AppleCare vs. Geeksquad

[garycurtis]

My iMac was purchased a week before Xmas. After reading here on the forum, I did a search to learn about the advantages of purchasing AppleCare. Considering that my 27" iMac cost $2400, and I am retired, I need some kind of coverage.

The purchase was made at Best Buy, so I can get their GeekSquad insurance plan. Is AppleCare in any way superior? Less or more expensive? Less or more convenient?

 

[AppleFan360]

Get the AppleCare. I wouldn't touch Geeksquad with a ten foot pole.

 

[RoastingPig]

apple care easily.

 

[GGJstudios]

This may help:

Best Buy and AppleCare
AppleCare or Geek Squad PP?
Best Buy warranty vs AppleCare?

 

[Shrink]

I agree with the posts above mine. I've found Applecare to be excellent for all my needs over the years, and my experience with Geeksquad has been awful.

Although nothing is perfect, Applecare tech support, and the included coverage, is worth the money and all of my Apple devices have Applecare, and Applecare+, coverage.

 

[AppleFan360]

By the way, if you are a government employee, educator or military (retired as well), you can get the iMac AppleCare for $119. Great deal! Just use the Apple website to order or show your credentials at the Apple store.

 

[sjinsjca]

Another way to economize while enjoying the superb AppleCare experience is to purchase from a third party. http://www.bhphotovideo.com is particularly good.

 

[BESLC]

I recommend Apple Care. I have carried Apple Care on all my Apple products, iMac ,iPad's and MacBook Pro. I only had one occasion that a repair was required,it was performed quickly with great customer service. The "Big Plus",is the tech support, there are times you have an operation question..they are just a phone call away.

 

[jcr918]

I normally always get AppleCare but I certainly got Bestbuy geek protection and I recommended for a macbook pro or Imac user who actively travels and here's why


Each plan has it's perks example on the Macbook pro you get one applemagic charger for FREE pre year. This is awesome I chase tornado's and have a inverter setup in my truck. I hate having to take my charger in with me. If I am not mistaken the chargers cost $50 x 2 that's $100 right there.

Next you get one free genuine apple battery replacement per plan. I am not sure how much Apple would charge to do this but I am sure it's more then $150

Third you get total protection on your device. You got to ask your self do you find your self needing this ? The answer for me was yes. I am out in harsh elements some times my windows have accidentally have been down before a storm has rolled over my Macbook pro got lightly wet nothing happen but it's nice to know I am covered.



I think it's worth it just depends on your needs. Do you see your self taking a Imac around with you ? I doubt most people move there's so I would stick with AppleCare on a Imac and that's what I got on my Imac.

 

[robgendreau]

Extended warranties generally aren't worth it. Check out Consumer Reports, for example. You're betting your iMac will break; Apple says the opposite. But that being said, AppleCare is probably still better than GeekSquad. These plans get pushed because they are huge profit makers.

But consider as well your credit card. Does it offer extended warranty protection for free?

And what about theft? You may have homeowner's or renter's insurance, but if not, then consider AppleCare doesn't cover that kind of loss or damage; SquareTrade probably does.

 

[garycurtis]

The stories about $800 replacement costs for an LCD screen catch my attention. I don't worry about a Hard Drive. But a logic board going out? That would ruin my day.

And consider that AppleCare is good for 3 years. I'm getting it.

 

[Bear]

The stories about $800 replacement costs for an LCD screen catch my attention. I don't worry about a Hard Drive. But a logic board going out? That would ruin my day.

And consider that AppleCare is good for 3 years. I'm getting it.

$800 is a bit high I think. It's most likely in the $500 to $600 range each for the logic boards and the displays.

 

[Crosscreek]

My iMac was purchased a week before Xmas. After reading here on the forum, I did a search to learn about the advantages of purchasing AppleCare. Considering that my 27" iMac cost $2400, and I am retired, I need some kind of coverage.

The purchase was made at Best Buy, so I can get their GeekSquad insurance plan. Is AppleCare in any way superior? Less or more expensive? Less or more convenient?

Apple care for a IMac.

 

[garycurtis]

Apple care for a IMac.

That's what I got. For an iMac.

 

[azurehi]

What about Squaretrade" http://www.squaretrade.com/

 

[SaSaSushi]

AppleCare, always, every time. The only time I didn't get it was on my very first iMac back in 2006 and that one proceeded to suffer a logic board failure 6 weeks after the one year warranty expired, costing me $550 to replace it myself. I sold it and on every Mac thereafter I've purchased the coverage.

I've used it many times. I haven't had a logic board failure since that first machine but I have had several LCD panels and failed HDDs replaced. It can be purchased and applied at any time within the one year warranty.

If you want to sell a Mac within the AppleCare coverage it also increases resale value. The iMac AppleCare is usually about $120-130 at any given time on Amazon Japan. In the states I recommend buying it from LA Computer. It's currently $115 there.