AppleCare Worth It?

[Phil A.]

Would never buy a Mac with dedicated GPU without Apple Care, especially 15" MBPs are prone to failures associated with the GPU.

The iGPU models on the other hand worked flawlessly for me and many others and as I'm inside of the EU Apple Care would only add 1 year of warranty on top of the mandatory 2 years...

The only issue with the 2 year EU warranty is the burden of proof is on you after 6 months to prove it was defective from the start which means you probably need to get an independent report, adding hassle and delays. You also have to deal with the seller (which may not be Apple)

I guess it depends how much you value your time - personally, I'd rather pay the money for AppleCare knowing that if anything happens for 3 years it'll get sorted out without any hassle. AppleCare for desktop machines also provides onsite coverage which is a valuable benefit

 

[AppleFan360]

Yes! I always buy AppleCare on my Macbooks. If you use the military/government discount, you can get AppleCare for $183.

 

[msh]

Both from a probabilistic point of view and my own experience it is not worth it. The chances of your device failing during the AppleCare period are likely low and the times my devices have failed (an '09 MacPro logic board and an '08 MacBook Pro gpu issue) were both outside the expiration of the Apple Care warranty.

I think people buy Applecare because of loss aversion. It is well known (see Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman) that the pain of loss is greater than the pleasure of a gain so people will pay to avoid any risk of loss even in the face of reasonable risk (and the potential gain that goes with taking reasonable risks).

I have adopted a personal risk policy of never buying extended warranties. I put any premiums I would have paid for extended warranties in a dedicated interest bearing account. I, therefore, lessen the anxiety of loss aversion and, in fact, profit from taking on reasonable risk. So, since 2008, if I tote up all the Apple Care premiums I would have put in that savings account and subtract the repairs I actually paid for I would be ahead about $1,000. And that money in the savings account has no expiration date unlike the Apple Care warranty.

 

[H1Supreme]

I didn't get it on my 09' macbook, and didn't have any problems. As far as being worth it, probably. But, only because these computers are so locked down and unservicable, that you're at their Apple's mercy for repairs. Unless you have a very good tech.

I think it should be more than 3 years though. Maybe if it was 3 years after the expiration of the original warranty. Which, is pretty short at only one year. I could be wrong, but I think my original warrany was 2 years. Idk. But, $250 for 2 more years of warranty seems like a ripoff. Just like the inflated unit price, lack of extension cord, and of course the endless dongles that you'll probably spend another $250 on.
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The chances of your device failing during the AppleCare period are likely low and the times my devices have failed (an '09 MacPro logic board and an '08 MacBook Pro gpu issue) were both outside the expiration of the Apple Care warranty.

Excellent point. Your machine is more likely to fail outside of that Apple Care period.

 

[msh]

As far as being worth it, probably. But, only because these computers are so locked down and unservicable, that you're at their Apple's mercy for repairs.

Now, you have touched on another reason why Apple makes their machines more unrepairable (a la glued and soldered components): it stimulates additional sales of Apple Care.

 

[AppleFan360]

Both from a probabilistic point of view and my own experience it is not worth it. The chances of your device failing during the AppleCare period are likely low and the times my devices have failed (an '09 MacPro logic board and an '08 MacBook Pro gpu issue) were both outside the expiration of the Apple Care warranty.

I think people buy Applecare because of loss aversion. It is well known (see Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman) that the pain of loss is greater than the pleasure of a gain so people will pay to avoid any risk of loss even in the face of reasonable risk (and the potential gain that goes with taking reasonable risks).

I have adopted a personal risk policy of never buying extended warranties. I put any premiums I would have paid for extended warranties in a dedicated interest bearing account. I, therefore, lessen the anxiety of loss aversion and, in fact, profit from taking on reasonable risk. So, since 2008, if I tote up all the Apple Care premiums I would have put in that savings account and subtract the repairs I actually paid for I would be ahead about $1,000. And that money in the savings account has no expiration date unlike the Apple Care warranty.

That's definitely a good way to go. The only flaw is the resale market. I find it much easier to sell my older Macs if they still have AppleCare... but, if you don't do that sort of thing, your process is awesome.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, Applecare is well worth it, and I always buy it on my Apple computers.

In my experience, it has more than paid for itself.

To date, I have used it on my original MBP - the HDD and battery failed in the third year - they were both replaced under Applecare.

I have had a keyboard replaced in a 2010 MBA, and MagSafe repaired in two MBAs.

Actually, Applecare - not technological advances - is what determines my buying cycle. Thus, I think of buying a new computer when Applecare is close to running out on my current computer.

Moreover, it is easier to sell on a computer with some months of Applecare left to run; it is not that it will increase the value of the machine enormously, but it will serve to give a would be purchase some degree of peace of mind.

 

[akdj]

You save almost 20% through Amazon or BH - I paid $298 for my 2015 just a month ago. I owned the '08 with the 860GT issues. A HDD went south, twice. Both replaced without issue, even got a new MagSafe cord - my 2011 17" also had GPU issues, seems like it was AMD - 6770? Something like that, also my logic board died two years six months in. $960 repair, free w/AC. My 2012 rMBP, LG display replaced w/Samsung (ghosting issues) 15 months in, new LogicBoard/650m GPU issue, $1000+/- for each. Display & LB. I've been lucky with my iMacs and don't bother w/AC for them. I did, however with my 2008 Mac Pro and never used it.
Ymmv as always but these days there's nothing less than $298 American dollars on the new MacBook Pro, so if she breaks, you may go broke fixing it
Better have and not need than need and not have
10% cost of ownership and not due for 364 days post purchase
(Buy at BH Photo and their system automatically registers your Mac then and there and drops a hard copy for your records in snail mail. So extra peace of mind and follow up emails from both BH & Apple verifying coverage
No brainer
Save $25/month after buying and buy AC when your piggy bank is full

 

[danniexi]

MacBooks have, unfortunately, not been easily repairable (if at all) for the passed couple of years. Just for that peace of mind, I would definitely go with AppleCare.

 

[iizmoo]

Ok...I need to verify that I understand this:

I plan to buy an MBA with my gold AMEX.

If I don't buy AppleCare, AMEX will cover all problems (not of my own making) for 2 years AFTER Apple's 1 year warranty that comes with the MBA? I'll therefore have a total of 3 years coverage?

If I DO buy AppleCare, Amex will cover all problems (again not of my own making) for 2 years AFTER AppleCare expires for a total of 5 years coverage?

Each card issuer and card type have different policies and conditions, some issuers also require warranty registration of the purchase even if it is a benefit. You need to contact your card issuer and read their specific policy as applied to the card you have.

No warranty policies, Apple Care, insurance, nor credit card will ever cover all problems, of your own making or not. They all always have exclusions in the coverage.

 

[Weaselboy]

Ok...I need to verify that I understand this:

I plan to buy an MBA with my gold AMEX.

If I don't buy AppleCare, AMEX will cover all problems (not of my own making) for 2 years AFTER Apple's 1 year warranty that comes with the MBA? I'll therefore have a total of 3 years coverage?

If I DO buy AppleCare, Amex will cover all problems (again not of my own making) for 2 years AFTER AppleCare expires for a total of 5 years coverage?

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/benefits/detail/extended-warranty/premier-gold

From this link:

Extended Warranty is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can provide up to one extra year added to an original U.S. manufacturer's warranty of five years or less when you use your Card on new eligible purchases. Please read important exclusions and restrictions.

I think brojan may be misreading the terms here. The AMEX warranty gives you one year on top of the manufacturer's warranty, which for Apple in the US is one year. So if you use AMEX you end up with a two year warranty.

The way this reads to me, it does not appear the AMEX card stacks on top of an "extended warranty" like AppleCare. Maybe call AMEX and ask just to be sure.

 

[BondFancy]

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/benefits/detail/extended-warranty/premier-gold

From this link:



I think brojan may be misreading the terms here. The AMEX warranty gives you one year on top of the manufacturer's warranty, which for Apple in the US is one year. So if you use AMEX you end up with a two year warranty.

The way this reads to me, it does not appear the AMEX card stacks on top of an "extended warranty" like AppleCare. Maybe call AMEX and ask just to be sure.

If you read the fine print in the benefits manual it also covers a year after service plans. AppleCare is a service plan, I called AMEX and talked to them. I have the Blue cash everyday card.

 

[Weaselboy]

If you read the fine print in the benefits manual it also covers a year after service plans. AppleCare is a service plan, I called AMEX and talked to them. I have the Blue cash everyday card.

Ahh.... good. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[iizmoo]

Ahh.... good. Thanks for the clarification.

It also depend on different cards, AMEX might not necessarily be the best one. My Citi card give 2 years after manufacturer or other extended warranties. If people are taking advantage of those card warranties, really need to look at the fine print for each card.

 

[Weaselboy]

It also depend on different cards, AMEX might not necessarily be the best one. My Citi card give 2 years after manufacturer or other extended warranties. If people are taking advantage of those card warranties, really need to look at the fine print for each card.

Agreed. I always use my VISA card for the extra year and never buy AppleCare.

 

[Howard2k]

I don't think it's worth it. I've been using Macs for maybe 11 years or so and haven't had any significant issues. If I took all those AppleCare savings that's probably half a new laptop.

Watch my MBPro **** the bed when I get home out of spite.

 

[Mrs HBF]

Very good information here! I called AMEX and verified that if I bought AppleCare the day I buy the MBA, AMEX's extended warranty coverage on my specific gold card (traditional) would begin the day AppleCare policy expires. He said that AMEX automatically adds its own extended warranty coverage to product extended warranties as long as the extended warranties are under 5 years' duration.

He also said that AppleCare begins the day I buy it; not after Apple's One Year Limited Warranty expires because AppleCare is more robust. Is that the case as he of course doesn't work for Apple.

-------------------

Another question I have is if I choose to buy a MBA this Friday but postpone buying AppleCare until May 1, for example, would the 3 year AppleCare policy BEGIN on that date of purchase of May 1, 2017 and thereby expire April 30, 2017? I posed this specific example to the AMEX agent to find out if AMEX's 1 year extended warranty would begin May 1, 2020 the day after AppleCare expired and he did not know the answer.

 

[ZhenyaF]

Very good information here! I called AMEX and verified that if I bought AppleCare the day I buy the MBA, AMEX's extended warranty coverage on my specific gold card (traditional) would begin the day AppleCare policy expires. He said that AMEX automatically adds its own extended warranty coverage to product extended warranties as long as the extended warranties are under 5 years' duration.

He also said that AppleCare begins the day I buy it; not after Apple's One Year Limited Warranty expires because AppleCare is more robust. Is that the case as he of course doesn't work for Apple.

-------------------

Another question I have is if I choose to buy a MBA this Friday but postpone buying AppleCare until May 1, for example, would the 3 year AppleCare policy BEGIN on that date of purchase of May 1, 2017 and thereby expire April 30, 2017? I posed this specific example to the AMEX agent to find out if AMEX's 1 year extended warranty would begin May 1, 2020 the day after AppleCare expired and he did not know the answer.

Applecare will be applied retroactively to the date of purchase of the computer - so it will be active as of November 25, 2016, even if you buy it in November 2017.

 

[Mrs HBF]

Applecare will be applied retroactively to the date of purchase of the computer - so it will be active as of November 25, 2016, even if you buy it in November 2017.

Retroactively? So does that mean if something goes wrong a few months after I buy the MBA (nothing that I did), I can buy AppleCare immediately and then schedule an appointment with the Genius Bar after that?

 

[ZhenyaF]

Retroactively? So does that mean if something goes wrong a few months after I buy the MBA (nothing that I did), I can buy AppleCare immediately and then schedule an appointment with the Genius Bar after that?

Not exactly. You get 1 year of Applecare included with the Macbook and theoption of purchasing the extended 3 year warranty, anytime within that first year. If your MBA breaks in January, you will get it fixed under the first year warranty, no need to pay for Applecare

 

[manhattanboy]

I have a 2010 MBP that I didnt get it on 6 years ago and I was fine. A buddy of mine has a 2014 15" MBP and his Apple Care has been used twice now. I bought it on my new MBP because this touch bar is so new. If something happens to it, I want Apple to fix it.

The one thing that scares me on the new machines is that the touch ID button is clickable (e.g. depresses down).
I am a little concerned that it will wear out over time.
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If I get a mac from a retailer that doesn't include the option for AppleCare (because it's not Apple), is there still some way to get it? I'm in a country with no Apple store.

Yes. you can buy it separately if it is a recent purchase and then call to activate it on your product.

 

[ZhenyaF]

I think Applecare on the new computers is a no brainer. Combined together with the credit card warranty, you could be covered for 4 years. One claim with Applecare will make it worth it - plus they cover the battery.

 

[Mrs HBF]

Not exactly. You get 1 year of Applecare included with the Macbook and the option of purchasing the extended 3 year warranty, anytime within that first year. If your MBA breaks in January, you will get it fixed under the first year warranty, no need to pay for Applecare

Now I'm really confused. I thought Apple's 1 year limited warranty is different from the AppleCare insurance product. So, in fact, the 1 year limited warranty is in the fact the same as AppleCare?

Also, if I do get 1 year of AppleCare included with my MBA purchase on 11/25/2016, does that mean that the extended 3 year AppleCare product would BEGIN 11/25/2017 and expire 11/24/2020?

 

[ZhenyaF]

Now I'm really confused. I thought Apple's 1 year limited warranty is different from the AppleCare insurance product. So, in fact, the 1 year limited warranty is in the fact the same as AppleCare?

Also, if I do get 1 year of AppleCare included with my MBA purchase on 11/25/2016, does that mean that the extended 3 year AppleCare product would BEGIN 11/25/2017 and expire 11/24/2020?

The Applecare for computers is a direct reflection of the standard 1 year warranty and covers exactly the same things (unlike Applecare+ for iPhones, which covers damage as well). The only thing that it adds is phone coverage past the original 90 days.

Applecare begins at the time you purchase the laptop. So the warranty would be for 3 years from 11/25/16 (until 11/25/19).

http://www.apple.com/support/products/mac.html

 

[kwandrews]

For Macs, absolutely. You NEED that without a doubt. Don't even second guess it just bite the bullet.

Agree. Do NOT get it from Apple though (unless you have a good corp/education discount). Get it from Amazon or B&H Photo, etc. at a big discount! I put a calendar reminder to buy it at 6 months post purchase to help spread out some of the cost. You can do it up until the day before your 1 year warranty expires.

Have I used it? Yes. 2012 MBA: failed SSD at 2 years. 2012 (bought 2013) Thunderbolt 27" display: power cord issue, they also replaced the entire LCD screen for me summer of 2016, 2008 24" iMac: had GPU issue at 2.75 years into it, replaced entire logic board and the LCD. That meant new CPU, GPU, etc....great!

AC is tied to your product SN and is fully transferable if you sell it --> increased resale value and protection for the buyer. I don't do this, but some people sell at about 2.5 years old with 6 months of warranty left. No need to really transfer it, it just stays tagged to the computer.