Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

AppleCare

jparker402

jparker402

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 7, 2016
560
54
Bellevue, NE
Confused about help from Apple and AppleCare. I am looking to get a Mac after years of frustration with Microsoft and pc support.

I understand that AppleCare provides an extended warranty for repairs and parts two additional years beyond Apple's one year manufacturer warranty. (Don't know about extending that based on buying with Visa).

What I don't understand is the relationship (if any) between AppleCare and free help (if any) by calling up Apple or the Apple Store. I know that the AppleCare add speaks to providing 24/7 phone help for three years, but talking with Apple people am led to understand I can get that help without AppleCare. Also do not understand the connection (again, if any) between AppleCare and the Genius Bar. Likewise I do not understand the connection between AppleCare and Apple Store classes on how to use Apple products. Talking with Apple reps doesn't give me a strong sense of surety about what is going on.

Any amplification would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to get a Mac based on wanting the best customer care than cutting myself off by not getting AppleCare. On the other hand, I am not interested in paying $249 when the majority of the help could have been free. Would rather use the $249 for an Apple mouse and external hard drive.
 
jparker402 said:
On the other hand, I am not interested in paying $249 when the majority of the help could have been free. Would rather use the $249 for an Apple mouse and external hard drive.
Click to expand...

Considering that a logic board replacement for a 15" retina MacBook Pro may run as high as $700 to $800, it seems to me that the $249 for an extended warranty would be worth it. Don't think about Apple care only for the help part; you can get all the free help you'll ever need right here in Macrumors. It's the high cost of parts plus labor that you should be concerned with once your first year of free warranty is over.
 
jparker402 said:
Confused about help from Apple and AppleCare. I am looking to get a Mac after years of frustration with Microsoft and pc support.

I understand that AppleCare provides an extended warranty for repairs and parts two additional years beyond Apple's one year manufacturer warranty. (Don't know about extending that based on buying with Visa).

What I don't understand is the relationship (if any) between AppleCare and free help (if any) by calling up Apple or the Apple Store. I know that the AppleCare add speaks to providing 24/7 phone help for three years, but talking with Apple people am led to understand I can get that help without AppleCare. Also do not understand the connection (again, if any) between AppleCare and the Genius Bar. Likewise I do not understand the connection between AppleCare and Apple Store classes on how to use Apple products. Talking with Apple reps doesn't give me a strong sense of surety about what is going on.

Any amplification would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to get a Mac based on wanting the best customer care than cutting myself off by not getting AppleCare. On the other hand, I am not interested in paying $249 when the majority of the help could have been free. Would rather use the $249 for an Apple mouse and external hard drive.
Click to expand...
All Apple computers, desktops and laptops, come with a one year hardware warranty, and 90 days of telephone technical support. Most hardware issues can be solved on the spot in the store via equipment exchange or if needed, really fast turn-around repairs. (in most cases, in my experience)

To get technical support or trouble-shooting help over the phone via AppleCare, in the US anyway, you do need valid AppleCare coverage once you're out of the included 90-day support window. In fact one of the first things they ask for is your device's serial#, so they can ascertain your coverage.

Yes, of course you can always make an appointment at a genius bar if you're reasonably near one, to get free technical help and support, but that's of course less convenient than tel tech support. Also with tel tech support, the person helping you can, with your permission, mirror your screen from his location, and insert arrows on your monitor to guide you thru the steps to help solve your issues. Much more convenient than schlepping all your equipment to the Apple Store, and waiting for your appointment time.

But as noted above by CHSCAG, the real reason you'll shell out the APP (AppleCare Protection Plan) fee is the extended hardware coverage. For desktops and especially for laptops, for peace of mind well worth the cash. Note also that any other items or peripherals you purchase at the same time such as monitors, TimeCapsules, AppleTV, TrackPads or whatever else, will be covered for free thru AppleCare for the same three years as your covered computer. Additionally, if you're a student, or a parent buying for a student, the APP fee is significantly less.

Unless you're on a super-tight budget, it's a no-brainer.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: merkinmuffley
jparker402 said:
On the other hand, I am not interested in paying $249 when the majority of the help could have been free. Would rather use the $249 for an Apple mouse and external hard drive.
Click to expand...

If you don't really need the phone support, I have never seen the value in Applecare. I have owned literally dozens of Apple products over the last 13 years or so and never once had an occasion where I would have used Applecare for a repair. With all the money I have saved, if my current rMBP broke, I could toss it in the trash and buy a new one and still be ahead.

If people are uncomfortable with the risk of "self insuring"... I get that. But over time, Apple is making a profit off Applecare or they would not offer it.

I always use my VISA card like you mentioned and that gets you an extra year of warranty coverage. Just be aware that the VISA extended warranty does not cover refurbs.
 
I like square trade. Not only do they cover accidental damage, but you get mail in repairs for every Mac. AppleCare only covers mail in on laptops. You can get square trade with no deductible on an ipad, but you can't get a no deductible AppleCare plan.

iPhones with a broken screen may costs less to replace at the Apple Store without AppleCare.. . If your phone needs a total swap out, then thats when you need AppleCare.

Square trade has been trending towards reimbursing the entire amount on iPhone screens with no deductible. I paid 149 + tax to replace my 6s+ and square trade reimbursed 149 + tax.

The square trade rep recently told me that Paypal is no longer an option. So if you turn in a claim, they might send you a check or send you an amazon gift card




I prefer phone support to the Genius Bar.

The Genius Bar is like urgent care. They are on a fixed schedule. They will not research your problem and come back with an answer. And the answers they give out , might not be the correct ones.

Apple care phone support will put you on hold or talk to you as long as possible until your problem has some kind of solution. If you cannot get a solution, they will put you in contact with a certified apple expert, with his own private email and voice mail.

Its possible to get free AppleCare phone support by an exemption. I am often successful with "I just recently updated to iOS".

When the expert is wrong, then I'm dumbfounded. I had an expert apple advisor tell me that calls on other devices wouldnt work unless the iPhone was on the same network, when I called asking about iOS 9
[doublepost=1466897746][/doublepost]iPhone 6s plus screen replacement example
iPhone apple care $129
2 broken screens $198
--
$327

No apple care
2 broken screens $149 each
--
$298

You are saving $29 by not having AppleCare.
 
Last edited:
Many viewpoints...typically don't get insurance.

However, because I had AppleCare Apple replaced my slightly cracked screen for free. Was obviously still a personal exemption given. But just my experience.
 
Spink10 said:
Many viewpoints...typically don't get insurance.

However, because I had AppleCare Apple replaced my slightly cracked screen for free. Was obviously still a personal exemption given. But just my experience.
Click to expand...

I had no AppleCare on an iPad 2. I had a broken screen, and they did not charge me for the screen at all. The ipad was only 4 months old.

Apple has no discounted screen only replacement price on ipad screens. All iPads with broken screens are replaced.
Thats the device you need some kind of insurance on


I've heard apple might treat the screen as a 'non impact' weakness and give you a free screen
 
Applecare is a global warranty, so if you get it for mac and head overseas you are covered at apple and apple authorised third party repair shops, this is particularly useful if you are on holiday say in NZ or Australia.
 
Last January The Applecare on my Refurbished MM(Late 2014) covered a burned-out almost two(2) year old Apple Superdrive here in Costa Rica. I burned over 500 DVD copies from my extensive DVD movie Collection with this unit before it "went South".

I received a brand new unit at no cost from a Costa Rican Apple Authorized Dealer!

So, I paid around $105(includes sales tax) for the Applecare in June,2015 which covered the replacement cost of a new Apple Superdrive which costs around $130 here in Costa Rica.

In addition, the Applecare not only covers my MM(Late 2014) but also my Apple Time Capsule that I purchased last year until June, 2018.

Also, I purchased AppleCare for my Refurbished MM(Late 2012) back in August, 2013 but I have not had one "problema" with this great "little machine".

In addition, I have Applecare coverage on my iPad Mini2 and a Apple TV.

Applecare gives me the peace-of-mind as the cost(s) of Apple Device Repairs here in Costa Rica are much higher than in the good old USA.
 
Last edited:
jparker402 said:
Confused about help from Apple and AppleCare. I am looking to get a Mac after years of frustration with Microsoft and pc support.

I understand that AppleCare provides an extended warranty for repairs and parts two additional years beyond Apple's one year manufacturer warranty. (Don't know about extending that based on buying with Visa).

What I don't understand is the relationship (if any) between AppleCare and free help (if any) by calling up Apple or the Apple Store. I know that the AppleCare add speaks to providing 24/7 phone help for three years, but talking with Apple people am led to understand I can get that help without AppleCare. Also do not understand the connection (again, if any) between AppleCare and the Genius Bar. Likewise I do not understand the connection between AppleCare and Apple Store classes on how to use Apple products. Talking with Apple reps doesn't give me a strong sense of surety about what is going on.

Any amplification would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to get a Mac based on wanting the best customer care than cutting myself off by not getting AppleCare. On the other hand, I am not interested in paying $249 when the majority of the help could have been free. Would rather use the $249 for an Apple mouse and external hard drive.
Click to expand...

1) you can get Applecare cheaper than list price. I usually get it from LA Computers. The 249$ Applecare can be bought for as low as 179$
2) I would not buy a Macbook without Applecare, My 2013 MAcbook Retina just had a case of a battery swell, expanded both the bottom cover, and pushed up the track area. Computer is 2 1/2 years old. Applecare replaced the complete top cover, which includes the battery. Without the warranty, I fear this would be 500$+ repair.

On the other hand, I might not even get an Apple computer these days .....after 7 years of Mac computing, the lack of an 2-in-1 solution ( like the HP Elite X2 or Acer Alpha Switch 12 ) makes me to consider going back to Windows.
 
paulCC said:
1) you can get Applecare cheaper than list price. I usually get it from LA Computers. The 249$ Applecare can be bought for as low as 179$
Click to expand...

Does it make any difference that LA Computers does not appear to be an Apple certified reseller?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
maflynn said:
No, as long as you're getting a sealed AC. You can also find them on amazon as well.
Click to expand...
I guess I am too new to understand. How does Apple (or whoever) know if it is sealed when you call it in? Or do you call it in or physically take it somewhere? And I found some on ebay (with and without the cellophane).
 
jparker402 said:
How does Apple (or whoever) know if it is sealed when you call it in?
Click to expand...
They don't, but there is a black market where AC is counterfeit (most seen on eBay), so getting a sealed product gives you peace of mind.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back