Is apple care worth it on the Apple Cinema Displays??

[jjahshik32]

I still have about 4-5 months until 1 year warranty is up for my 23" ACD and just curious how many of you guys have apple care for your ACD monitor? Also is it worth it? I mean monitor is a monitor right... unless you have the gigantor 30" do you guys think its necessary to buy apple care for a 20" and 23" ACD??

[Lord Zedd]

AppleCare is only useful for laptops. Its a complete waste of money for desktop equipment.

[spacecadet610]

i agree only worth it for the laptops. everything else is reliable enough that cost/benefit isn't worth it

[orpheus1120]

Applecare for display does not cost much. Get it for peace of mind. For something as expensive as an ACD, it is only sensible to get Applecare (since it costs so little) no matter how good quality the monitor is. You never know what will happen to the ACD within 3 years.

[MIDI_EVIL]

AppleCare is only useful for laptops. Its a complete waste of money for desktop equipment.

???

That is a crazy logic.

Since AppleCare doesn't cover accidental damage, I don't see how it is only worth it on the laptops.

What if you purchased a Mac Pro, and 1.5 years down the line the mother board craps out? You repair it, then it happens again?

AppleCare is worth it on anything that Apple sells.

[Lord Zedd]

Since AppleCare doesn't cover accidental damage, I don't see how it is only worth it on the laptops.

Laptops have many more moving parts, hinges, flexing cables, confined spaces to cool, more fragile design and constantly on the move.

Desktops are almost always stationary. If they are good for 1 year, chances are very good it will be fine for 10+ years if you keep the internal dust under control.

The only desktops that were ever worth it on are the 2.5GHz+ G5's because of their liquid cooling system and the major damage a leak causes.

[Techguy172]

Here's something buying a second or Third revision you should be just fine if you had problems from the beginning then definitely get Apple Care.

I would get it just to be safe though if you ever had a problem on a tower that expensive it could really hurt the wallet.

[jjahshik32]

I already have apple care for my mac pro, I bought it with a discount for $190 at macmall and I noticed that the desktop apple care is much cheaper than the laptop (go fig). But my question is on the Apple cinema display, I know if I bought the 30" I would definitely buy the apple care because it cost so much... but for a 23" I'm leaning on not buying the apple care and soon a 20" ACD as well.

[MIDI_EVIL]

Laptops have many more moving parts, hinges, flexing cables, confined spaces to cool, more fragile design and constantly on the move.

Desktops are almost always stationary. If they are good for 1 year, chances are very good it will be fine for 10+ years if you keep the internal dust under control.

The only desktops that were ever worth it on are the 2.5GHz+ G5's because of their liquid cooling system and the major damage a leak causes.

The cost of a motherboard/logic board replacement can be double the price of AppleCare. If it craps out twice, you are approaching the cost of the machine.

The motherboard/logic board can crap out on any machine, regardless of age, so AppleCare is definitely worth it on either a desktop or laptop.

[UK2TX2CA]

I bought the Applecare for my Mac Pro which allows the 23" ACD to be covered at the same time....the $219 for the warranty for both the Mac Pro and ACD represents cheap insurance!

It was a no brainer for me since I am a power user of the various ports on the Mac Pro ( firewire for HDV camcorder, external drives and the USB ports for iPod look alikes, scanner, hub, printers etc ) and I recently fried the motherboard on my 7 month old work laptop because of a USB port issue - hint don't try using the Thinkpad T42p USB to charge your Blackberry...

[JesterJJZ]

AppleCare is only useful for laptops. Its a complete waste of money for desktop equipment.

Negatory...couldn't disagree more. Applecare has saved me thousands more than once. I got a new MacPro out of it recently for a 3 year old G5 that went kaput.

[jjahshik32]

Negatory...couldn't disagree more. Applecare has saved me thousands more than once. I got a new MacPro out of it recently for a 3 year old G5 that went kaput.

Nice! :cool:

[orpheus1120]

Get an Applecare for the ACD already. You never know when it will be put to use. Never say NEVER.

[jessica.]

The price premium paid for an ACD makes AC logical. Homeowners covers what AC doesn't.

[jjahshik32]

I think I'm going to buy the apple care for my 23" acd but not for the 20".. I know $600 is still alot of money but that 23" acd is near 1k.

[RaceTripper]

I bought the Applecare for my Mac Pro which allows the 23" ACD to be covered at the same time....Only if you bought them together (on the same invoice). I bought my ACD later & my MBP AppleCare does not cover it. I will have to purchase AppleCare for the ACD separately if I want it covered. I probably will since Apple is not a company I can associate with hardware reliability.

[radiohead1075]

I purchased it for my 23" Cinema Display... especially after my Cinema Display at work started having some problems.

The price is cheap for what you get IMHO, and you can possibly get it cheaper through ebay. I recently purchased AppleCare for my new Mac Pro on ebay for $135.00 (vs the $250.00 Apple stores sell it for).

[syvalley]

As a life policy, buying after-market, or extended warranty insurance almost never pays off. You will pay much less over the course of a lifetime for repairs than you would purchasing all the insurances offered on everything from digital watches to new trucks. Everyone from the salesman to the insurance execs are hoping you make the sucker's choice. Why do you think they push so hard?

[UK2TX2CA]

Only if you bought them together (on the same invoice). I bought my ACD later & my MBP AppleCare does not cover it. I will have to purchase AppleCare for the ACD separately if I want it covered. I probably will since Apple is not a company I can associate with hardware reliability.

I called Apple about the time frame for "purchased together" when Amazon split my order for a Mac Pro and a 23" ACD into two invoices as they was being delivered from two locations and they said "within 30 days" was allowed.

[knome]

i've used apple care for everything, i wish i had it on my display because apparently the displays can't take shorts from firewire devices. i plugged in my buddies ipod and fried the firewire ports on the monitor.

[jjahshik32]

i've used apple care for everything, i wish i had it on my display because apparently the displays can't take shorts from firewire devices. i plugged in my buddies ipod and fried the firewire ports on the monitor.

I dont know why but I always knew that the ACD's have firewire and usb on them.. but I've never once yet to use any of the inputs.

[JesterJJZ]

I dont know why but I always knew that the ACD's have firewire and usb on them.. but I've never once yet to use any of the inputs.

Cause desktop inputs you can't easily access are stupid. I just have my keyboard and mouse plugged into them. Basically anything that is permanent. For my ipod and thumbdrives it's much easier to bend down and use the ports on the front of the tower. Trying to reach behind my monitor and blindly plug something in backwards is hella annoying. They could have easily put a set of ports on the side.

And before anyone says it, the hub on the keyboard isn't powerful enough for most devices and the new keyboards blow...no thanks. :D

[chris y.]

LCD displays have been around long enough to not have issues. The only thing that can be a problem is the backlight going out which won't likely happen until you are way past the 5 year mark, and that is with daily use.

[RaceTripper]

LCD displays have been around long enough to not have issues. The only thing that can be a problem is the backlight going out which won't likely happen until you are way past the 5 year mark, and that is with daily use.That's not so true as you may believe. I've had LCD panels go bad, for failed backlight and for other problems. LCDs can fail just like anything else.

[krye]

Yes, AppleCare is worth it. I have a 30" Cinema Display that will cost me $1800 to buy a new one if something happens to mine. Or, consider the other possible repair costs: the power supply could die. The LCD could develop an anomaly. Or more commonly, the backlight could die. Normally, AppleCare for a Cinema Display is $99. I picked it up on eBay for $42. So it was more than worth it.

[mchalebk]

It's really very simple. Apple Care is worth the money... if you ever use it. The problem is that it's impossible to know if you're going to need it.

The fact of the matter is that most electronic failures occur early in the life of the device. If it makes it through the factory warranty period without any failures, you will probably get several more failure-free years out of it.

When you purchase an extended warranty, you are gambling. You are making a bet that your merchandise will fail after the factory warranty expires, but while the extended warranty is still in effect. It is a fact that manufacturers know the odds and have priced the warranty accordingly (meaning they will make money on them).

It's your money. If it makes you feel better, go for it. But the odds are you are giving away a fair amount of money with a small chance of getting anything in return.

[macgruder]

AppleCare is only useful for laptops. Its a complete waste of money for desktop equipment.

AppleCare for $1099 laptop is $249

AppleCare for $3700 MacPro & Monitor is also $249

Laptops may be more likely to break but you're also paying a premium

As for just a monitor, $99 seems a reasonable deal. Especially as it's something that you would like have to totally replace if any part of it broke.

[Lord Zedd]

Apple monitors are already very overpriced for the low-end technology and pretty case you buy, I wouldn't inflate the already high price any further.

[macgruder]

Apple monitors are already very overpriced for the low-end technology and pretty case you buy, I wouldn't inflate the already high price any further.

The 23" monitor is $899. It's about the cheapest S-IPS monitor you can buy. For pro color work, it's a very good buy. Other S-IPS monitors tend to cost over $1100.

Low-end technology it is not.

[anim8or]

The 23" monitor is $899. It's about the cheapest S-IPS monitor you can buy. For pro color work, it's a very good buy. Other S-IPS monitors tend to cost over $1100.

Low-end technology it is not.

I second that, i am more than happy with my two 23" monitors, i have had problems in the past with LCD colours ot 'living' up to what i expect.

[Lord Zedd]

I disagree.
http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/apple-cinema-display-23/4505-3174_7-30964608.html
The bottom line: The Apple 23-inch Cinema Display is low on extras and high on price. Still, one look at this gorgeous LCD, and you'll kiss your practicality good-bye.

"Surprisingly poor clarity, fuzzy image & low refresh rate"

http://www.macworld.com/article/43110/2005/02/23inchlcd.html
Default colors were off on first unit we received; no VGA connection; no S-Video or composite connectors.

Expensive; slightly washed-out colors; no S-Video or composite connectors.

Expensive; no S-Video or composite connectors.

[macgruder]

I disagree.
http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/apple-cinema-display-23/4505-3174_7-30964608.html


http://www.macworld.com/article/43110/2005/02/23inchlcd.html

The MacWorld review you posted is 3 years old. The CNET review you posted says Editors Rating: Very Good and is 4 years old.

(plus 'the washed colors' is about the Samsung and "Surprisingly poor clarity" is a user comment.)

[RaceTripper]

The MacWorld review you posted is 3 years old. The CNET review you posted says Editors Rating: Very Good and is 4 years old.I didn't read those reviews, but did they bother to do a proper hardware calibration? Making comments about color on a S-IPS panel makes no sense before it's been calibrated. My 23" ACD looked so-so when I took it out of the box. It looks awesome calibrated.

[macgruder]

I didn't read those reviews, but did they bother to do a proper hardware calibration? Making comments about color on a S-IPS panel makes no sense before it's been calibrated. My 23" ACD looked so-so when I took it out of the box. It looks awesome calibrated.

I think you are quoting the wrong guy :D

btw what calibration tools did you use. My ACD came last week, and my MacPro comes tomorrow.

[svpribyl]

As a life policy, buying after-market, or extended warranty insurance almost never pays off. You will pay much less over the course of a lifetime for repairs than you would purchasing all the insurances offered on everything from digital watches to new trucks. Everyone from the salesman to the insurance execs are hoping you make the sucker's choice. Why do you think they push so hard?

I agree. I recently had to have my 30" ACD repaired and the cost is around $459 at the Apple Store (out of warranty, no Applecare). The money I've saved over the years in NOT buying Applecare will easily covers this repair expense

[macgruder]

I agree. I recently had to have my 30" ACD repaired and the cost is around $459 at the Apple Store (out of warranty, no Applecare). The money I've saved over the years in NOT buying Applecare will easily covers this repair expense

I agree with this to a certain extent. However, having paid $4000 on new equipment and $249 for extended warranty for something that if it seriously went wrong would affect my income, I see it simply as insurance.

[RaceTripper]

I think you are quoting the wrong guy :D

btw what calibration tools did you use. My ACD came last week, and my MacPro comes tomorrow.About the cheapest one: Spyder2Express (about $60). It works well enough for my hobby photography.

[MacDuck]

I have a 23" ACD that I purchased 2 years ago when I got my MacPro. Getting AppleCare on the thing was definitely worth it. In a little over a year, the power supply went out. I dragged the whole thing to the Apple Store and they gave me a new power supply, no questions asked.

A few months later, the USB/Firewire went out on it (making sure to test that all the connections were fine on my end and also testing it out on my MBP). I also had a few dead pixels as well. They shipped me a whole new screen after dropping the original one down at the Apple Store.

Now, no dead pixels (it was really irritating to have one green pixel in the exact middle of the screen)...everything works perfectly. I would highly recommend Apple Care.

I happen to think that if you can afford an ACD, you can afford the Apple Care....just my two cents.

[krye]

It's really very simple. Apple Care is worth the money... if you ever use it. The problem is that it's impossible to know if you're going to need it.

The fact of the matter is that most electronic failures occur early in the life of the device. If it makes it through the factory warranty period without any failures, you will probably get several more failure-free years out of it.

When you purchase an extended warranty, you are gambling. You are making a bet that your merchandise will fail after the factory warranty expires, but while the extended warranty is still in effect. It is a fact that manufacturers know the odds and have priced the warranty accordingly (meaning they will make money on them).

It's your money. If it makes you feel better, go for it. But the odds are you are giving away a fair amount of money with a small chance of getting anything in return.

It's no different than car insurance. We all pay it, and many of us never use it.

[mashinhead]

applecare is worth it on anything that you are going to keep for a long time, not something you're not. so yea i would get it for an acd

[krye]

The MacWorld review you posted is 3 years old. The CNET review you posted says Editors Rating: Very Good and is 4 years old.

(plus 'the washed colors' is about the Samsung and "Surprisingly poor clarity" is a user comment.)

Besides, who wants to crap up the look of their monitor with extra I/O ports that never get used. I mean S Video? Really? If you want video capture, buy a video capture card. Or use a USB/1394 input device.

[mchalebk]

It's no different than car insurance. We all pay it, and many of us never use it.Actually, it is very different from car insurance. You are required by law to have some amount of car insurance. If you finance your car, you will be required to carry more than the minimum amount. With extended warranties, there is no requirement.

One other comment. I would recommend disregarding commentary that says "it's definitely worth it" without listing any qualifications. It's possibly worth it. It might be worth it. It probably is not worth it. But it is most definitely NOT "definitely worth it".

It is only worth it if you have a failure after the factory warranty has expired and before the extended warranty expires.

It's your money, do as you see fit. But there is a reason why consumer groups routinely say that extended warranties are not worth the money.

[Lord Zedd]

Besides, who wants to crap up the look of their monitor with extra I/O ports that never get used. I mean S Video? Really? If you want video capture, buy a video capture card. Or use a USB/1394 input device.

Or buy a monitor that has it built-in to the product and price.

[jjahshik32]

Or buy a monitor that has it built-in to the product and price.

Just curious on your sig... your powermac g5 can use the ati x1900??

[bld44]

LCD displays have been around long enough to not have issues. The only thing that can be a problem is the backlight going out which won't likely happen until you are way past the 5 year mark, and that is with daily use.

Yeah right. Just search this forum and the Apple support forum for reliability problems in the construction of the 23" ACDs. I have been through my fair share of ACDs looking (forget the number, 6 or 7 that all had problems) for a good build and would definitely buy the Apple care for the 23".