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AppleCare+ worth it: 16" M1 Max MBP
- Thread starter UBS28
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My general rule of thumb is "No" on desktops (typically not used as mobile device), and "Yes" on laptops (typically mobile) depending on the price/ability to replace if damaged. If you can afford to easily replace the device if you destroy it/something goes wrong, roll the dice. If you can't, AC is a worthwhile investment for the peace of mind.
Bought it for my late 2013 MBP and probably broke even. Around year 2 of ownership, I needed to replace the battery after it started expanding and impacting the keyboard. I'll probably purchase again for my new 2021 MBP considering the ability to self-repair is pretty limited.
I don't believe in extended warranties for the most part they are high profit items for the companies that sell them.
In addition, asking people if their warranty is worth it is like asking a gambler if they are up. You always hear about how they make money yet are usually broke AF and in the hole. The lights don't stay on by giving away money.
Unless you are rough on your electronics, accident prone or have kids using them then apple care is likely not worth it. I guess the way I look at it is this, between my iPhone, wife's iPhone, iMac and MBP I can either buy AppleCare or I can just upgrade the damn things and trade them in / private market them.
I'd rather get new shiny than buy an extended warranty. $400 plus selling this thing outright I'm almost to a new unit. AppleCare is a ripoff imo. You are already burning a year of it with the standard warranty. The only thing its really good for is accidental damage and if you're that careless with your electronics go pick up a $300 HP to throw around the house and use as a coffee coaster.
In addition, asking people if their warranty is worth it is like asking a gambler if they are up. You always hear about how they make money yet are usually broke AF and in the hole. The lights don't stay on by giving away money.
Unless you are rough on your electronics, accident prone or have kids using them then apple care is likely not worth it. I guess the way I look at it is this, between my iPhone, wife's iPhone, iMac and MBP I can either buy AppleCare or I can just upgrade the damn things and trade them in / private market them.
I'd rather get new shiny than buy an extended warranty. $400 plus selling this thing outright I'm almost to a new unit. AppleCare is a ripoff imo. You are already burning a year of it with the standard warranty. The only thing its really good for is accidental damage and if you're that careless with your electronics go pick up a $300 HP to throw around the house and use as a coffee coaster.
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My experience (using Macs since 1984) is in agreement with TechRunner: Applecare for laptops is well worth it. It isn't cheap, but there's a lot of tech in there and less and less of it is replaceable without ... replacing the logic board or more. In contrast, my 2015 4 GHz iMac continues to run like there's no end in sight and I even have a Powermac G5 that I just have to recycle or bury out back because it actually still works ... flawlessly, not that the electric bill is worth it. Apple makes good stuff (with the possible exception of the SD card slot on the new MBPs) but laptop problems happen and if you are as dependent on yours as I am mine, you really don't want to be without for more than a few days.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. Just had a cracked screen and bent stand replaced on an iMac Pro. Cost $99 as opposed to several hundred. I took it in for repair with less than a week before AppleCare+ expired.
Yes it is worth it for accidental protection alone. Consider that everything is soldered on the M1 chip so if your ssd goes bad or your ssd goes bad the entire SOC will need to be replaced I would guess and I am sure that is not cheap. On top of that the mini led display with 120hz is not cheap either and if you have any screen issues that will be expensive to repair/replace.
I know you will hear a lot of people tell you they never get it and have had 50 mac's with no problems ever and an iMac from 07 is still running. They may be right but it doesn't mean that you will have the same experience and this is a new gen machine.
I have a 16" and I certainly did not want to spend more on a darn warranty but considering what I already spent I know I would not have the money in the future to repair or replace expensive parts.
You just have to ask if you can handle the risk if something were to happen after the one year warranty period or accidental damage and can afford to repair or replace out of pocket.
Since you can buy on a yearly basis maybe that would be the way to go to soften the blow?
I know you will hear a lot of people tell you they never get it and have had 50 mac's with no problems ever and an iMac from 07 is still running. They may be right but it doesn't mean that you will have the same experience and this is a new gen machine.
I have a 16" and I certainly did not want to spend more on a darn warranty but considering what I already spent I know I would not have the money in the future to repair or replace expensive parts.
You just have to ask if you can handle the risk if something were to happen after the one year warranty period or accidental damage and can afford to repair or replace out of pocket.
Since you can buy on a yearly basis maybe that would be the way to go to soften the blow?
I say yes. All the components are integrated. If your SSD blows up on day 366, you're going to be paying to replace the entire logic board. We don't know what the long term durability of the display will be. Plus you get accidental damage coverage.
It's a $3,500+ laptop - the answer is yes.
The premium to buy yearly as opposed to all 3 years upfront is only $50 extra (or $16.67/year). Just do that.
Buy all 3 years upfront if you over-specced in the pursuit of trying to make your computer last forever.
The premium to buy yearly as opposed to all 3 years upfront is only $50 extra (or $16.67/year). Just do that.
Buy all 3 years upfront if you over-specced in the pursuit of trying to make your computer last forever.
Like all insurances, a certain value is for peace of mind. If you do have a problem or accident, then yes it would easily be worth it. If you don’t, then - in wonderful hindsight - probably not. It’s a gamble, only you can decide what you could afford to lose.
To me, for an expensive laptop where even “simple” failures could require quite expensive parts replacements then yes Applecare is worth it.
To me, for an expensive laptop where even “simple” failures could require quite expensive parts replacements then yes Applecare is worth it.
If they are that stupid, it's their own fault. No sympathy from me.
I have never needed AC for any of my Apple devices. I simply handle them with care. Which also means no drinks in close proximity and no transport without a sleeve/bag. Simple rules.
Also, the chances that your SSD gonna fail on day 366 is close to zero. The one in my 2015 MBP is still fine.
Since I buy (and sell) my devices on eBay or similar, I never pay prices as high as 3000+, more like 1500-2000€. In that case, AC would be about 25% of those costs, which is simply too high. That way, I can also avoid most lemons.
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The FIRST day I began setting up a new MBP 14.. my cat jumped up on the counter and knocked half a cup of coffee straight into the keyboard. Within a few minutes, the laptop became a boat anchor - 100% dead. Stayed that way for hours afterwards, despite my prayers and incantations
I had intended to purchase AC but had not yet done so.
I handed the machine over to Apple. Apple said "the most you'll pay is $1399, but it /could/ be less when we get in there and see what's up.
Apparently I underestimated the devastating effects of black coffee! They returned it 5 days later and I was billed the full $1399. According to their repair invoice, they replaced essentially the entire laptop, for all intents and purposes - logic board, display, touchpad, output modules (3 I/o, MagSafe, touch sensor, and audio module). Fan. Battery. They even replaced the CASE - bottom and top ?? (I confirmed this by inspecting the bottom and my serial # was no longer present).
So.. I recommend Apple Care- and don't put it off, if you're gonna buy it do it right up front.
I can't help but wonder how the repair would have proceeded if they were only getting $99 for the job under AC.
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Accidents happen and no one is stupid for it-that is why they are called accidents! Everybody handles their device differently and I am sure everyone is fairly careful with an expensive Mac unless they are kids! You never drink a cup of coffee while using your Mac??
Again your anecdotal experience does not extrapolate out to everyone and furthermore you as buying and selling used machines-right? Even on eBay the "sales" on new Apple products are not that great so to get nearly 50% discount you must be buying used or grey market.
It is great you have been able to avoid lemons. Can you guarantee that the OP will not experience any hardware failures once his warranty is up? You are suggesting he skip paying for it based on your personal experiences but what if his experience is different from your own. When giving advice to others I always consider my experience as you have but I also consider what if my experience is wrong or different?? Then would my advice help or hurt the person I am giving advice to? If you are wrong then the OP could be out a lot of money-if you are right you saved the OP $399. Chances are a repair is going to cost more than $399 so if you are wrong the OP is going to be screwed.
That is why even if you never needed it the best advice to help someone else is to tell them to get it. Worst case scenario they had peace of mind for 3 years and spent $399 they didn't need to but if they have any issue that needs major parts replacement then most likely you have saved them more money than they spent. If I gave your advice the worst case scenario is that the motherboard failed or ssd/ram or screen and that it cost nearly half the cost of the device new or more to repair. Best case they save $399. The worst case scenario with your advice is a lot worse than the advice to get the insurance. So if you really care about the OP then despite your experience of never needing Apple care you still would have suggested the OP get it to be safe.
But who knows-everything is a matter of probability! I could be completely wrong!!
I sometimes get it. Sometimes don’t.
I got it for the M1 Pro because it’s a first gen machine. We dont yet know what these machines will suffer from over time and I plan to keep it for a while.
I got it for the M1 Pro because it’s a first gen machine. We dont yet know what these machines will suffer from over time and I plan to keep it for a while.
This too. You never know what oddities might pop up like a bad batch of certain chip or capacitor making it into some production batches, or unforeseen mechanical/wear and tear issues.
Back in 2005 when Apple had the bright idea to put a liquid cooling system with a corrosive coolant into the PowerMac G5, there were lots of failures and leaks happening right around the 3 year mark in 2008. Lots of people without AppleCare ended up with free repairs, but those who had active or even expired AppleCare quite often ended up with a Nehalem MacPro configed to match the original cost of the G5 in question. Yeah it's probably lottery odds of anything like that ever happening to a particular model, but something to consider.
I too fall into the camp of AC yes for mobile and no for desktop. Although CalMin thoughts on a 1st gen machine makes sense too. I had a brain fade moment with my current MBP and AC saved me at least a 1000 USD.
A couple considerations:
- Agree that if you buy a spec'd up version like yours (vs base model), the AppleCare+ cost is the same, and so it ends up being a lower % of the more expensive versions. Helps justify getting it a bit more, all things equal
- If you live in the US, the ability to pay monthly (vs all 3 yrs at once) is nice. It's what I'm doing for my new 14" M1 Pro - it's $9.99/month, and you can cancel at any time. Given these are brand new, redesigned models, keeping the optionality of having AppleCare+ is nice, and can make a decision later on after more time has passed and we have a better sense for how stable / hardy / sturdy these new MBPs are.