Can you buy new applecare+ for an old computer?

[kadify]

This is going to be a weird/dumb question. I was reading a review on reddit about buying refurbished vs. buying new and read that apple won't sell applecare+ (the one with accident replacement) for a computer that is older than 1 year?

ie. if I were planning on buying a new 2016 computer from B&H, since they have overstock, unless I get the applecare from B&H, apple wouldn't allow me to walk into a store and buy applecare for that computer since it isn't a 2017? Or am I misunderstanding this? I ask just because I can get a student discount buying from apple vs. paying full price (but getting it preregistered) from B&H. It's not a huge difference in price but everything counts when you're going through school. I also want to make sure that there aren't like different types of applecare.

 

[Naimfan]

You can add Applecare+ to a machine bought from an authorized dealer, which B&H is.

 

[PieTunes]

How to get AppleCare+:
Add it to your bag during the checkout process when you purchase your new Mac. Or buy it within 60 days of your Mac purchase:

• Online (requires you to verify your serial number and run a remote diagnostic)
• At an Apple Store (if AppleCare+ is purchased separately from Mac, inspection of Mac and proof of purchase are required)
• By contacting Apple (requires you to run a remote diagnostic and provide proof of purchase)

 

[kadify]

Thank you for your quick answers! Much appreciated.

 

[PieTunes]

No problem! I gather you're still leaning towards purchasing a 2016 MBP? They're great machines! The keyboard is a bit polarizing, it seems like people either love it or hate it. Are you planning on purchasing from B&H? If so, I would verify their return policy, last I checked you couldn't return opened computers. I know someone who saved some decent money buying from them, but ended up hating the keyboard and couldn't return it and ended up selling it private party. If you've tested out the keyboard and have no issues with it, buying outside of Apple is a great way to save a chunk of change for sure.

 

[kadify]

No problem! I gather you're still leaning towards purchasing a 2016 MBP? They're great machines! The keyboard is a bit polarizing, it seems like people either love it or hate it. Are you planning on purchasing from B&H? If so, I would verify their return policy, last I checked you couldn't return opened computers. I know someone who saved some decent money buying from them, but ended up hating the keyboard and couldn't return it and ended up selling it private party. If you've tested out the keyboard and have no issues with it, buying outside of Apple is a great way to save a chunk of change for sure.

Yeah I'm pretty close to ordering a 2016 from B&H. Just seems like no matter what happens it should hopefully work out better than spending the extra amount from apple for the same computer. Yeah I think you can't return it if it's opened but I spent about an hour yesterday at the Apple Store typing on one and TBH it's not too bad. I know people say the 2016 keyboard feels harder than the 2017 so I guess I'll have to see but I'm a pretty soft typist so maybe I wouldn't notice the difference. TBH the biggest thing I think I'd need to get used to is the haptic feedback in the trackpad. It's really weird using it and having it not actually click.

 

[PieTunes]

Right on, sounds like you've done your homework regarding the keyboard, haha. For me it got progressively better. Hated it on the 2015 MacBook, liked it a lot on the 2016 MBP, and now love it on the 2017 MBP. As for the trackpad, I enjoy the larger size of it, I haven't encountered any issues with palm rejection. Haptic feedback you get used to pretty quickly when you notice how the required pressure is uniform across the entire surface. The trackpad System Preference is pretty fleshed out to for some additional customization, and force touch is pretty handy at times. Good luck with your purchase, hope it fits your needs!