broke down and purchased AppleCare Plus for my 16 because of ARM

[j_in_tx]

not sure about future resale market values. I only focus on relative values compared to other model years.

eBay proceeds are what they are, but the 2018 models today are definitely getting the shaft.

as for Apple silicon, there will be a drop off. not sure how much. The difference will be that iOS apps will automatically transform into a MacOS version. This is huge. Immediately, Apple silicon macs will be able to run things that an Intel mac can't. This power probably wont' be noticeable nor understood right away, but once the masses try it out, it will become viral.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

I would have used a CC that automatically and for FREE adds extra years to the manufacturers warranty.

AMEX automatically adds 1 extra year of exactly the same coverage as Apple and my Costco VISA adds 2 extra years (you do not have to buy at Costco...anything you charge to the card gets 2 extra years).

That's free coverage equal to the original. Good enough for me. And, it's transferable should you sell the device.

I rarely pay for extended warranties.

 

[j_in_tx]

I would have used a CC that automatically and for FREE adds extra years to the manufacturers warranty.

AMEX automatically adds 1 extra year of exactly the same coverage as Apple and my Costco VISA adds 2 extra years (you do not have to buy at Costco...anything you charge to the card gets 2 extra years).

That's free coverage equal to the original. Good enough for me. And, it's transferable should you sell the device.

I rarely pay for extended warranties.

Is this really true? Have you tried? Is this common knowledge that somehow I've missed out on?

 

[arche3]

Yeah good points all. I've never got apple care. I have just upgraded prior to covid to a 7.1 macpro for my production studio in NYC. I'm a commercial director. The 7,1 was 19k. And no apple care.

The laptop I stressed about for 2 weeks. I needed it to playback 6k and 8k redraw at 1/4 resolution in the box at home. And be able to store 3 TB of footage for a specific shoot. So the laptop was just for 1 job. So yeah I was worried about a 6k additional computer for 1 job. Eats into profits. I literally had dreams worried about it.

(I don't usually shoot red but rather ari pro res so I was in uncharted territory. My DP was wanting to shoot red so I tried it.... )

 

[0128672]

If I had the choice between Applecare+ and an extended warranty from my credit card, I'd still choose AC+ for the reason of how easy it is to get service, repair and support for the device. Although my cc offers an extension, I'd rather go with the sure thing.

 

[j_in_tx]

If I had the choice between Applecare+ and an extended warranty from my credit card, I'd still choose AC+ for the reason of how easy it is to get service, repair and support for the device. Although my cc offers an extension, I'd rather go with the sure thing.

Normally I would agree, but that was when AppleCare was relatively cheap. But it’s now $400+. Going with a CC if it really works warranty sounds really good especially that we are talking about a cost of zero for something that probably won’t get used on the better designed 16”.

I’d like to hear from someone who has actually redeemed the CC service for something like the very common swollen battery issue.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Is this really true? Have you tried? Is this common knowledge that somehow I've missed out on?

Yes it is true. I've used AMEX Extended warranty (they call it Purchase Protection, I think) many times. They pay either for the cost of repair plus costs associated with shipping and any costs to diagnose a computer, or they will simply credit your account with the original purchase price (which they have done a few times for me).

The Costco 2 year deal I have not tried, but I do tend to trust Costco so I have no reason to believe they are trying to shaft me.

FWIW, you can Google both just to see the card benefits and read the T&C yourself. But yes, it is true.

 

[arche3]

Yes it is true. I've used AMEX Extended warranty (they call it Purchase Protection, I think) many times. They pay either for the cost of repair plus costs associated with shipping and any costs to diagnose a computer, or they will simply credit your account with the original purchase price (which they have done a few times for me).

The Costco 2 year deal I have not tried, but I do tend to trust Costco so I have no reason to believe they are trying to shaft me.

FWIW, you can Google both just to see the card benefits and read the T&C yourself. But yes, it is true.

Wow. I have to use Amex for everything now. That's a great incentive.

 

[||\||]

Is this really true? Have you tried? Is this common knowledge that somehow I've missed out on?

I got an iPhone SE (classic) replaced earlier this year using the extended warranty from my Chase credit card. The headphone jack stopped working. Apple doesn't fix that component, so I got a free replacement. The original SE still works fine with the $8 Apple lightning-to-3.5mm adapter, so I still use it as an MP3 player and via bluetooth ear buds. Two phones for the price of one. Yup, extended warranties work.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Well that's the point. If I break it I can get it fixed. So I can sell it in 2 years. It was also 6k. So not really disposable.

Also it seems MacBooks with Apple care sell for more. Which is also my reason.

I think the right term is the MacBook pro is a capital investment in equipment. So doesn't hurt to get highest resale value. You get the tax break on schedules 179 and also later you get some of the money back when you upgrade.

1. Just because it cost $6K doesn't mean it isn't disposable. In 10 years, you will not be using that Mac, therefore it is disposable.

2. AppleCare+ isn't going to add more to your Mac's resale value than it will cost up-front. That's not to say you shouldn't get it. Anyone buying ANY Apple product (ESPECIALLY anything portable) should buy AppleCare+; but acting like it's going to do anything for your resale value beyond what money you put into it (at the absolute most) is silliness.

3. You get two covered accidental damage incidents. Once you use those up, they're gone. And that's not per user, that's per system. You still don't want to have to use those if you can avoid it.

 

[0128672]

I would have used a CC that automatically and for FREE adds extra years to the manufacturers warranty.

AMEX automatically adds 1 extra year of exactly the same coverage as Apple and my Costco VISA adds 2 extra years (you do not have to buy at Costco...anything you charge to the card gets 2 extra years).

That's free coverage equal to the original. Good enough for me. And, it's transferable should you sell the device.

I rarely pay for extended warranties.

I wouldn't say that Amex's Purchase Protection Coverage is exactly the same as Applecare+. Using the Platinum Card's policy as an example, product defects and "downloadable services, application programs, computer programs, operating software, firmware and other software of any kind" aren't covered; whereas under Applecare+ defects are covered in addition to all Apple software including operating systems.

It's worth getting into the nitty-gritty of the policies and terms and conditions before assuming what Applecare+ or any extended warranty or protection plan covers.

https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/pdf/NAC_PLS_and_30_Updates/PP_Benefit-Guide_Tier-3-Rev-03-18.pdf

 

[arche3]

1. Just because it cost $6K doesn't mean it isn't disposable. In 10 years, you will not be using that Mac, therefore it is disposable.

2. AppleCare+ isn't going to add more to your Mac's resale value than it will cost up-front. That's not to say you shouldn't get it. Anyone buying ANY Apple product (ESPECIALLY anything portable) should buy AppleCare+; but acting like it's going to do anything for your resale value beyond what money you put into it (at the absolute most) is silliness.

3. You get two covered accidental damage incidents. Once you use those up, they're gone. And that's not per user, that's per system. You still don't want to have to use those if you can avoid it.

I see ebay prices. the mac laptops with apple care and clean new screens sell for a lot more. I sold my old 15 2016 for 1k. it had a scratch on the screen. delaminated too. and a gouge on the case. the same macbook pro with a new replaced screen went for 1500. multiple times. I don't know what to tell you. to fix a screen is 600 bucks. with apple care its 500. I can break it twice. second replacment is 100 bucks.

I never said it will make it MORE valuable. but they do sell for more. close to or equal to the price of apple care plus. it is another check mark for the laptop for attention.

also any equipment used for work is not disposable. it is a line item to get the job done. with a cost and benefit ratio. I have 2 macPro 5.1's I still use for renders over night that is 9 years old. with radeon VII's in them. it is still making me money. this laptop I know I will sell in 2 years. But it is still not a disposable item.