Always buy AppleCare+ on MBPs

[pshufd]

I mean its a choice, like I say, with the keyboard issues and other complaints even the current generation work for the majority although the failure rate is too high regardless.

But even so, the current generation (2016-) with its retina display, everything soldered on, a keyboard that cannot be replaced independently of the top cover, touch bar cost and so on. Any single repair will be costly and that will not change for future generations of the device. Which I would say is reason enough to not skip AC at this point or the future on laptops.

I don't mind the way Apple builds their laptops, I want the thinnest and lightest for travel, I cannot get user-replaceable or even easily replaceable components as well. Just not possible. I don't want thicker just to have an HDMI or USB type A. Would rather use a dongle. But thats just me.

Not only Apple doing it now, look at the Surface Laptop, if it goes wrong it truly is a bin case, it simply cannot be opened without destroying it. So you need the care package, at something like $200 for 2 years and you can expect a refurb device as a replacement I would be wary of buying one.

The modern approach is definitely an issue with me. I carry around a 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pro in my bag so obviously weight and size are not an issue. I will not buy the current generation of MacBooks and am waiting to see what is next. The main option for me, if I want to upgrade, is the Mac Mini. I really do not like the iMac concept - if something breaks, then it may be that the whole machine is a brick. I used my 2008 MacBook Pro for ten years. I expect my 2015 MacBook Pro to last a decade so Apple has another five years to make something reliable. I always have Windows as an option. The demanding programs that I run could be better run on Windows systems as Windows is the main target platform for those programs. Again, I usually carry two laptops around with me so I could carry Windows for demanding programs and an old MacBook Pro for everything else.

There are a lot of traditional laptops in the Windows world where you can replace or add RAM, SSDs, graphics cards - and generally work on things yourself - by buying a minimal configuration and then adding components over time.

 

[LeeW]

There are a lot of traditional laptops in the Windows world where you can replace or add RAM, SSDs, graphics cards - and generally work on things yourself - by buying a minimal configuration and then adding components over time.

For now certainly, although you can't halt progress and the future I am pretty certain at this point will result in all but workstation-class devices having all user-replaceable parts soldered on to cut cost more than size. In many cases, the supply chain will force this as most providers use the same ones.

 

[pshufd]

For now certainly, although you can't halt progress and the future I am pretty certain at this point will result in all but workstation-class devices having all user-replaceable parts soldered on to cut cost more than size. In many cases, the supply chain will force this as most providers use the same ones.

As you can probably tell by my use cases - I'm fine with workstation-class devices. The really nice thing about those devices is that you can use them for 10+ years. I have a 2008 Dell XPS Studio that's still a decent machine. I've done a fair number of upgrades to it over the years.

 

[jasonp99]

I've had quite a bit of troubles with warranty on my Amex. I had a DJI Mavic Pro that died on me 39 days into owning it, and it took forever to get Amex to deal with it. Ultimately got it replaced but it took almost 5 months. I dropped this computer off on Friday last week and have my new one Tuesday night.

Applecare FTW

We've had good luck so far with a handful of claims. All with Amex. They stalled a bit on a $450 Garmin watch but eventually paid for it. My 2011 MBP battery died mid-2012, after the 1yr stock warranty. They paid for the battery replacement. That one I had the work done first then filed the claim. I bought AC+ on the previous laptop, the TiBook. It died however in year 5 or so (hinge) so didn't get any AC benefit.

But when I get a new one, it'll be something worth thinking of. Just hate to spend $200-$300 for insurance.

I wonder if buying MBP thru Costco would result in a better warranty? They sell Square warranties for their TV's and those are great deal. My 55" Samsung TV had a serious issue (wifi board died, clouding on screen) after 3 years and they sent me a brand new TV (newer model) and didn't even want the old one back.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Just keep in mind that if you buy with a decent credit card (I like Amex for these type of purchases) you get an extra year of warranty. So AppleCare is really only buying that 3rd year. Is it worth it, I don't know?

Extra CC warranty doesn’t extend your coverage for support, nor does it cover incidental damage like AC+. It will likely cover you for repair, but in my experience, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for a diagnosis, file a claim with the CC company, the pray they rule in your favor after a few weeks. If you depend on your laptop every day, it could be a risky, frustrating experience. AC+ is pretty smooth, and you can usually get a new/repaired device within a couple of days.

 

[ghanwani]

Does anyone know if they still sell AppleCare (not AppleCare+)? I usually wait till the end of the first year to buy it.

 

[Cyprusian]

I was disappointed with the Apple Care cover which I purchased at the same time as my 2014 13" MBP.

The screen died on my machine while it was within the three-year life of my Apple Care cover, so I took it to an official Premium Apple Reseller for repair. I was told it would cost me €550 at an Apple Workshop to replace the screen because there was a deformity in the case next to the MagSafe socket on the lower case. This was caused over a year prior to the screen dying when my laptop fell onto the floor from my bed with the MagSafe plug in place. There was no damage to the screen.

I was informed I was fortunate that Apple would repair it at all in view of the lower case deformity. When presented with the option of buying a new machine or paying €550 for the repair, I chose the cheaper of the two options.

I'm unconvinced with the reason given for having to pay full price for a new screen and I'm less than impressed with the limited cover that Apple Care provided in this instance.

 

[ldenning]

Long story here. Have a 2018 15" MBP. Bought in July of 2018. About 3 months ago, the display started glitching out, showing flashes of green/red screen, and brightness couldn't be adjusted. Did all the normal steps, ended up taking it to Apple and they replaced the top case. Was without my computer for a week.

About 4 weeks ago, I started seeing sticky keys on my keyboard (RIP) and my battery life went to ****. I'm talking, fully charged, just browsing the web and checking email I'd get 2 hours out of it. Do all the tests, battery shows "normal" in System Prefs, but can't be without my computer, as I use it to work. Call AppleCare, they order the part to the store, and they tell me if I take it in on Friday night, they'll have it back to me on Sunday.

Yesterday comes, and the store calls me before they open. They've "discovered" other issues that require it to be sent to an offsite repair facility. Two week turnaround time. I don't buy their explanation, as the other issue was my TouchID sensor which had been giving me no issues previously. I'm pretty sure they broke it in the top case replacement process. No loaner laptops available, and no other solution than sending it away.

This is now the 3rd issue in 3 months, that my $3500 machine has had, and if it were a car, would be considered a lemon. I call AppleCare, get sent right to a Customer Relations, who tells me basically, tough luck, send it in, we can't help you.

Mind you, I've owned pretty much every iPhone, 5-6 iPads, and this is my 4th MBP since 2006, all of which had AppleCare, and I've never needed the coverage for hardware on any device. So, I'm not taking this "oh well" response from Apple.

After the customer relations executive says "no thanks" to helping me, I call 1-800-MY-APPLE right back and ask to speak to a Tier 2/Senior AppleCare Manager. Get a guy on the phone who finally agrees to help me. We spend about 3 hours on the phone together, but the long and the short of it is he gets approval to replace my laptop with a 2019 Space Gray 15" with the 8 core and 16GB and 500GB of storage. He's sending it to the Apple Store, and when it comes in, they'll swap my old machine out with the new one.

Long and short of it is, had I not had AppleCare+, I don't think the Apple rep I talked to the 2nd time would've helped me. But now, I'm getting a better machine than I had, and hopefully no more issues.

TL;DR - Buy AppleCare+ if it's available, you never know when you'll need it.

I'm with you. Mine is a fully loaded 2018 top end model from November. Over the past 6 months, the screen has started flashing with multi-colored symbols everywhere occasionally (reinstalled MacOS several times), would reboot itself constantly whenever I left it for any length of time, and finally, the screen just went dead about two weeks ago. AppleCare had me send it in directly. After 4 business days I got it back with a new screen, motherboard, and a bad touchID smart cable replaced. Working like new so far!

 

[pshufd]

I'm with you. Mine is a fully loaded 2018 top end model from November. Over the past 6 months, the screen has started flashing with multi-colored symbols everywhere occasionally (reinstalled MacOS several times), would reboot itself constantly whenever I left it for any length of time, and finally, the screen just went dead about two weeks ago. AppleCare had me send it in directly. After 4 business days I got it back with a new screen, motherboard, and a bad touchID smart cable replaced. Working like new so far!

A $5,000 computer shouldn't require this level of service after a year.

I have two Dell Inspiron laptops in the basement. These were purchased in 1999 and 2000. They both worked the last time I powered them up about three years ago. I used my 2008 MacBook Pro until the screen went out in 2018. That's what I expect from Apple. Or Dell. I have a Dell XPS M1330 from 2008 that works just fine today too. Laptops with a bunch of failures after a year of use? That's ridiculous.

 

[ldenning]

A $5,000 computer shouldn't require this level of service after a year.

I have two Dell Inspiron laptops in the basement. These were purchased in 1999 and 2000. They both worked the last time I powered them up about three years ago. I used my 2008 MacBook Pro until the screen went out in 2018. That's what I expect from Apple. Or Dell. I have a Dell XPS M1330 from 2008 that works just fine today too. Laptops with a bunch of failures after a year of use? That's ridiculous.

Totally agree with you. My 2013 MacBook Pro, fully loaded also, never had a single issue, ever.

 

[Jimmy James]

Well if we’re throwing around money I’d say just buy a new laptop every year. You’ll always have new and a warranty.

 

[mrjohnnyglass]

Well if we’re throwing around money I’d say just buy a new laptop every year. You’ll always have new and a warranty.

I buy a new machine every 3-4 years. In my line of work I do tend to notice the difference. I just gave my wife my 2015 15” and it’s fine for her work (browsing through web pages and checking email).

 

[Rockadile]

Long story here. Have a 2018 15" MBP. Bought in July of 2018. About 3 months ago, the display started glitching out, showing flashes of green/red screen, and brightness couldn't be adjusted. Did all the normal steps, ended up taking it to Apple and they replaced the top case. Was without my computer for a week.

About 4 weeks ago, I started seeing sticky keys on my keyboard (RIP) and my battery life went to ****. I'm talking, fully charged, just browsing the web and checking email I'd get 2 hours out of it. Do all the tests, battery shows "normal" in System Prefs, but can't be without my computer, as I use it to work. Call AppleCare, they order the part to the store, and they tell me if I take it in on Friday night, they'll have it back to me on Sunday.

Yesterday comes, and the store calls me before they open. They've "discovered" other issues that require it to be sent to an offsite repair facility. Two week turnaround time. I don't buy their explanation, as the other issue was my TouchID sensor which had been giving me no issues previously. I'm pretty sure they broke it in the top case replacement process. No loaner laptops available, and no other solution than sending it away.

This is now the 3rd issue in 3 months, that my $3500 machine has had, and if it were a car, would be considered a lemon. I call AppleCare, get sent right to a Customer Relations, who tells me basically, tough luck, send it in, we can't help you.

Mind you, I've owned pretty much every iPhone, 5-6 iPads, and this is my 4th MBP since 2006, all of which had AppleCare, and I've never needed the coverage for hardware on any device. So, I'm not taking this "oh well" response from Apple.

After the customer relations executive says "no thanks" to helping me, I call 1-800-MY-APPLE right back and ask to speak to a Tier 2/Senior AppleCare Manager. Get a guy on the phone who finally agrees to help me. We spend about 3 hours on the phone together, but the long and the short of it is he gets approval to replace my laptop with a 2019 Space Gray 15" with the 8 core and 16GB and 500GB of storage. He's sending it to the Apple Store, and when it comes in, they'll swap my old machine out with the new one.

Long and short of it is, had I not had AppleCare+, I don't think the Apple rep I talked to the 2nd time would've helped me. But now, I'm getting a better machine than I had, and hopefully no more issues.

TL;DR - Buy AppleCare+ if it's available, you never know when you'll need it.

My 2011 MBP is on its 4th logic board and had top case replaced once. Wish I got the "get a new machine" treatment back then.

Looks like the Apple of now is still giving people the run around and refusing service on even more expensive MBP's.

 

[Macintoshrumors]

Wait a min....???

You said in your op that it was a $3500 machine

What were your original specs because if you were to buy the new 2019 in a store... that’s a $2700 spec computer

Not everyone lives in the USA. Might be from a diff country with higher prices. Anyway AppleCare is a must for Macs. They always tend to break when the warranty is almost up. Funny how that works.

 

[steve62388]

Long story here. Have a 2018 15" MBP. Bought in July of 2018. About 3 months ago, the display started glitching out, showing flashes of green/red screen, and brightness couldn't be adjusted. Did all the normal steps, ended up taking it to Apple and they replaced the top case. Was without my computer for a week.

About 4 weeks ago, I started seeing sticky keys on my keyboard (RIP) and my battery life went to ****. I'm talking, fully charged, just browsing the web and checking email I'd get 2 hours out of it. Do all the tests, battery shows "normal" in System Prefs, but can't be without my computer, as I use it to work. Call AppleCare, they order the part to the store, and they tell me if I take it in on Friday night, they'll have it back to me on Sunday.

Yesterday comes, and the store calls me before they open. They've "discovered" other issues that require it to be sent to an offsite repair facility. Two week turnaround time. I don't buy their explanation, as the other issue was my TouchID sensor which had been giving me no issues previously. I'm pretty sure they broke it in the top case replacement process. No loaner laptops available, and no other solution than sending it away.

This is now the 3rd issue in 3 months, that my $3500 machine has had, and if it were a car, would be considered a lemon. I call AppleCare, get sent right to a Customer Relations, who tells me basically, tough luck, send it in, we can't help you.

Mind you, I've owned pretty much every iPhone, 5-6 iPads, and this is my 4th MBP since 2006, all of which had AppleCare, and I've never needed the coverage for hardware on any device. So, I'm not taking this "oh well" response from Apple.

After the customer relations executive says "no thanks" to helping me, I call 1-800-MY-APPLE right back and ask to speak to a Tier 2/Senior AppleCare Manager. Get a guy on the phone who finally agrees to help me. We spend about 3 hours on the phone together, but the long and the short of it is he gets approval to replace my laptop with a 2019 Space Gray 15" with the 8 core and 16GB and 500GB of storage. He's sending it to the Apple Store, and when it comes in, they'll swap my old machine out with the new one.

Long and short of it is, had I not had AppleCare+, I don't think the Apple rep I talked to the 2nd time would've helped me. But now, I'm getting a better machine than I had, and hopefully no more issues.

TL;DR - Buy AppleCare+ if it's available, you never know when you'll need it.

I don't think your post shows you need AppleCare at all. Probably the opposite.

1. If you add up all the money you spent on AppleCare but never used it over the years would it equal the cost of a replacement screen? I bet it would. AppleCare is effectively insurance, it's priced to make Apple money just like any insurance.
2. The sticky keys would have been covered by the extended support program.
3. What country do you live in that has no consumer rights laws? There is no way faults like you describe would not be covered just outside of warranty when in the UK/EU.
4. You don't know the phone call to the rep would not have resulted in the same outcome without AppleCare. I would argue it likely would have because it was just outside of standard warranty and had repeated problems. I had an iPhone and MacBook replaced/repaired outside of warranty. No AppleCare.

I only have paid for AppleCare once, when I got it for £50 on an iMac. That was worthwhile. Other than that, never. I have used consumer laws twice to force Apple to repair hardware, and the day I don't I will have saved enough to pay the repair fee.

 

[CYB3RBYTE]

I have AppleCare+ for the sole reason that I rely on my computer extensively and don't have time to go back and forth with representatives on the phone about coverage of an out of warranty problem.

Another reason is that I don't feel like paying $1,400 for a main logic board repair. That would suck.

 

[jerryk]

I have AppleCare+ for the sole reason that I rely on my computer extensively and don't have time to go back and forth with representatives on the phone about coverage of an out of warranty problem.

Another reason is that I don't feel like paying $1,400 for a main logic board repair. That would suck.

The convenience is reason I have AppleCare+ I have only used it once and it was very easy. They ended up just pulling a new machine from stock and transferring the data over.

 

[Bo15]

Definitely get it. My 2016 MBP15 just went in for the second time. At the 9month point it wouldn’t charge (logic board replace). Today the display died (flexgate?) 1 month before my AppleCare expires. Whew.

 

[960design]

TL;DR - Buy AppleCare+ if it's available, you never know when you'll need it.

Except when statistics prove otherwise.
Our office purchases five MBPr15 every three years ( among other things, iMac27s, MacMinis, ect ). We never purchase AppleCare. Same as listed above, credit card insurance doubles standard 1 year. We take the risk for the last year. Haven't been caught too badly in the last 20 or so MBPr15 since I've been here ( once had a glass replacement due to a pen being left above the touchbar and user closing laptop; that was pricey ).

Insurance has to be a winning scenario for the offering company to be viable.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Except when statistics prove otherwise.
Our office purchases five MBPr15 every three years ( among other things, iMac27s, MacMinis, ect ). We never purchase AppleCare. Same as listed above, credit card insurance doubles standard 1 year. We take the risk for the last year. Haven't been caught too badly in the last 20 or so MBPr15 since I've been here ( once had a glass replacement due to a pen being left above the touchbar and user closing laptop; that was pricey ).

Insurance has to be a winning scenario for the offering company to be viable.

You showed no statistics and nothing proving otherwise as you claim. And the numbers are very different for one person spending a bunch of money vs. a company and lots of money, devices, etc. Either way, I don't think you can base this decision on probablity, stats, or anything like that for an individual user. It is up to them and what they are comfortable with.

 

[960design]

Either way, I don't think you can base this decision on probablity, stats, or anything like that for an individual user.

Hence the exception...

You showed no statistics and nothing proving otherwise as you claim.

My statistics prove nothing for your use case.

It is up to them and what they are comfortable with.

Could not agree more.

 

[venom600]

TL;DR - Buy AppleCare+ if it's available, you never know when you'll need it.

That's wonderful, but it had nothing to do with you having Applecare. Apple routinely replaces machines that have three or more major failures like yours did under warranty (and sometimes out of warranty). It's called the CRU program. It's how I got the one I am using right now, and I know many others that have had machines replaced as well.

 

[Royksöpp]

We all say we're careful and we baby our machines until that one day we have an accident. For such an expensive device any type of coverage is essential.

 

[lixuelai]

My Macs have always either been melons or really reliable so I haven't felt it was worth it to get AppleCare for many years now.

 

[venom600]

We all say we're careful and we baby our machines until that one day we have an accident. For such an expensive device any type of coverage is essential.

I've had expensive Apple notebooks since I was a freshman in high school in 1996. The coverage isn't essential by any means. I've never had an accident. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you have damage coverage already.