Another example of why Apple Care is a must with MacBook Pros

[mcpix]

I've always been a big proponent of buying Apple Care (and now AppleCare +) for all my MacBooks. On my 2012 MacBook Pro, Apple replaced the display twice. The first time was when I accidentally used lens cleaner and destroyed the coating on my MacBook display. I was honest with them and admitted my mistake, and they still fixed it for free. For the second display repair, I also needed to have the battery replaced and asked them to provide that service at the same time and just charge me. They replaced both the display and battery for free.

This past week I decided to send in my 2017 13" MacBook Pro for the keyboard fix. It wasn't really a problem all the time, but occasionally the space bar was a little sticky and sometimes random keys would also stick. My AppleCare + was due to expire later this month, so I decided to send it in. My laptop also had a ding in the back corner where it had accidentally dropped on the floor (I fell asleep on the couch!). I asked the tech if I could pay the $99 repair fee and have both the top and bottom case replaced. I took the laptop to FedEx on Thursday, and received it back today (Saturday). Apple replaced both the top display and the bottom case ( I assumed this would be replaced with the keyboard) all for free. It's like having a brand new computer!

 

[involuntarheely]

truth is AC+ may be necessary because macbooks do fail after the warranty period and they are difficult to repair and Apple often quotes outrageous prices. owning a macbook is a privilege, basically. thanks Apple!

 

[sub150]

Well you still have a crappy keyboard. The keyboard would have been covered with or without AC+, and the other two replacements were your fault.

AC+ is two years of service, so it's not it's a lifetime of discounted repairs. They are difficult to repair. If you are worried about damage, you should treat it like "owning" an Audi, get rid of it before the warranty is up!

I had a MBA for 6 years without any issues. A ton of battery cycles but after 6 years AC+ isn't fixing that!

 

[lambertjohn]

I've never bought AC or AC+ for any of my Macs, and never needed it. Waste of money in my opinion. I just take care of my equipment and it lasts. My 2010 MBP is still going strong after 10 years! Pretty amazing. My 2018 Air is still working perfectly too--yes, even the keyboard.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I've never bought AC or AC+ for any of my Macs, and never needed it. Waste of money in my opinion. I just take care of my equipment and it lasts. My 2010 MBP is still going strong after 10 years! Pretty amazing. My 2018 Air is still working perfectly too--yes, even the keyboard.

There are a lot of people who take good care of their Macs and still have problems with hardware on occasion.

There are also people who buy or are gifted Macs and can’t really afford to pay full price for possible repairs. As such, it makes sense for people in that situation to buy AppleCare+.

 

[maflynn]

My 2018 Air is still working perfectly too--yes, even the keyboard.

The sad truth is that recent years seemed to show an overall decrease in quality. There's been enough -gates that purchasing applecare is a must imo

 

[hallux]

bottom case ( I assumed this would be replaced with the keyboard)

Technically, that's the topcase. The display is the display assembly, the plate on the bottom (removed to access the internals of the system) I believe is the bottom case.

 

[nick9191]

It depends on where you live. I’m covered under law for 6 years from purchase in case of a product defect. The only benefit of AppleCare+ for me seems to be accidental damage cover, but I already have that anyway with my credit card.

Apple should go further and offer on site support like Dell.

 

[clueless88]

I wonder why Apple just doesn't increase the price and include the AppleCare+ coverage in all of their products?

That would be the only way that I would get AppleCare+ coverage.

Not sure about Apple, but the "additional insurance coverage" that the extended warranty that retailers offer (like new vehicle extended warranties) are a major source of profit for the retailers.

I have always declined the additional coverage. That being said, one of my offspring had purchased warranty coverage for his android phone and when it sustained damage, he submitted a claim with the company and was informed that that model phone was no longer in stock and so they refunded his purchase price. He went and purchased the newer version of the phone which cost less than the original phone--of course the company no longer offered replacement coverage for damaged phones.

 

[dinobear]

I've never paid that extra tax and never actually needed it.
2002 Ti Powerbook G4 to my latest 2018 mbp (with a bunch of laptops in between) and I've luckily never had any issues that would have made apple care worth the $$$. Over the past 16 years, apple care on all my computers would have costs 6*$300 = $1800. $1800 is a nice discount toward my next computer!

If you end up using it once though, im sure it would pay for itself from all the years of not needing it.

 

[SkiHound2]

It's insurance and I have no doubt it makes a lot of money for Apple. Apple wants $269 on a 13" MBP, on the base $1299 that's over 20%. If they sell 20 units with AC+ they bring in $5,380. They could replace 4 units at list price and still have a little left over profit. The want $249 for a $1K low end MBA, that's 25%. Might make more sense on really higher end MBPs where the cost isn't as great as a percentage of the product. As a giggle I just priced out a super high end 16" MBP, came to $6,699. AC+ was an additional $379 adding about 5.66% to the overall cost. Insurance might be worth it to some for peace of mind and if you're one of the folks that needs it you'll be glad you bought it. But it's hard for me to see it as a very good value. If it protected you for 5 years and you planned to keep your device at least that long? But it effectively adds only 2 additional years. That's really my take on extended warranties. They push them because they are high profit add ons.