Idea to stay under warranty

You'll end up spending more, since AppleCare extends the warranty to 3 years. You'd be replacing twice during that time, at a cost much higher than just buying AppleCare.

You would gain Apples undying love.

Try to chase technology and you'll likely find yourself in a losing position.

GGJstudios said:

You'll end up spending more, since AppleCare extends the warranty to 3 years. You'd be replacing twice during that time, at a cost much higher than just buying AppleCare.

Click to expand...

exactly! Although it will be nice to always have the newest mac!

Your MBP will last many years under heavy use. My PowerBook lasted 4 years under very heavy use (drove a 30" ACD as well) until I could not find benefit in the speed, or lack thereof.

As posted. You either use your devices until the break, or will not do what you want them to anymore.

Result? You save money.

OR

You chase the tech. dragon, buy everything new that comes out.

Result?

Bankruptcy...!

Middle ground for me...I set a three year upgrade path for my Macs. I do tend to revert to number 2 here when it comes to the iPhone and the iPad though, but they cost far less than an iMac, MBP or MBA.

I thought about this as well since I bought mine in April of 2011 and did not purchase Apple Care. To be honest I'm going to buy Apple Care this week (I hope since I was supposed to do it last week) and just hope that if anything ever happens I get lucky and they just give me a brand new MBP like some forum members have received.

It only works if you buy below MSRP and sell it at a break even point.

I do that. I don't know why people think it's not worth it if you don't break even. You basically use the computer for less than $1/day after selling it. I'm sure if Apple leased a computer for $1/day people would jump on it..

Like previously said..don't buy it at MSRP, you're just wasting money. And the sooner you sell before the update the more money you'll probably make.

I have my 2 MBP under my home owners insurance. If they get dropped, water on them, stolen. They are covered. Only $78 for both per 6 months. The home insurance dose not cover virus's. Check it out.

Or buy AppleCare at a discount from the L.A. Computer Company or B&H Photo. eBay is full of AppleCare scams but the too-good-to-be-true prices are tempting...

Buying a new Mac every year or so simply to avoid paying for AppleCare doesn't pencil-out as far as I am concerned. I always buy Macs at a discount, usually by getting previous-generation Macs. Refurbs are another way to go. I usually sell the Macs when I'll get the best return on my investment by comparing my initial cost, amount of use I have gotten out of it and the current resale value.

For example, I paid $900 for a brand new 13" MBP. I will be able to use it for at least two years and be able to recoup most, if not all of my original purchase price. I keep my Macs in mint-condition so I get top-dollar when I sell. Having another 6 months or a year of AppleCare on the Mac definitely sweetens the deal for buyers.

jessica. said:

Try to chase technology and you'll likely find yourself in a losing position.

Click to expand...

This.

I bought my iMac knowing that it would need to last me 4 years. Hopefully that will curb the wanting for the next version a bit.

bobinkski said:

I have my 2 MBP under my home owners insurance. If they get dropped, water on them, stolen. They are covered. Only $78 for both per 6 months. The home insurance dose not cover virus's. Check it out.

Click to expand...

With your insurance you are paying $239 for 3 years per MBP. The 3 years AppleCare at lacomputer.com is $250 for the MBP ($180 for the 13" MBP). For an extra $11 more than the $239 that you are paying I get phone support for 3 years. Also, for resale value AppleCare helps that. Besides, after three hardware repair incidents for the same problem, within 3 years, AppleCare replaces the computer with a new one. Will your insurance policy do that?

Let me give you an example why I will continue to buy AppleCare. In 2005, I bought a new 20" 2.10GHz iMac. Had three logic board problems, in 3 years. AppleCare replaced that computer with a new 2008 24" 3.06 iMac. I had three logic board issues with that computer, as well. AppleCare replaced that with a new 2011 27" 3.4GHz Quad core iMac. So far the 2011 iMac has been great, not a single issue. I did buy AppleCare again though.

Taz Mangus said:

Besides, after three hardware repair incidents for the same problem, within 3 years, AppleCare replaces the computer with a new one. Will your insurance policy do that?

Click to expand...

I'm an Applecare proponent here, but I have to play the devils advocate.

His insurance covers if it's lost, stolen or damaged. Will your Applecare do that?

It's about tradeoffs.

Ccrew said:

I'm an Applecare proponent here, but I have to play the devils advocate.

His insurance covers if it's lost, stolen or damaged. Will your Applecare do that?

It's about tradeoffs.

Click to expand...

With most home insurance there is at least a $500 deductible per claim. When you work that into the equation, it doesn't sound so great.

I buy a new one every 10-11 months, that's actually just $200 or so more expensive over a 3 year period than buying AppleCare and using it for 3 years.