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Buying a MBA without warranty? Am I crazy?

aaquib

aaquib

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 11, 2007
1,496
1
Toronto, Canada
I've found a Rev.B 1.86/128SSD on CL for $1000 and I'd say it's a good deal, but the only problem is that it has no AppleCare remaining. However, I figure with no optical drive and no moving parts on the SSD, there shouldn't be a problem. However, just the thought of owning anything without warranty is annoying me. What do you guys think?
 
I'd say you can find it cheaper... But that's just in Napville where everyone buys something and then needs to sell it for rent/drug money.

But seriously, on CL you should be able to find it a bit cheaper without warranty.
 
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That's a little on the pricey side I've seen them as low as $650 in decent shape I wouldn't worry too much about not having a warrenty most accidental damage isn't covered anyway!
 
Airforcekid said:
That's a little on the pricey side I've seen them as low as $650 in decent shape I wouldn't worry too much about not having a warrenty most accidental damage isn't covered anyway!
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$650 is very low. I had a Rev A that I sold for $680 recently but it had a replaced screen and beatup bezel although altogether it worked fine. I could've sold it for more than that, just needed to do it quick.

In general I noticed that MBAs on Cl are fairly rare and far between. Vast majority sold are Rev As with some early Rev Bs/Cs thrown in. Latter are quite expensive and I haven't seen any for less than $900-1000 even in such Apple-heavy place as Boston.
 
If you plan to toss the MBA as soon as a component that costs more than you paid for it breaks, then no you're not crazy.

If, when said component breaks, you plan to replace it yourself, yes you're crazy.

Chances are very high that something will break on a MBA - it's not really known for being a rugged machine and I don't think it uses very low end (inexpensive) internal components.

My experience is I've always used the warranty on my computers and in general, one or two repairs/parts costs more than the warranty itself (such as a screen). I've replaced my laptop's screen, keyboard, motherboard, harddrive and replaced my desktop's power supply and will be replacing the screen soon.
 
No you're not crazy. IMO AppleCare is a rip off because Apple is going to do everything in their power not to honor the warranty. In the 3 years I've owned my iMac I used AppleCare once and I could have paid out of pocket to have it repaired for less than what I had to pay for AppleCare.
 
BrianKonarsMac said:
Chances are very high that something will break on a MBA - it's not really known for being a rugged machine and I don't think it uses very low end (inexpensive) internal components.

My experience is I've always used the warranty on my computers and in general, one or two repairs/parts costs more than the warranty itself (such as a screen). I've replaced my laptop's screen, keyboard, motherboard, harddrive and replaced my desktop's power supply and will be replacing the screen soon.
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None of the items you mentioned are uberexpensive for MBA. A new bare LCD on eBay costs around $110-120 shipped, hardly nosebleed-inducing. It does require time to replace properly but even if you screw up the bezel it's possible to have it look decent and still function properly.

I've bought all my Apples used except one. It all depends on how much time you are willing to invest if need be. On the other hand if you do research before and treat it well, they do seem to be fairly reliable.
 
I would encourage you to buy a Rev. B (2,1) MacBook Air with enough warranty left to purchase AppleCare. I recently bought a MacBook Air 1.86 GHz SSD for $1000 on eBay and AppleCare for $120. In my opinion, that's your best bet. I'd avoid Craigslist as you could totally get a lemon and have no recourse (eBay offers buyer protection).
 
I have the same MBA and already Applecare has paid for itself

I purchased the same rev b 1.86/128 SSD MBA back in November 2008. One month later the trackpad got mushy and then I finally brought it in for repairs in September 2009 when the hinge got sloppy and the audio went dead on it.

At that point I purchased Applecare before the 1 year was out, and already in January 2010 the audio went dead on it again. I am sure that a fix to the dead audio would run more than the $249 that I paid for Applecare.

I am not whining about my MBA -- I love it, and now I can love it for another 21 months (is that legal in the south?).
 
wdean said:
I purchased the same rev b 1.86/128 SSD MBA back in November 2008. One month later the trackpad got mushy and then I finally brought it in for repairs in September 2009 when the hinge got sloppy and the audio went dead on it.

At that point I purchased Applecare before the 1 year was out, and already in January 2010 the audio went dead on it again. I am sure that a fix to the dead audio would run more than the $249 that I paid for Applecare.

I am not whining about my MBA -- I love it, and now I can love it for another 21 months (is that legal in the south?).
Click to expand...

The dead audio is a cheap fix. $24 for the Audio Board Flex Cable.
 
Airforcekid said:
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That's a little on the pricey side I've seen them as low as $650 in decent shape I wouldn't worry too much about not having a warrenty most accidental damage isn't covered anyway!
Click to expand...

$650 is REALLY low. I've even seen used Rev A's sell for more than that on ebay. Right now of course you can get a MBA pretty cheap because everyone is anticipating an update.

aaquib... I personally wouldn't spend that for a used Rev B at this moment in time and I still have my doubts with SSD's. Sure they run lightyears faster than HDD's, but they're performance can be degraded over time which I don't like. So depending on how used the SSD actually is (which you won't know for sure, but obviously over a year if the warranty is over), it's performance may be severely degraded and since SSD's have a limited number of writes you also have to take that into account.
 
Apple care is great, definitely get it !!

I brought in a Rev A MBA, 2 years old. It "didn't work" and diagnosis at genius bar was "bad HD." This was replaced, but when I picked it up, the machine still couldn't boot. I walked out with a brand new one, significant processor upgrade and HD improved, and an apology. Well worth it in my opinion.
 
IMO AppleCare is WELL worth it.

GSMiller said:
No you're not crazy. IMO AppleCare is a rip off because Apple is going to do everything in their power not to honor the warranty. In the 3 years I've owned my iMac I used AppleCare once and I could have paid out of pocket to have it repaired for less than what I had to pay for AppleCare.
Click to expand...

In the past 3 years, my GF and I have been to the apple store to use out applecare. Most recently for my girlfriends iphone and here macbook. Her iphone had been dropped several times and as a result no longer vibrated. They quickly replaced it for us without even asking questions.

Her macbook had a bad optical drive, and we unfortunately didn't realize that applecare had expired roughly two weeks earlier. The guy just whispered that he would see what he could do... He came back a few minutes later and told us that they were going to accept the macbook. They returned it a few days later with a new optical drive, new wiring and a new bezel... That is just a small example of the many good experiences we have had with the genius bar. Maybe it's just the apple store at the grove near us. But I will always carry applecare on any eligible product...
 
Always Buy Apple Care

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/AppleCareProtPlanFacts.pdf

1.) Be careful about CL product

2.) ALWAYS buy Apple Care. Now since your buying it from a third party, ask the previous owner if they had a Apple Care Plan for it. (Though from your post it doesn't sound like it)

Also ask Apple if your able to purchase Apple Care for this MacBook Air (Ask the owner if they can divulge the serial number) so you can find out if your able to.

If your unable to get a Apple Care plan for it, find out about Pro Care and see what that covers.

I recommend having some type of protection for the notebook. Cause you never really know what could happen.
 
Use the money you save to buy Applecare for your MBA. With those hinge problems, you won't want to risk it.
 
I had a uMB with the shiny glass screen, and it was driving me absolutely bonkers. As it turned out I was searching CL and found a 1.86 MBA with the SSD for $990. I thought it was a very good buy especially after meeting with the guy and going over the machine. I live in LA and there's usually a few listed per week. I bought it last summer and I really, really like the MBA I gave my wife the uMB and she loves it! This screen while it claims to be glossy is nothing like the uMB. You can always haggle. Be sure to meet in a public place, library, coffee house, etc. and be sure and go over the machine as much as you can, as best you can. I don't think $1000 too steep. You might can do better, if you live in a large metro area, but if you don't $1000 and still eligible for AppleCare is not bad, imho. Now I see you're in Toronto is the price quoted US or CAN? How's the exchange rate? It might really be a good deal if the exchange rate is like it was last time I visited Canada in the late 90s.
 
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