Buy Extended AppleCare?

[d0vr]

My AppleCare warranty is running out in the middle of this month, and I'm wondering what the general consensus is about renewing it for the three years?

I have an early 2011 model Macbook Pro and I have a little bit of money available, but it would probably be better used on other purchases.

 

[blueroom]

Considering the cost of a MacBook repair I'd say AppleCare is worth it.

 

[Spink10]

My AppleCare warranty is running out in the middle of this month, and I'm wondering what the general consensus is about renewing it for the three years?

I have an early 2011 model Macbook Pro and I have a little bit of money available, but it would probably be better used on other purchases.

It will only extend the hardware warranty 2 years - AppleCare gives you phone support and repairs for 3 years from the purchase date of the unit.

 

[d0vr]

It will only extend the hardware warranty 2 years - AppleCare gives you phone support and repairs for 3 years from the purchase date of the unit.

Forgive my ignorance, what's the difference between repairs and hardware warranty?

 

[colshine]

I was in the same boat and decided to renew as I normally upgrade my laptop every three years and the warranty is fairly comprehensive.

 

[falterego]

To me it's worth the piece of mind. I'd check eBay to save a few bucks on the Apple Care. I've purchased it from eBay for my iPad 2, 2010 MBP and original 2006 MB, all have been a way better price than the Apple store. Just make extra sure that the one you buy is for your specific model computer. Most sellers won't take a return on the Apple Care.

 

[HeadGear]

I wait the full year before buying AppleCare. I can say it is definitely worth it and I too have an early 2011 MacBook Pro that I am buying AppleCare for sometime soon before April.

 

[djpuma]

I was in the same boat and decided to renew as I have skipped applecare the last 2 macbooks pro's I've owned and could have used it on one of them.

I figure it's piece of mind for the next 2 years.

I also was worried with this laptop as it tends to run hot, but I think it's just the way the 2.3 i7's are.

Either way buy from bhphotovideo for the best price.

 

[whitedragon101]

Definitely worth it. Repairs to a Macbook Pro are expensive I know many people (inc me) who have been saved by applecare. The full price is a bit too high but try one of the reputable ebay sellers and you can get it at about 1/2 the full price.

 

[takeshi74]

My AppleCare warranty is running out in the middle of this month, and I'm wondering what the general consensus is about renewing it for the three years?

It's a subjective matter -- just like any question regarding the purchase of any extended warranty for any product out there (not just MBP's or Apple products). Make your decision based on your needs/wants -- not on polling others.

Forgive my ignorance, what's the difference between repairs and hardware warranty?

A repair is a repair. It can be in or out of warranty. Not sure what the person you're quoting was trying to say as it's 6 one way and a half dozen the other.

 

[Spink10]

Forgive my ignorance, what's the difference between repairs and hardware warranty?

Sorry for using two different terms - by "repairs" and "hardware" I mean the same thing. Also B&H Video have the best price on AppleCare - an eBay seller may have a better price but dont trust them. Whereas B&H Video have 100+ reviews on the AppleCare Warranty - $190 for 13inch and $250 for 15 or 17inch MBP - thats $60 or $100 dollars off - no tax - no shipping fee.

 

[d0vr]

Sorry for using two different terms - by "repairs" and "hardware" I mean the same thing. Also B&H Video have the best price on AppleCare - an eBay seller may have a better price but dont trust them. Whereas B&H Video have 100+ reviews on the AppleCare Warranty - $190 for 13inch and $250 for 15 or 17inch MBP - thats $60 or $100 dollars off - no tax - no shipping fee.

That's great to know you can get it cheaper, but I checked their site and you can't buy it from Australia. If anyone knows the best place to buy AppleCare in Australia, please let me know!

 

[Mojo1]

Be Careful With eBay AppleCare Deals...

There are a LOT of AppleCare scams on eBay.

The best prices are from sellers who e-mail the serial number. These sellers resell the same registration number to multiple buyers. Apple's online AppleCare registration system will accept multiple registrations of the same serial number. The buyer won't discover that he has been scammed until he tries to use the warranty. Apple's policy is that only the first registration is valid; subsequent registrations will not be honored by Apple.

By the time this happens it is usually too late to use eBay or PayPal to obtain a refund. The seller is often long-gone too...

There have also been reports of counterfeit AppleCare boxes on eBay. The boxes are very convincing except for one thing: they don't have serial numbers. D'Oh!

The best online prices for AppleCare can usually be found at the L.A. Computer Company and B&H Photo. Both are authorized Apple resellers. B&H regularly offers AppleCare at half price when purchased with a Mac. The L.A. Computer Co. usually charges the Apple education discount price or slightly less.