Should I opt for AppleCare?

[obroyz]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum, please forgive me if I do not follow certain rules / rituals ... I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

But coming to the point...I have been saving some money and have finally decided to buy an iMac - 24" screen with 2 Gig RAM, a 128 Meg Graphics adapter alongwith a wireless keyboard and mouse.

My question is whether to opt for AppleCare or not. I have been a PC user for over 10 years and am very comfortable with fixing any hardware / software problems myself; however, with an iMac, things are somewhat different. I am very new to the Mac Operating System and frankly, the first time I'll ever 'work' on it would be when I buy it.

I am pretty sure this forum will help me with all my software problems, but I would just like your opinion about getting AppleCare.

I am not a gamer at all and I mostly use my computer for letters, emails, photographs & general productivity stuff. I have a huge collection of photographs and most of my work (at home) revolves around photos only. When I'll have the nice 24" screen, I'll get into watching movies as well - be it DVDs or DivXs.

I understand that if I'm paying so much for such a machine, a few extra quid won't make much of a difference, but some general feedback would also be helpful

I am getting this in / around June, as soon as Leopard hits the market.

Thank you all for your cooperation in advance...

Jay.

 

[MacDann]

Since cracking the case of the iMacs open is nothing remotely close to opening a PC case, I would highly advise that you purchase AppleCare. On the desktops it's not that expensive (here in the States) and only one incident out of warranty can pay for it.

I'm not sure what the arrangements are in the UK (I assume that's where you're located based on your reference to "quid") but you might look into purchasing through the Education Store if it's available. Not only will you save a fair amount on the machine, but AppleCare is discounted substantially when purchased through the Education Store.

It's near impossible to not qualify to use the Ed. Store here in the States. If the requirements are similar there, you should have no problem.

I wouldn't consider buying an Apple computer without AppleCare.

MD

 

[devilot]

In addition to MacDann's post, if you feel like reading up on what some other MacRumors' members think about AppleCare, you can always do an advanced search with the term "AppleCare" and tick off to search only in thread titles and to display results in terms of threads.

Three threads that I poked through that had more replies if you wanted to read some more:
Wondering About Applecare? Read this...
AppleCare
AppleCare $350 Worth it?

 

[ctango]

Hi everyone,
But coming to the point...I have been saving some money and have finally decided to buy an iMac - 24" screen with 2 Gig RAM, a 128 Meg Graphics adapter alongwith a wireless keyboard and mouse.

If you can afford it, get it. Peace of mind is worth the extra money.

 

[lamina]

I'd get AppleCare. The repair costs for Apple computers are one of their downfalls in my opinion, and AppleCare will give you the peace of mind in knowing that if I have a problem, I can bring it in to my local Apple service center for a no-cost look at the machine, and if necessary, a no-cost repair.

Then again, I have a really good relationship with my local service center. Either way, it's a good idea.

 

[mustard]

I had to take in my Rev. A MBP for the second logic board replacement in 6 months - if I didn't have AppleCare I would be just outside of the warranty.

The repair bill was:

Logic Board = $890.63
Thermal Module = $67.19
Service = $135.00

Total $1,092.82

Total Due $0.00 (thanks to AppleCare)

 

[obroyz]

Thanks people...I'd definitely go for AppleCare then...just needed a little shove.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't qualify for the Education Store, as I'm not a kid anymore. Been working for 5 years now and I am totally sick of using Windows. Went to the Apple Store with the wife & saw nothing else than the 24" iMac. Hefty price though, but it's all worth it. No beating the style and the class and most of all, the totally different OS.

Is there a possibility of extending this after three years as well, or is that a silly question?

BUT......great job with the fast replies.....much appreciated!!

 

[devilot]

Is there a possibility of extending this after three years as well, or is that a silly question?

It's not a silly question, but unfortunately, three years is tops. Unless, maybe you have some other warranty provider or equivalent of: say, insurance that will pay for a replacement if it breaks or is damaged.

 

[mustard]

If it hasn't been said already you don't have to purchase AppleCare at the time of purchase - you have ONE YEAR from time of purchase to buy AppleCare, in doing so your hardware is fully covered you just miss out on phone support after 90 days but can save some money in the short term.

 

[obroyz]

Right....I forgot to ask that only...so it's fine if I purchased AppleCare before the first year of my purchase...

Yeah, I suppose by June I will have saved enough for AppleCare too & then soon I'll be a proud owner of the iMac.

Cheers people!

 

[Macky-Mac]

Is there a possibility of extending this after three years as well, or is that a silly question?

not through Apple, but some credit cards offer a warranty extension if you use their card for your purchase.....if I recall, some of the various American Express cards will give you an additional year of warranty protection and if you purchase a warranty extension such as Applecare , then the extra year comes after Applecare expires.....you end up with 3 years of applecare plus a year from American express for a total of 4 years of warranty coverage

 

[obroyz]

Great Thanks for the feedback people!

One last question (I hate to go off the topic though) - even though I don't use my computers for games, would a 128 Meg Graphics Card be sufficient to handle movies + the various effects OS X offers (like Expose' & other Core Animation effects) when Leopard hits the market? Or would a 256 Meg Graphics Card be better - just in case.

Thanks

 

[BilltheCat]

If money is not an issue I would go for the upgrades all. After all you cannot upgrade those things afterward. It is a closed system to us.

Congrats on your new apple to be! I know you will be totally blown away by its simple elegance, beauty and style. That is just the looks! Start the OS and prepare to be really happy!

 

[MacBass]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum, please forgive me if I do not follow certain rules / rituals ... I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

But coming to the point...I have been saving some money and have finally decided to buy an iMac - 24" screen with 2 Gig RAM, a 128 Meg Graphics adapter alongwith a wireless keyboard and mouse.

My question is whether to opt for AppleCare or not. I have been a PC user for over 10 years and am very comfortable with fixing any hardware / software problems myself; however, with an iMac, things are somewhat different. I am very new to the Mac Operating System and frankly, the first time I'll ever 'work' on it would be when I buy it.

I am pretty sure this forum will help me with all my software problems, but I would just like your opinion about getting AppleCare.

I am not a gamer at all and I mostly use my computer for letters, emails, photographs & general productivity stuff. I have a huge collection of photographs and most of my work (at home) revolves around photos only. When I'll have the nice 24" screen, I'll get into watching movies as well - be it DVDs or DivXs.

I understand that if I'm paying so much for such a machine, a few extra quid won't make much of a difference, but some general feedback would also be helpful

I am getting this in / around June, as soon as Leopard hits the market.

Thank you all for your cooperation in advance...

Jay.

When buying any all-in-one machine, I would most certainly suggest purchasing a warranty. You won't regret it.