New 15" MacBook Air User - AppleCare/AppleCare+ question

[MisterTibbs]

Hi,
I was hoping for some help as it's been over ten years since I last updated my mac and things have changed.

What I used to do was to wait for the initial first year limited warranty to expire, then buy apple care to cover me for a further two years.
It was a good way to save money, but have the peace of mind that the mac would be covered. The HDD failed in my iMac after 18 months and they repaired it no questions asked.

Is this still a viable option? I can't remember AppleCare+ being a thing in 2012, but it's something I wouldn't have considered.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[highmayhem]

I believe they shortened the window for purchase to much less than one year. I think it's 90 days.

 

[MisterTibbs]

Thanks for getting back to me. So is regular AppleCare (not plus) not a thing any more?

 

[highmayhem]

AFAIK there's just one product now called AppleCare+

 

[jz0309]

Thanks for getting back to me. So is regular AppleCare (not plus) not a thing any more?

No, there’s only AC+ and you have 60 or 90 days to get it, can’t remember exactly the number of days…

 

[Algus]

If you go into settings, you can actually see a timer that shows you how long you have to act to get AppleCare+

 

[MisterTibbs]

Thanks all. It seems like basic AppleCare is a thing of the past. I've got 59 left to decide.

 

[Dave Braine]

I bought my first Mac(a Mini) back in 2005. Since then I've been associated with(family and work) 15 Apple devices(laptops, desktops, iPhones, iPods). There hasn't been a problem with any of them that would have needed AppleCare.

Just saying.

 

[Saturn007]

I had an iBook G4 under AC that needed 3 keyboard replacements — easy to do as it was a top panel, user-replaceable, click, lift, and change process.

I had a 15” MacBook Pro under AC that had a screen and logic board failure, keyboard issues, and a swollen battery.

All replaced for free, including free shipping there and back (they sent a form fitting box), with a rapid turnaround time! They even fixed some other items that didn't pass their tests.

AC+ is well worth it, especially for first version models and devices that move around and can be dropped, bumped into by others, etc. You can spring for 3 years at a discount and then renew it. I also like it as a feature when reselling the Mac down the road. You can transfer AC+ to a new owner. That means you can sell it for a higher price; the buyer has confidence that Apple will fix anything that goes wrong; and, as the seller, or give to a family member or friend, you can rest easy that the buyer or recipient is covered!

Just saying. 🍎

 

[MisterTibbs]

This is why I had my doubts, I first bought my own Mac in 1999, a lime green iMac. Two years into ownership the graphics card fried, no AppleCare, but luckily I didn't have to wait long before the iMac G4 was released. Nothing ever went wrong with it, or the other iMacs I bought up until 2012. The fusion drive gave up, fortunately I took out the AppleCare, the first time I'd bothered. The replaced the fusion drive and replaced the panel. At the time, it was the most I'd spent on a computer and I had the spare funds to get AppleCare. Obviously glad I did.

Life has changed for me now, recent home ownership has meant disposable income is much less than it was. Like most of us at the moment. I'm lucky to be able to buy a new mac, but it's probably more justified than ever because I need it for work now.

Part of me knows it's the sensible thing to do, the other part thinks that money could go towards a new sofa/bed/something else for the house! I've got some time to think about it.

 

[Saturn007]

“Something else”, perhaps, but have you priced sofas and beds recently? Or, even in the past decade?! Way more $$ than Apple Care+!

Spending an extra $180 for 3 years of Apple Care would be a smart move, especially if the laptop is for work! You don't want a sudden, unexpected, and expensive breakdown.

Spread out over 3 years it would be only $5 per month. I'll bet that would be easy to find in your budget. And, it'd be of much greater value than whatever that something else would be… 😎

The other solution, given that home ownership also comes with unexpected costs (plumbing problems, roof leaks, water heater goes, etc.), is to return the 15” and get an Apple refurbished 13” M1 or M2 MBA — with Apple Care. You'd save yourself money that could be used for those household expenses!

I went from a work-supplied 15” to a 13” Mac years ago and thought I’d be miserable with the smaller screen, but it turned out just fine.

However, the cost of the 15” wouldn't be that much more than the 13” so, at this point, it'd be better to protect your investment in the 15” than go through the gymnastics and hassles of return, another purchase, etc. You could also buy one year of AC+ for $80 and renew it monthly thereafter. That would be even more manageable, albeit at a slightly greater cost.

Anyway, good luck with it all! Enjoy your new home.

Let us know how you're liking the 15”, too!

 

[MisterTibbs]

“Something else”, perhaps, but have you priced sofas and beds recently? Or, even in the past decade?! Way more $$ than Apple Care+!

Spending an extra $180 for 3 years of Apple Care would be a smart move, especially if the laptop is for work! You don't want a sudden, unexpected, and expensive breakdown.

Spread out over 3 years it would be only $5 per month. I'll bet that would be easy to find in your budget. And, it'd be of much greater value than whatever that something else would be… 😎

The other solution, given that home ownership also comes with unexpected costs (plumbing problems, roof leaks, water heater goes, etc.), is to return the 15” and get an Apple refurbished 13” M1 or M2 MBA — with Apple Care. You'd save yourself money that could be used for those household expenses!

I went from a work-supplied 15” to a 13” Mac years ago and thought I’d be miserable with the smaller screen, but it turned out just fine.

However, the cost of the 15” wouldn't be that much more than the 13” so, at this point, it'd be better to protect your investment in the 15” than go through the gymnastics and hassles of return, another purchase, etc. You could also buy one year of AC+ for $80 and renew it monthly thereafter. That would be even more manageable, albeit at a slightly greater cost.

Anyway, good luck with it all! Enjoy your new home.

Let us know how you're liking the 15”, too!

Thanks! That's the problem, there are plenty of "something else's" at the moment!

I had a great set up in our old house, because it was small I had to keep the 27" by me in the lounge, which meant I could do my t-shirt designs in the evening in the same room as my other half. I had planned to wait for the next iMac, but when it was revealed in 2021 I thought I'd wait until a larger screen came out. Then came the house move, and realisation that I'd have to change my setup in a different house. I borrowed a 13" 2015 MBP which was okay, but I've really struggled with the smaller screen.

After hearing the rumours of a larger MBA, I thought it could be the answer. I'm really happy with it, the extra space makes a huge difference, is massively faster than either of the computers I was working with, and the speakers are the best I've heard on a laptop (I know there are better, just talking from personal experience). I'm very happy indeed.

Still torn on the AppleCare, it's £229 or $293 for three years here in the UK (£80/$102 yearly). I've got some big purchases coming up, but I've still got 55 days to think about it!

 

[calliex]

I have been a Mac guy since 1986. I bought apple care once and never needed it. I have had at least 10+ Macs since then and never used it. My 2012 laptop works perfectly except for the battery. I know people use it because I worked for apple at store here in Pittsburgh for 10 years. I feel the money saved not buying apple care will pay for any repair if I ever need it.

 

[Saturn007]

Still torn on the AppleCare, it's £229 or $293 for three years here in the UK (£80/$102 yearly).

So, the 1 vs. 3 years are comparable! If money is that tight, you could go for a single year and then monthly after that — for as long as you own it.**

One other reason I’ve liked getting Apple Care is that it helps with resale — or gifting. A used Mac with AC+ is more attractive to a prospective buyer than one without it. You'd get a better price for it and wouldn't have any concerns about it going South on the new owner!

Also, if you passed it along to a family member or friend, they'd be covered, too.

**Oops! Clarification on that.

”For some AppleCare plan types, and in some countries or regions, you might not be able to transfer an AppleCare plan to a new owner.”​

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”If you pay monthly​

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If you make monthly payments* for your AppleCare plan, the plan is linked to your Apple ID and can't be transferred to a new owner.​

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* In some countries and regions, you might have the option to pay monthly for your AppleCare plan. This option is not available for all AppleCare plans or all countries and regions.”​

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Transfer your AppleCare plan - Apple Support

If you sell or give away your device, you might be able to transfer your AppleCare plan to the new owner.

support.apple.com

That suggests getting the full 3 years, so if you were to sell it within that time period, you could transfer AC, if that's permitted in the UK. Of course, the main reason for getting it is that you'd be covered, including for accidents and drops. If you have an Apple Store nearby, that should be a plus, too, in setting up repairs directly with them.

In any case, thanks for your report on how you like the 15”. Sounds good…