I think he's talking about how the SSD and RAM are inseparable, and thus, if the motherboard dies, you are not only forking out for that, you are forking out for new RAM and SSD too. It's not just Apple Tax, it's an Apple Crime.
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AppleCare+ for New 16-Inch MacBook Pro Costs $399
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Nobody is forced to buy the computer though. They tell you upfront everything is one inseparable piece. They dedicated a good portion of the keynote explaining that.
But it's like health insurance. If you don't need it, it's a total ripoff, but if you get sick, you are (usually) damn glad you have it. Car insurance is required in many states, and I haven't had a 'covered incident' in decades, so I've been pure profit for them. My brother had an accident nearly every year for over a decade (hitting deer, etc) so they lost money on him. But, on computers, I get AppleCare. It's just so worth it. I've had the best coverage, and results, with AppleCare. I'd recommend that if people really want to save money, watch for any sales or wait until those models hit the refurb store, and save money that way. (I've only had one iMac from the refurb store fail, and with AppleCare, I was offered an on-the-spot replacement. Damn glad I had AppleCare then I was)
If these devices had any degree of user repairability, I would probably agree that AppleCare+ is unnecessecary for most. But users/owners cannot repair ANY basic hardware failures, so I'm gonna disagree and say that AppleCare+ is a worth it, given the price of these devices.
That is, unless your Louis Rossman (but if that's the case, you wouldn't be buying a Mac anyways
)Yeah typically extended warranties are not worth it if you can afford to replace/fix if something happens. And if you can't, then you should probably not buy an expensive computer to begin with. That said, I have bought AppleCare+ for my wife's 2016 15" MBP mainly for the accidental damage coverage. I had to replace a trackpad and a keyboard (on separate occasions) on her previous unibody MBP because of a spill (keyboard) and a dropped objected (broke the trackpad). I was able to do those repairs myself but with the newer designs that's not really an option. She uses her computer a lot on the couch and leaves it sitting around in not the greatest spots and we have a bunch of young kids running around the house constantly. Since she got the high end model it was well worth the extra money for AC+ simply for peace of mind. We didn't actually have any accidental damage claims but had several repairs for the crappy keyboard, as well as broken thunderbolt ports. When we replace the machine with a new one I will likely get AC+ again. Unfortunately our coverage ended not long before they started offering annual extensions. If that had been an option I would have jumped on it as the main reason for ditching this machine will be the keyboard when it breaks again (not lack of power).
With THAT many problems, I’m doubting now whether or not I should buy an MBP. That’s scary!
It’s different from health insurance because you won’t die if your MBP fails. You could die if your body fails.
What you’re calling “car insurance” is really accident insurance. Most insurance policies won’t pay for a dead battery, flat tire, or failing engine.
Now there ARE some companies that push products that they CALL insurance against car repairs, but there’s a lot of fraud out there. It’s like those “whole home warranties” that you see for $400-$500 for a full year. Those companies won’t pay if anything REALLY serious happens like your heating/air conditioner system fails. And that’s because you didn’t buy the “premium” coverage, lol!
I’ve had AC for my last two iPhones but not my last two apple watches.
And I'd probably go the opposite. I've nearly smashed my Apple Watches, and they usually end their service with me with dents, and small scratches on the face. I totally believe that I will have a tragic end to an Apple Watch in my life. I'm just rough on my toys. If Apple is willing to 'insure' my rough treatment, I'm okay buying it...
Hmm... But health insurance is 'sickness insurance'. I've never tried to claim a dead engine, but I've never had an engine die. Maybe if they did die more often, car insurance would cover it.
Switching to those 'extended warranties' on cars, are a complete waste of money, which is why I get so many calls and offers in the mail. It's TOTAL PROFIT. I've also heard people grumbling about those 'coverage plans'. When you need them, they usually have high 'co-pays', and often don't cover *all* of the expenses needed to get your car back on the road. Imagine health insurance covering the bandaids and Kleenex, and not covering the resetting of the broken leg that needed those items. *shrug* AND people can get 'warranties' for their houses now too. PROFIT PROFIT PROFIT, and tons of stories of what they also don't cover...
There are always people out there that need your money more than you do. Realizing that there are outright CROOKS making billions on fear should help people decide what is worth the price, and what is a con.
AppleCare, to me, is a necessity for many of their products. A 3k notebook? If I swallowed hard buying it, and need it, I'll be out if/when something happens to it. I'll get AppleCare. Sadly I usually don't figure that into my original cost, but not buying it at the onset means that it's not likely that one will get it before the time is up.
As someone who has never had a laptop function 100% for more than a year and a half - I am VERY hard on laptops, and if Apple knew how poorly I treated them would likely deny a claim - I do want to get AppleCare+
However, as I was frantically trying to purchase at launch time and getting errors - I skipped the option just to get the process to complete. How can you just go buy it once you have already placed the order..I assume that is a possibility?
- I do want to get AppleCare+However, as I was frantically trying to purchase at launch time and getting errors - I skipped the option just to get the process to complete. How can you just go buy it once you have already placed the order..I assume that is a possibility?
Given this is the first massive design update (the internal)
I expect there might be unexpected issues
Given I had 2 hardware failures in last 2 years without AC+ (2018 15" MBP)
I definitely would buy it and consider it as part of a machine used daily with heavy tasks
I expect there might be unexpected issues
Given I had 2 hardware failures in last 2 years without AC+ (2018 15" MBP)
I definitely would buy it and consider it as part of a machine used daily with heavy tasks
You generally have 60 days (and in some places up to a year) from date of purchase, to get AppleCare+As someone who has never had a laptop function 100% for more than a year and a half - I am VERY hard on laptops, and if Apple knew how poorly I treated them would likely deny a claim
However, as I was frantically trying to purchase at launch time and getting errors - I skipped the option just to get the process to complete. How can you just go buy it once you have already placed the order..I assume that is a possibility?
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202702
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Generally, this is true, but always check the terms and benefits of the specific Card. Of course, Apple Card does NOT extend the manufacturers warranty.
I never get extended warranties, except for AppleCare. But I don't have any other products whose manufacturer maintains a network of walk-in service centers. Granted, I live in NYC, with multiple Apple stores in a stone's throw, but I like, after spending $4,000 on a product I need to produce income, to have a partner in the manufacturer who's always there if any issues arise.
I read through all 6 pages of this thread, and I see a lot of credit card extended warranty advocates. But how easy is it to file a claim, and how long does it take for you to receive compensation? What kind of evidence or documentation must you provide? In short? Is it not more trouble than it's worth versus AppleCare, which is about as trouble-free as you can get? No forms need to be filled out and you don't need to do much waiting with AppleCare. I think the convenience aspect of it needs to be given a lot of consideration.
With that said, I've avoided buying it mostly to save money and hope for the best, but at the times when I did buy it, I ended up using it. On my late 2009 iMac, the graphics card died just after the 3rd year, a month after AppleCare expired. I wrote to Tim Cook and he had a manager get back to me. In the end, I got a free repair that otherwise would have cost many hundreds of dollars. The only caveat was that I had to physically take the machine into an Apple Store at the time, although that might have changed now with COVID-19. Pickup and delivery is best, especially when you live far from an Apple Store AND have to pay for parking, like I do.
With that said, I've avoided buying it mostly to save money and hope for the best, but at the times when I did buy it, I ended up using it. On my late 2009 iMac, the graphics card died just after the 3rd year, a month after AppleCare expired. I wrote to Tim Cook and he had a manager get back to me. In the end, I got a free repair that otherwise would have cost many hundreds of dollars. The only caveat was that I had to physically take the machine into an Apple Store at the time, although that might have changed now with COVID-19. Pickup and delivery is best, especially when you live far from an Apple Store AND have to pay for parking, like I do.
I wouldn't prioritize any credit card warranty over Apple care. I know that people have good experience with AmEx if the product fails but other card companies go through a third party instead of direct like AmEx.
I've ben buying MacBooks since 2009 and am on my 8th one. Apple never disappointed with making a claim. They do give you special attention if you buy their warranty. Can I really get a replacement through a CC if 1 pixel burns on the screen? With Apple Care+ I can. In the past it was things like the hinge on MB going loose and the battery going below 80% so I got those fixed before AC+ expired but today I notice the batteries are better and these new Macs don't get hot so unlikely it will fail. I mainly got the AC+ for 3 years on the new MBP 16 because of the screen. It's probably expensive to replace.
I also had a situation with the 2012 MBP retina 15". I was traveling for work with it and I couldn't get ot a store. 3 months after AC+ expired, I went to an Apple store and handed it in for a noisy fan. The tech told me the battery was going out too. After telling them my schedule issue and expecting nothing, the manager took it in to replace both issues for free. The person fixing it noted that she also saw liquid in the speaker so she replaced it. Anyways, I gave that repaired MacBook to a sibling in 2016 and she's still using it today. I don't get apple care for phones and never ended it. Well once I did but the new screens are stronger.
I sincerely appreciate the detailed information you wrote and found it to be extremely helpful.
What is your opinion on the fixed 3-year $399 AppleCare+ vs. the alternative AppleCare+ where you pay $149 (for 16" MBP) annually for as along as you like?
For example, if you have reasons why you would go with the recurring Annual $149 AC+, would you pay it for one or two years and then stop? Or would you keep paying it for a number of years after that? Obviously, at some point it stops making sense (after 5 years?), but I'm curious how you feel about it.
I always buy the whole 3 years because upfront with product purchase because things will probably fail at the latest. The more time passes, the cheaper these things get on the used market so maybe if my screen breaks in year 4 I can get one used cheaper. But I get the feeling this Mac will last longer than the previous ones. My only concern is the screen since it’s newer tech.
The nice thing about Amex is you don’t have to make it a one or the other sort of deal. Amex will add +1 to Apple Care.
I haven’t had to use Amex for my MBP yet, but Amex is typically a refund when they pay out. As a result, it is better than Apple Care as you’re able to purchase a newer model instead of ending up with a refurb. In year 4 thats pretty valuable.
They prefer refund over repair as it keeps them from needing to payout multiple times if the refurb isn’t all that great.
I've been buying Macs since 2007. The only Mac that I bought AC for was the 2011 Mini and that was because it was only $99. Never needed to use it and that is exactly why I haven't purchased it for an Mac other than that one.
Didn't need it for my 2019 16" MBP and I will not need it for my 2021 16" MBP.
It's designed to be an extra profit margin for these companies because the amount that they pay out in. repairs never exceeds the amount they take in, same with car warranties.
Didn't need it for my 2019 16" MBP and I will not need it for my 2021 16" MBP.
It's designed to be an extra profit margin for these companies because the amount that they pay out in. repairs never exceeds the amount they take in, same with car warranties.
really? my 2019 got some weird screen stain after 1 year passed so I was happy to get rid of it with eh trade in. Also I was clipping my nails and the nail clipper bounced off the keyboard and hit the screen, chipping a tiny chip in the bottom of screen. Crap happens. At least I can feel ok about taking this Mac outside the house and if I drop it... oh well. but like I said, I get the feeling these Macs are built better than pervious so its optional. I never actually broke a MacBook.
Also almost always left out of these discussions is the FREE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE QUESTIONS that also comes with AppleCare. That alone is worth the [now] annual premium to me, and the warranty/insurance against defects or accidents is extra gravy. I spent an hour on the phone with Apple last night, and learned how to fix 2 common problems across 5 Apple products (phone, watch, 2 laptops, iMac).
I don't usually buy extended warranties either, but I ALWAYS do for Apple products. $100 or $150 a year on a $4500 machine with new technology, with free tech help any day, is an EASY NO BRAINER for me. All the whining about it above misrepresents/exaggerates the cost ("20%!") and hugely underestimates the benefits. They are the ones being penny-foolish, IMHO. But to each his own.
PS: I've been buying Apple products since 1987.Also almost always left out of these discussions is the FREE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE QUESTIONS that also comes with AppleCare. That alone is worth the [now] annual premium to me, and the warranty/insurance against defects or accidents is extra gravy. I spent an hour on the phone with Apple last night, and learned how to fix 2 common problems across 5 Apple products (phone, watch, 2 laptops, iMac).
I don't usually buy extended warranties either, but I ALWAYS do for Apple products. $100 or $150 a year on a $4500 machine with new technology, with free tech help any day, is an EASY NO BRAINER for me. All the whining about it above misrepresents/exaggerates the cost ("20%!") and hugely underestimates the benefits. They are the ones being penny-foolish, IMHO. But to each his own.
I guess im kinda stupid cause I forget about this option. I buy the AC and then I go on YouTube and forums trying to get answers to questionsAlso almost always left out of these discussions is the FREE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE QUESTIONS that also comes with AppleCare. That alone is worth the [now] annual premium to me, and the warranty/insurance against defects or accidents is extra gravy. I spent an hour on the phone with Apple last night, and learned how to fix 2 common problems across 5 Apple products (phone, watch, 2 laptops, iMac).
I don't usually buy extended warranties either, but I ALWAYS do for Apple products. $100 or $150 a year on a $4500 machine with new technology, with free tech help any day, is an EASY NO BRAINER for me. All the whining about it above misrepresents/exaggerates the cost ("20%!") and hugely underestimates the benefits. They are the ones being penny-foolish, IMHO. But to each his own.
On my 2018 MacBook Pro, my logic board went out. It would have cost me over 1k to replace it. For this reason, I am glad I bought Apple Care. I just bought a new 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 and will buy AppleCare before my 60 days are up. It's one of those things, like car insurance. You may never use it. Yet, when something happens, you are glad you did have it. For others, it's peace of mind.