I'm a first time Mac buyer. If it breaks, I will have no clue how to fix it. My friends and family have usually helped me with any PC problems I have had, but they assure me they know nothing about Macs, so I'll be on my own. Is AppleCare a smart purchase for me? I don't really know how it could break, but I'd hate to be surprised. Is the warranty only available at the time of purchase? And, finally, is it transferable? If I buy a new Mac before my 3 years is up, can the remainder of the warranty be transferred to my new computer? Or if I sell this Mac down the line, can the warranty go to the buyer?
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Is AppleCare Worth It?
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I personally think it is worth it
Others will no doubt disagree
You have 1 year from the date of purchase to buy Apple Care
It is transferable with the machine, but not to another machine
It does not cover accidental damage or spills
Others will no doubt disagree
You have 1 year from the date of purchase to buy Apple Care
It is transferable with the machine, but not to another machine
It does not cover accidental damage or spills
3 years of comprehensive peace of mind = $5.50 / month. So worth it, IMHO.
FWIW, I would get AppleCare for less (in factory wrapped box) via LA Computer Company (in Anaheim, CA) rather than through Apple Stores, just for the savings.
AppleCare is almost a must on a laptop computer as so much is not user serviceable or replaceable, unlike a desktop. If the logic board fails after 1 year without AppleCare, it will probably cost $700-$1000 to have it repaired. Most usually just end up buying a new machine if and when that happens out of warranty.
Insurance is never worth it until you need to use it. We've had an office iMac go through 6 repairs at no cost. Worth it then.
No problems with my MacBook Pro at home. Not worth it unless something goes wrong in the future.
No problems with my MacBook Pro at home. Not worth it unless something goes wrong in the future.
DEFINITELY worth it for laptops. They take more abuse than desktops.
I used way more than what I originally paid for AppleCare for my MacBook (expired yesterday! ). Something happened with the sound, which was unfortunately connected to the logicboard...BUT since I had AppleCare it was fine. This would have cost a TON to fix on my own. I also had a frayed power cord that got replaced, and I think I had a few visits to the Genius Bar for a few random issues as well.
I've never gotten a warranty on a desktop and have never needed one, but that's just my experience.
I used way more than what I originally paid for AppleCare for my MacBook (expired yesterday!
). Something happened with the sound, which was unfortunately connected to the logicboard...BUT since I had AppleCare it was fine. This would have cost a TON to fix on my own. I also had a frayed power cord that got replaced, and I think I had a few visits to the Genius Bar for a few random issues as well.I've never gotten a warranty on a desktop and have never needed one, but that's just my experience.
I think so
I have always bought it for a laptop.
I bought it for my MacPro Desktop a couple of years ago, a first.
I had problems with that Desktop, the first in all my Apple/Mac years. They replaced the raid card, the graphics card, the logic board. They then sent me a new MacPro and refunded the balance of the Apple Care on the replaced MacPro. Did I get my money's worth, YES. Would I buy Apple Care again, Yes.
Apple also replaced my TimeCapsule after it died after 18 months, because I had the Apple Care on my MacPro.
I have always bought it for a laptop.
I bought it for my MacPro Desktop a couple of years ago, a first.
I had problems with that Desktop, the first in all my Apple/Mac years. They replaced the raid card, the graphics card, the logic board. They then sent me a new MacPro and refunded the balance of the Apple Care on the replaced MacPro. Did I get my money's worth, YES. Would I buy Apple Care again, Yes.
Apple also replaced my TimeCapsule after it died after 18 months, because I had the Apple Care on my MacPro.
Yes, but keep in mind that you can purchase it from ebay from some reputable seller or cheaper than what Apple sells it for. (Same service)
How are other retailers selling Apple's warranty? I mean, do any other computer manufacturers do this? It seems kind of odd to me.
Absolutely worth it, especially for laptops. If you are a student or teacher, the educator's price of $189. from Apple is a good deal.
Well worth it, for peace of mind and it gives three years cover; I have Applecare on my MBP.
As a number of other posters have pointed out, you do not have to buy it immediately as Apple gives a one year warranty/guarantee with all new Macs. However, you must purchase Applecare before the expiry of that first year, - and not one minute later - or you will not be able to purchase it at all.
Cheers and good luck
As a number of other posters have pointed out, you do not have to buy it immediately as Apple gives a one year warranty/guarantee with all new Macs. However, you must purchase Applecare before the expiry of that first year, - and not one minute later - or you will not be able to purchase it at all.
Cheers and good luck
It depends on what kind of a person you are. I'd buy Applecare if I wanted a computer for three years (or more) of use, if I felt that I was responsible enough not to physically damage the computer, and if I felt that my home was safe.
I'd buy personal property insurance from an insurance company if I felt that I might inadvertently damage my machine or if I was susceptible to robberies.
The benefit of that latter is that you don't need to front all of the money and that you are covered for virtually everything. The drawback of the latter is filing claims. The benefit of the former is the great customer service. The drawback of the latter is that Apple rarely repairs computers for accidental damage.
I'd buy personal property insurance from an insurance company if I felt that I might inadvertently damage my machine or if I was susceptible to robberies.
The benefit of that latter is that you don't need to front all of the money and that you are covered for virtually everything. The drawback of the latter is filing claims. The benefit of the former is the great customer service. The drawback of the latter is that Apple rarely repairs computers for accidental damage.
You're basically making a bet by buying applecare, that you think your machine will fail within 3 years. Considering Apple's quality standards, I would probably get applecare. They just don't make them like they used to. Also because they are so locked down it is virtually impossible to repair it yourself. Where as with a PC computer a knowledgeable person could make a repair on less than the cost of the extended warranty.
You also need to take into consideration the ratio between apple care cost and your mac cost.
If, for example you buy a refurbished mac mini for 499$ or even a new one for 599$, it might be a bad deal to get 2 years of warranty for 149$. Same goes to buying the cheapest Macbook, and paying 249$ for the warranty, IMO its just too expensive, and if considering it from a purely rational approach, you should only get it if you think that there is more than 25% chance that:
1. Your mac will fail.
2. That failure won't happen in the first year, but during the 2 next years.
3. That failure would be covered by apple care.
I never did a research on the subject, and although it seems that Macs tend to fail more often these days, I still believe that we're looking at 10%-15% chance. Of course that some would get it just for the "peace of mind", but it doesn't really give you that peace, since there's always the chance that the failure won't be covered by apple care....
However, if your mac is a high-end imac (1699$ and up), then the 169$ apple care is well worth it. Like I said, I believe that the chance of using the apple care, is about 10-15%. At that price, you're paying less than that on the warranty and IMO it's a no brainer. Same goes for the Mac Pro.
An exception to this "rule" is the Macbook Pro. I'd get an apple care for it, no matter what. It has a relatively high failure ratio, out of warranty repairs are extremely pricey and carrying it around all the time doesn't help...
If, for example you buy a refurbished mac mini for 499$ or even a new one for 599$, it might be a bad deal to get 2 years of warranty for 149$. Same goes to buying the cheapest Macbook, and paying 249$ for the warranty, IMO its just too expensive, and if considering it from a purely rational approach, you should only get it if you think that there is more than 25% chance that:
1. Your mac will fail.
2. That failure won't happen in the first year, but during the 2 next years.
3. That failure would be covered by apple care.
I never did a research on the subject, and although it seems that Macs tend to fail more often these days, I still believe that we're looking at 10%-15% chance. Of course that some would get it just for the "peace of mind", but it doesn't really give you that peace, since there's always the chance that the failure won't be covered by apple care....
However, if your mac is a high-end imac (1699$ and up), then the 169$ apple care is well worth it. Like I said, I believe that the chance of using the apple care, is about 10-15%. At that price, you're paying less than that on the warranty and IMO it's a no brainer. Same goes for the Mac Pro.
An exception to this "rule" is the Macbook Pro. I'd get an apple care for it, no matter what. It has a relatively high failure ratio, out of warranty repairs are extremely pricey and carrying it around all the time doesn't help...
Yes, Apple Care is always worth it, if you just buy it using education discount. If you buy it online from Apple, you just visit the education store you get massive discounts on Apple Care which make it well worth it. It doesn't even require proof or anything. With education pricing:
Mac Mini: $99
iMac: $119
Macbook,13" Macbook Pro and Macbook Air: $183
15" and 17" Macbook Pro: $239
Mac Pro: $199
More then worth it for each and every comp Apple sells.
Mac Mini: $99
iMac: $119
Macbook,13" Macbook Pro and Macbook Air: $183
15" and 17" Macbook Pro: $239
Mac Pro: $199
More then worth it for each and every comp Apple sells.
No piece of technology is immune to failure; therefore, purchase AppleCare to protect investment.
Habitus
I've been averaging a new Mac every 3 years for the last 15 years (not because they break--just need the faster models). I've only had one have a serious issue in that time, and it was 13 months after purchase. Thankfully my credit card doubled Apple's warranty (as most credit cards do), and I didn't need AppleCare (Apple was also pretty cool about it, offering to fix it for free because it was a known defect).
I've never bought AppleCare, and never regretted it.
I've never bought AppleCare, and never regretted it.
It is quite usefull particularly if you need assistance over the phone. That's not to mention you get the peace of mind knowing that all manufacturer defects and faults are covered over the 3 years of the product. Of course it does not cover accidental damage, so be careful with it.
You can buy it at anytime within the first year of warranty; please do note phone support for limited warranty is only for 90 days with unlimited incidents. If you need support after the 90 days you need to buy AppleCare. I know many people will tell AppleCare extends your warranty to 3 years (even Apple says that), but AppleCare actually replaces your original warranty and it last 3 years; this is why if you buy a computer with AppleCare it does not way you have warranty, but AppleCareand if you don't have AppleCare it will say 'Limited Warranty'.
Yes and No. You can transfer it to a new machine if you ask around Apple Support, but it is not recommended; the reason again is that AppleCare replaces you warranty, so if you transfer it to another, not only will the warranty only be the remaining time on your agreement, you cannot buy another AppleCare after the current one expires.
That said, you can get a prorated refund for AppleCare if you wish. Do note that if you send your machine for any repair, you won't really any money back because the refund will be reduced by the amount of support and service you have received.
Of course. It is transferable.
Definetly worth it on a laptop.
I bought mine from Ebay (generally not recommended) for 99 instead of 349 from Apple.
Everyone told me I'd be scammed, or when I come to need the Apple Care that it would be flagged and not honored by Apple as I didn't have receipt etc...
Well fortnight ago I had to ring Apple and sort out my MBP. They checked the Apple Care and it was all ok, and my Laptop was fixed no bother.
Thankfully for me Ebay worked out ok, but if your at all nervous - then I'd recommend Apple direct.
I bought mine from Ebay (generally not recommended) for 99 instead of 349 from Apple.
Everyone told me I'd be scammed, or when I come to need the Apple Care that it would be flagged and not honored by Apple as I didn't have receipt etc...
Well fortnight ago I had to ring Apple and sort out my MBP. They checked the Apple Care and it was all ok, and my Laptop was fixed no bother.
Thankfully for me Ebay worked out ok, but if your at all nervous - then I'd recommend Apple direct.
As many have said, it's a must on a laptop.
I think it's a must on an iMac too. I'm on my 3rd internal DVD burner. Now that I'm out of Applecare, it's failed again. I just went and got an external one to be done with it.
Apple computers different greatly from most desktop computers out there in that you can't reach in and fix things like you can with PCs. I never bought an extended warrantee with a PC because I knew no matter the issue, I could tear it apart and fix it. Other than adding RAM to my iMac, I would never think about turning a screw on it to open it.
Mac Pros differ to some extent, but trying buying a new Mac Pro motherboard. Not a lot of options, is there?
I think it's a must on an iMac too. I'm on my 3rd internal DVD burner. Now that I'm out of Applecare, it's failed again. I just went and got an external one to be done with it.
Apple computers different greatly from most desktop computers out there in that you can't reach in and fix things like you can with PCs. I never bought an extended warrantee with a PC because I knew no matter the issue, I could tear it apart and fix it. Other than adding RAM to my iMac, I would never think about turning a screw on it to open it.
Mac Pros differ to some extent, but trying buying a new Mac Pro motherboard. Not a lot of options, is there?
gasp!
and my heart sunk. my guts nearly imploded when I realized the video card died on me in my 2007 MBP.
It was over 2 years old and I opted out of Applecare. I chose not to get it because anytime I needed Apple Warranty service, the computer was under a year old. When that year came around and I knew I had to buy it at that time or cross mhy fingers, I crossed my fingers. All was good until a few months ago.
Thankfully, the specific problem I had was covered under a special warranty program so It didn't matter if I would have had Applecare or not. But that sinking feeling I got - the doom, the dark cloud that for a brief time hovered above me - to alleviate that and the need to replace the machine or the logic board - is well worth the price of AppleCare.
I will ALWAYS get Applecare from now on. Its especially great if you like to buy and sell every couple of years. The new owner/bidders are more likely to bid up to what you really want to get for it, if they know its covered by applecare, even if its only a few months of coverage.
ESPECIALLY when you can buy Apple care at about half-price on eBay.
and my heart sunk. my guts nearly imploded when I realized the video card died on me in my 2007 MBP.
It was over 2 years old and I opted out of Applecare. I chose not to get it because anytime I needed Apple Warranty service, the computer was under a year old. When that year came around and I knew I had to buy it at that time or cross mhy fingers, I crossed my fingers. All was good until a few months ago.
Thankfully, the specific problem I had was covered under a special warranty program so It didn't matter if I would have had Applecare or not. But that sinking feeling I got - the doom, the dark cloud that for a brief time hovered above me - to alleviate that and the need to replace the machine or the logic board - is well worth the price of AppleCare.
I will ALWAYS get Applecare from now on. Its especially great if you like to buy and sell every couple of years. The new owner/bidders are more likely to bid up to what you really want to get for it, if they know its covered by applecare, even if its only a few months of coverage.
ESPECIALLY when you can buy Apple care at about half-price on eBay.