $999 is one thing. At $1249, it's another methinks.

Given that I have had very few problems with Apple hardware over the years, I wonder if foregoing Apple Care might be appropriate. After all, the one-year warranty would have one covered against factory defects. And usually if problems are there, they'll manifest themselves early.

It's interesting - I never buy extended warranties on anything I buy - except Apple devices. Ironically, I've never needed it. Your thoughts are welcome. I certainly don't gave all the answers.

 

[leons]

I have the M1 Air. Never had AppleCare, don't have it now. I say, save your $!

 

[Mike Boreham]

Even if not everyone finds the base M1 MacBook Air right for them, I think most agree the M1 model is a pretty good value proposition. The question for me is whether that value is still there when the price of Apple Care is added.

Don't get me wrong - Apple Care can be very good to have and I usually purchase it with my Apple devices. But a MB Air at $999 is one thing. At $1249, it's another methinks.

Given that I have had very few problems with Apple hardware over the years, I wonder if foregoing Apple Care might be appropriate. After all, the one-year warranty would have one covered against factory defects. And usually if problems are there, they'll manifest themselves early.

It's interesting - I never buy extended warranties on anything I buy - except Apple devices. Ironically, I've never needed it. Your thoughts are welcome. I certainly don't gave all the answers.

This is really just asking if Applecare is worth it, in a slightly different way. There have been a lot of threads about it and there is no right answer ...it all depends on your own financial situation and attitude to risk and protection.

I am like you and never get extended warranties for anything except Apple laptops and phones. I haven't kept a balance sheet over the years, but I have had a few expensive repairs under Applecare but may well have paid out more in total than they would have cost.

 

[bobcomer]

I like extended warrantees on laptops, they tend to be not as reliable and as solid as desktops. (because they're carried around...) And yes, I've used that warrantee more than once.

 

[4sallypat]

If you plan on carrying it around in true laptop style, I'd get the AppleCare + just because of the probability of damage / wear.
My 16" MBP I paid for AppleCare+.

If you are planning on using it on a desktop for the majority of time, then no I would pass.
My M1 Mini & pre-ordered M1 iMac - no.

If you are a Costco member and have the Citibank Costco card, I'd use their concierge and Citi warranty to cover it at no cost for 4 years....

 

[m1maverick]

Even if not everyone finds the base M1 MacBook Air right for them, I think most agree the M1 model is a pretty good value proposition. The question for me is whether that value is still there when the price of Apple Care is added.

Don't get me wrong - Apple Care can be very good to have and I usually purchase it with my Apple devices. But a MB Air at $999 is one thing. At $1249, it's another methinks.

Given that I have had very few problems with Apple hardware over the years, I wonder if foregoing Apple Care might be appropriate. After all, the one-year warranty would have one covered against factory defects. And usually if problems are there, they'll manifest themselves early.

It's interesting - I never buy extended warranties on anything I buy - except Apple devices. Ironically, I've never needed it. Your thoughts are welcome. I certainly don't gave all the answers.

Doesn't this answer your own question? How much have you paid out in Apple Care which you've never used?

When it comes to extended "warranties" I break customers down into two major categories:

1. Those who are unable to afford to pay for repair or replacement.
2. Those who are able to afford to pay for a repair or replacement.

Generally the first group of people are better off buying an extended "warranty" if the covered device is subject to an environment where they're more likely to fail or where they cannot be without a device. For the latter I recommend avoiding extended "warranties" and self insuring.

 

[xxBlack]

every time I doesn't choose AC something is happening lol. If I get AC nothing happens but I have peace in mind. iPhone, AW and after yesterday my m1 mbp too.

 

[Quackers]

As others have said previously I never buy extended warranties for anything except laptops.
They get moved around and accidents can happen.
I rarely move my TV or my fridge around the house and I never take them out

 

[LinkRS]

I always get AppleCare with my Mac computers. I just consider it as part of the purchase price. Apple is now also offering monthly payments for AppleCare (I did this for my iPhone vices outright) to help spread the cost out. The real question is if you are comfortable with having to pay upwards of 60% of purchases price for an out-of-warranty repair, or just replacing the whole laptop within 3 years. If these options are acceptable to you, skip the AppleCare .

Rich S.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Adding to what others have said - the Applecare+ decision is personal, with many factors that go into "the decision equation", which includes your own financial situation and whether you could cover the out-of-warranty repair costs if something happened. I have also found that while I generally stay away from extended warranties, I've frequently got AppleCare+ (for my MBP, and sometimes for iPhones, especially for my wife who drops her phone more). Because I think Apple is one of the few companies who treats their AppleCare+ customers well, and "tries to do what they can to help / process claims", vs most other companies whose position with warranties are "try to find a reason not to help / reject the claim".

However, specifically around your "value" point:
- The % cost of AppleCare+ with Macs can really vary depending on which one you get. As you say, the $249 for the MBA (at base $999 price) is basically 25% of the purchase price
- This compares to the 13" MBP ($269 vs $1,299; $1,499; $1,799 or $1,999) for the standard 2-port M1s and the older 4-port Intels (as placeholder for the higher ends), or the 16" MBP ($379 vs $2,399/$2,799+), which are <20% and can get <10% for higher priced configs.

So all-things-equal, in my view, the decision makes more sense for MBPs (especially higher-priced configs) than the MBA, especially if you're getting the standard base 8/256gb config. As you say, you have the standard 1yr warranty, and you could argue that if there's some big repair required outside of warranty (that would be like $599/699 repair costs), which isn't likely, you could just buy a new one.

All that said - it's still an individual decision, and other factors could move things one way or the other. But specifically for the base MBA, in my view it makes "less sense" to buy AppleCare+ than with other more expensive Macs, all things equal.

 

[sracer]

Even if not everyone finds the base M1 MacBook Air right for them, I think most agree the M1 model is a pretty good value proposition. The question for me is whether that value is still there when the price of Apple Care is added.

Don't get me wrong - Apple Care can be very good to have and I usually purchase it with my Apple devices. But a MB Air at $999 is one thing. At $1249, it's another methinks.

Given that I have had very few problems with Apple hardware over the years, I wonder if foregoing Apple Care might be appropriate. After all, the one-year warranty would have one covered against factory defects. And usually if problems are there, they'll manifest themselves early.

It's interesting - I never buy extended warranties on anything I buy - except Apple devices. Ironically, I've never needed it. Your thoughts are welcome. I certainly don't gave all the answers.

I've never purchased AppleCare. If I look back at all of the Apple products I've owned over the past 12 years, it totals up near 50. I then count up all of the times with all of those devices that I could've used AppleCare.... that is 0 (zero).
Then I look back at all of the money I've saved by not buying AC... rough estimate, near $10,000.

During this time, I've had a handful of devices with design defects (mostly Macbook Pros and the 12.9 iPad Pro). Apple has refused to acknowledge the issue on the 12.9 iPad Pro, and although they acknowledged issues with the Macbook Pro, it was way too late, in response to the threat of a class-action lawsuit, only to set up an overly restrictive repair program).

I don't reward companies who don't do right by their customers by giving them more money by purchasing an extended warranty. I simply stop buying that product (I continue to buy select Apple products though). But I know that many regulars here at MacRumors disagree with that approach.

 

[snorkelman]

I love the basic M1 MBA, but as a first gen device past experience tells me that I'll either sell it on (or pass it down to someone in the family) loooong before any Apple Care would have been due to run out

Not like this one just sits at home either, it runs more than its fair share of risks Today it got to balance on top of an open door for a couple of hours while I used it to re-flash the firmware on a bundle of networked door entry kit

 

[JPack]

Better to spend your money on 16GB RAM, especially if you don't travel much with your MacBook.

Buy the MacBook with a good credit card and it will provide a reliable warranty extension.

 

[coolbreeze2]

I have been a loyal Apple fan for more than a decade and never purchased extended Apple Care until the past few years. I don't know why I finally decided to buy Apple Care. I guess it's because the prices of Apple devices started getting more expensive. However, I'm glad I did. I have now used Apple Care for damage caused by me two times for iPhones, two times for MacBooks, one time for AirPods, and one time for iPad.

 

[jerryk]

I decided to pass on AC for my m1 Air. Just seemed too expensive. If it dies I will just get a 14" which is something I can justify buying with AC.

 

[satcomer]

When going to College when in dorms lock all your computers, expensive stereos and even mini fridge! In the dorm, especially the first semester, will walk away with stuff in your Room!

Let it be known, those jerks tried to take my roommates old Amiga Computer right off his desk until a girl saw him trying it and he ran! Yes in 3 story tall building on the third floor someone tried to take his computer while we were distracted by the pretty girl no one seen before was being flirty with us! Come to find out they were professional robbers and cops were looking for them! So dorm life can get scary at time!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Given Apple's repair programs with laptops, I usually get AC+, even though I can easily self fund. Getting the AC+ on the laptop will end up being cheaper should a problem need to be addressed after the first year.

 

[rui no onna]

So all-things-equal, in my view, the decision makes more sense for MBPs (especially higher-priced configs) than the MBA, especially if you're getting the standard base 8/256gb config. As you say, you have the standard 1yr warranty, and you could argue that if there's some big repair required outside of warranty (that would be like $599/699 repair costs), which isn't likely, you could just buy a new one.

All that said - it's still an individual decision, and other factors could move things one way or the other. But specifically for the base MBA, in my view it makes "less sense" to buy AppleCare+ than with other more expensive Macs, all things equal.

I agree. I do get AppleCare+ for my iPads (typically max storage+cellular).

Compared to, say, the iPad Pro 12.9 though, the cost of both AppleCare+ coverage ($249/3 yr vs $149/2 yr) and deductible ($299 vs $49) on the MacBook Air seems too high, especially if just buying the entry level configuration.

 

[jdb8167]

The only time in 20 years that I used an Apple Care warranty was for a notebook. I dropped it and the CD/DVD drive broke and was replaced by Apple. Having said that, I buy Apple care for my iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad Pro. I did not buy it for the M1 MacBook Air because I don't plan on having it for very long. I expect to replace it next year with whatever higher-end Apple silicon devices come out.