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Applecare? Is it really a must have??
- Thread starter onoble
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Oh yeah, its necessary
Considering that, in the last two years, Apple has released frying hot MBPs, and smelly mac Pros, dysfunctional video iPods, and new MBPs with LED screens going bad, and considering that I find far more beachballs and applications dumping out on my MacIntel machines than I ever see, still to this day, on my G4s, I would say, yeah, better buy it. If it was a G4, I'd say no, mine are totally bullet-proof six years later, of course, they were made in Apple's hungry days, before the smug midget gang took over. How quickly they do forget.
Considering that, in the last two years, Apple has released frying hot MBPs, and smelly mac Pros, dysfunctional video iPods, and new MBPs with LED screens going bad, and considering that I find far more beachballs and applications dumping out on my MacIntel machines than I ever see, still to this day, on my G4s, I would say, yeah, better buy it. If it was a G4, I'd say no, mine are totally bullet-proof six years later, of course, they were made in Apple's hungry days, before the smug midget gang took over. How quickly they do forget.
Pretty much I agree.
Here's my little applecare story:
Purchased my PB in 2004 and only recently got applecare work done on it.
Just a few weeks ago I got my PB's screen replace (white spots) before my Applecare expires in Aug.
I figured that this PB version was safe and not full of hidden bugs like the very first 15inch Al PB's were. And for the most part I was right. Except for a dying hard drive (replaced in dec. 06 for $200+) that can be taken care of w/o applecare. And the white-spots on the screen (cost $560).
The new screen lost all backlighting and had to take it back for replacement.
Interesting for me is that my very old lifesaver colour iMac is still running and needs no major fixing.
yes, but what is the probability that your screen is going to need repair after the one year warranty? let's be generous (very generous) and say 10%. so the expected value of not purchasing apple care = (0.1)(400) + (0.9)(0) = $40. $40 that you have to pay in the long run for potential repairs. if you do purchase apple care, your expected value becomes = (0.1)(0) + (0.9)(200) = $180. admittedly, the math behind this doesn't account for a lot of variables, but the point remains that the majority of people who buy apple care won't ever need it.
I owned a powerbook g5 1.5, and that machine ended up needing 2 logic boards replaced and a new hard disk. Probably just my bad luck, but with that first mac alone AppleCare saved me close to $600 I think. I definitely place myself in the camp of pro AppleCare for notebooks, where they undergo more rigorous treatment than sitting under your desk for a few years.
Another thing to keep in mind, if you plan on reselling the machine within the AppleCare window, is having the guarantee still on it makes it a lot more appealing to potential buyers.
Another thing to keep in mind, if you plan on reselling the machine within the AppleCare window, is having the guarantee still on it makes it a lot more appealing to potential buyers.
i'm not buying applecare for my MB. if it dies that's just an excuse for a new one (and i really want a mbp now..lol).
Very good simple analogy. It's actually very similar to the way actuaries figure out insurance rates (and I'm sure some actuaries helped Apple price its Applecare prices).
Hey, out of curiosity, how did that happen?
I think that's what happened to my old G5.
For the record, GET APPLECARE.
I sold my G5 to my dad and shortly after, the thing exploded and had to be replaced.
Applecare replaced it (albeit, after 3 months of waiting) with a MAC PRO 2.66quad! For free!
I'm about to buy Applecare for my mac pro that I've had for almost a year now (didn't have the money when I bought it).
I thought having an Apple Care for your precious Mac product(s) is like having an insurance policy for your vehicle(s). (Beside the fact that you're required to provide insurance in order to be allowed to drive...)
I mean, you wouldn't want to drive without insurance (if you're not a driver, never mind reading the rest), would you? Not that I think that you're a clumsy driver prone to accidents, but many others may be, (that's why some say, "It's not my fault, it is the other party's" but sometimes it is your fault... or it is nature's freak accidents) and I am sure you'd want to protect yourself from them, wouldn't you?
Maybe you are one of many Mac users who have never had any bad luck or malfunction with their Macs. But do you want to talk to yourself that "Well, too bad that you've never had that really."
Let's say you have the best safe driving record and your premium goes down to the floor. But would you still be interested in driving without even a policy that would protect yourself, besides liability? Would you really? Unless you only can afford liability. If that's the case, that's a different story. Because always financial restraints dictate those decisions we all end up making in life anyway.
Of course, you wouldn't want to get an Apple Care for iPod product(s) unless you're full of moola. But I don't see many people who purchase big screen TVs without extended warranties. It just gives you peace of mind. That's all.
I mean, you wouldn't want to drive without insurance (if you're not a driver, never mind reading the rest), would you? Not that I think that you're a clumsy driver prone to accidents, but many others may be, (that's why some say, "It's not my fault, it is the other party's" but sometimes it is your fault... or it is nature's freak accidents) and I am sure you'd want to protect yourself from them, wouldn't you?
Maybe you are one of many Mac users who have never had any bad luck or malfunction with their Macs. But do you want to talk to yourself that "Well, too bad that you've never had that really."
Let's say you have the best safe driving record and your premium goes down to the floor. But would you still be interested in driving without even a policy that would protect yourself, besides liability? Would you really? Unless you only can afford liability. If that's the case, that's a different story. Because always financial restraints dictate those decisions we all end up making in life anyway.
Of course, you wouldn't want to get an Apple Care for iPod product(s) unless you're full of moola. But I don't see many people who purchase big screen TVs without extended warranties. It just gives you peace of mind. That's all.
Here's my advice. I use the $1000 rule. If the computer will cost more than $1000 to replace if it blows up, the A/C is worth it to me. Bought it on my iBook, will but it on my MacBook Pro. Didn't buy it on my mac mini (won't buy it on iPods. Undecided on my future iPhone purchase. Will probably buy that third party to cover accidental damage, but I digress...) Even if you do decide to go with AppleCare, don't buy it with the computer. You have 12 months to purchase it. Scour eBay. I bought my iBook A/C for $70. Bought A/C for my wife's MBP for $53. Use that year wisely, and you'll eventually find a good deal!
Laptops are more failure prone than desktops, whether from Apple or any other vendor. AppleCare may not be a "must-have," but it is a sound investment
Not officially. You may find a sympathetic tech, but it is not an insurance policy. (Speaking of which, you might want to consider an insurance policy that covers this sort of thing if you're accident prone.
Not officially. You may find a sympathetic tech, but it is not an insurance policy. (Speaking of which, you might want to consider an insurance policy that covers this sort of thing if you're accident prone.
It is definitely worth it. I got a replacement Mac Pro when the motherboard on the original one died. Also got a upgrade replacement from a Powerbook G4 to a MacPro 2.33 just last month.
If it weren't for the Apple Care I would have spend thousands on repairs or replacements.
They do if you play dumb. "Uh that dent was there when I got it.. as was the 'Journey' sticker on the motherboard.. I need those fixed please"
Never had it, never needed it. I always thought AppleCare was funny. I mean, I buy Macs because I don't want problems.
I've had four, and they've all been perfect.
Never had it, never needed it. I always thought AppleCare was funny. I mean, I buy Macs because I don't want problems.
I think it's funny when somebody says it's an absolute necessity, like Apple's giving away something for nothing and you're a dope if you don't take it. Anybody can tell stories about how their Mac went through three logic boards, and we can tell stories about how we've never had a problem that AppleCare would have paid to fix. In the end, the only thing you really need to know about AppleCare is, it's a product. Apple prices it to make a profit, and we can be sure they do.
But like I said, as a stockholder my feeling is -- go for it!
Exactly. They know they make good products, so they also know AppleCare is a moneymaker.
The same is try of spare parts and repair once the warranty runs out. It is all a matter of risk. How lucky do you feel? My anecdote is this: Machines I did not have any coverage for have failed, and cost substantial amounts to put right - more than the cost of A/C for that Machine. Mac's which have been covered - and that is all for the the machines I've purchased over the last 6 years (iMac, Mac Mini, Power Mac G5 and C2D MBP*) have come with A/C and so far no reason to claim. So go figure!
If you're buying a bundle, then I've often found yo can negotiate a good price on A/C. When I got my MBP I spent about 20% of the price of the computer on accessories and effectively got my A/C for <50% of full price as a result.
[BShareholders: [/B]There are was of getting A/C for much less than full price
The same is try of spare parts and repair once the warranty runs out. It is all a matter of risk. How lucky do you feel? My anecdote is this: Machines I did not have any coverage for have failed, and cost substantial amounts to put right - more than the cost of A/C for that Machine. Mac's which have been covered - and that is all for the the machines I've purchased over the last 6 years (iMac, Mac Mini, Power Mac G5 and C2D MBP*) have come with A/C and so far no reason to claim. So go figure!
If you're buying a bundle, then I've often found yo can negotiate a good price on A/C. When I got my MBP I spent about 20% of the price of the computer on accessories and effectively got my A/C for <50% of full price as a result.
[BShareholders: [/B]There are was of getting A/C for much less than full price
Obviously buying at a discount is better than paying full price, but you have to know that either way Apple isn't selling at a loss. The fact that AppleCare is often sold at a discount should tell you how much they make on extended warranties sold at full price.
I don't think this decision is really about how lucky you feel. Like all other insurance purchases, this calculation is more about whether you can afford to repair or replace the insured item if/when the time comes. You are paying to be protected against losses that you cannot afford to cover yourself. You should not have any expectations of coming out ahead in the deal. All insurers make sure that, overall, you won't.