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Is AppleCare worth it?

OrlandoTragic

OrlandoTragic

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 13, 2007
1,517
380
Orlando, FL
Just got a new 13" MBP (I know, I know), and I can get AppleCare for $183 with my education discount.

Do you think its worth it? From what I read, it does not cover battery replacement due to "regular use", and I've never had any hardware issues with any Mac I've owned besides batteries running dry, so do you think its worth the money to get it?

Thanks all. :)
 
+2

If you plan on keeping your laptop, AC is worth it. You might want to check out resellers on eBay.

I've purchased AC for both my MBP and ACD from eBay and saved a lot of $.
 
There is a part of me that says that it should NOT be a required purchase given the "Apple Tax" you pay for these machines. They are unique, you can't get them anywhere else and like a Lexus or a BMW they should offer some better warranty just because you paid the premium for the equipment in the first place.

Having said that, I've had Apple Care protection on the past 4 mac's I've bought. On the first two, I only needed it for minor things. On my most recent MBP purchase (2007) I have needed it no less than 5 times and while I'm upset that I NEEDED it, boy am I glad I HAD it.

-2 battery replacements
-1 screen replacement (original just quit working)
-1 logic board replacement (Nvidia cooked mine to death)
-1 speaker replacement (no idea what happened....they were dead within a month of purchase)

I travel a lot (100,000 miles+ each year) and I have used my Applecare service in multiple cities. Each time, no questions asked. That alone (portability of warranty service) was worth it to me as insurance.
 
duelingdragons said:
Just got a new 13" MBP (I know, I know), and I can get AppleCare for $183 with my education discount.

Do you think its worth it? From what I read, it does not cover battery replacement due to "regular use", and I've never had any hardware issues with any Mac I've owned besides batteries running dry, so do you think its worth the money to get it?

Thanks all. :)
Click to expand...

It's totally worth it. Buy it

I hate to say it but even during the first year if you have to see a Genius they are more accommodating to Apple care folks.

I'm getting a replacement for mine through Apple care - they don't just give away free computers, but they will replace it in the event there are a LOT of issues with your box.
 
FWIW many credit cards offer free 1 year warranty extension so you might want to check to see if yours offers this. It's the reason I don't buy AppleCare. I've used it a couple of times w/ my AMEX. Works great and AMEX is quick to reimburse me.

Fry-man22 said:
I hate to say it but even during the first year if you have to see a Genius they are more accommodating to Apple care folks.
Click to expand...


How so? I've never had an accommodating Genius when I've had an issue. Also it's Apple's standard policy to replace your machine if it's had 3 issues w/i the warranty period. Of course that's only the first year if you don't have AC, and 3 years w/ AC. That would be the real advantage, but I never keep my machines that long anyway.
 
In my opinion no. Here is my reasoning:

The basic Apple Warranty is 1 year. If you use American express to purchase the computer they will automatically double any manufacturers warranty under 5 years if I remember correctly (I just read the policy a few days ago before buying my MBP). Essentially, I got two years of coverage for no additional cost.

To each his own, however.
 
duelingdragons said:
Thanks! I have up until the 364th day after my purchase to buy it, right?

And is buying it on eBay legit?
Click to expand...

I buy .Mac/.Me renewals on eBay every year w/o incident but seems some here have been stung w/ buying AC on eBay. So I guess do your research and find a seller someone here has dealt w/ before. Do an MRoogle search.
 
this isn't even a question worth asking.
If you plan to buy a mac and keep it for more then a year you also buy applecare. The two go hand in hand.

Applecare, has been nothing but amazing to me. I had a 2007 SR MBP, i've had 2 logic board replacement, 2 hard drives, 1 superdrive, 3 batteries, 4 to 5 fans, 2 left i/o boards and a few other goodies. And i have a new 2010 mbp on the way to replace my lemon machine
 
ok2uselane said:
Buy it, now. You never know if something might go wrong. It's good peace of mind, too.
Click to expand...
Other than phone support past 90 days, there's no advantage to buying AppleCare immediately. If "something might go wrong" during the first year of ownership, the standard Apple Warranty will cover it. As long as you buy AppleCare before the end of the warranty, you're fine.
 
GGJstudios said:
Other than phone support past 90 days, there's no advantage to buying AppleCare immediately. If "something might go wrong" during the first year of ownership, the standard Apple Warranty will cover it. As long as you buy AppleCare before the end of the warranty, you're fine.
Click to expand...

I only say now because, in a year, he'll forget.
 
I bought it with an Amex, but I still bought Applecare because the Apple-store warranty is just so good and convenient, and I live about 5 minutes away from a mall with an Apple store in it.
 
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