Applecare depends on a variety of factors.
I don't think that's a point of contention, and as this is a general question regarding Applecare, we're giving advice based on what the
typical consumer would need. Until we get more specific information, I think that's the situation we should be evaluating.
To say that you shouldn't get it "just cuz stuff breaks within the first year" is ludicrous.
I don't see where in this thread
anyone has said such a thing.
but the myriad of individuals on these very boards asking if we can troubleshoot hardware issues ought to be somewhat of a sign. "No, I didn't get Applecare. Is this gonna cost me?"
If it's a sign of anything, it's that these forums are a good source of information and troubleshooting.
Your contention might have some bearing if we knew how many people ended up using Applecare compared to the number of people who actually bought it (hint: it certainly isn't going to be very high if Apple maintains profit margins over 40%
before paying out repairs).
a variety of factors. Such as:
- Is the device fragile? What does the warranty cover?
Applecare wouldn't help you here unless Apple admitted a defect, and even if so, product liability laws might extend to non-Applecare customers as well.
- How often do I use this machine? Everyday? Once a month?
Certainly, but I think most people use their computers daily. Mine certainly gets many healthy hours of use every day. I don't think it would be a very good selling point for Apple if, in order to use their machines like an average person, you needed to buy an extended warranty which added 20% or more to the base price of your computer.
- Is this my only machine? Can I be without it for a few weeks/days/hours?
Applecare really doesn't impact chronology. If your computer needs two days of repairs, it needs two days of repairs. The one exception to this is if it's a problem that can be fixed over the phone, and then the phone support comes in handy. Of course it's also a risk-benefit analysis that tilts against Applecare when one factors in the cost of a call versus the cost of Applecare and proximity to a retail store or other repairer.
- Am I comfortable sourcing and replacing components from hard drives down to an entire logic board swap, if needed?
This is true, but there are plenty of 3rd party repairers that can do simple hard drive replacements for a fraction of what Apple's list price is. It certainly isn'g going to come close to the cost of Applecare.
- My credit card has a warranty included...what are the terms? Are they favorable, convenient, and ultimately a satisfactory stand in to the OEM warranty?
This is a factor that is really controlled by one's credit card company, but even if it didn't exist, Applecare wouldn't be any better. Credit card perks are merely a coup de grace for Applecare.
- Do I plan on selling it after one year?
If you do, will the Applecare return at least its own cost at resale? Do 1 year-old MBPs with Applecare sell for at least $350 more than those without? Do 2 year-old ones sell for at least $175 more than those without?
I personally don't know, but I would be surprised if buyers were willing to shell out so much more for a used notebook, especially when they could conceivably purchase an 11 month-old notebook and buy the Applecare themselves if they so desired.
If you're like me, i'm on my machine wayyyy too often, but since I use it for school, work and home, it's just gotta work, especially since it's my sole machine. Am I expecting something to break? Not really. But if something does, especially something expensive or labour intensive i.e. the lcd, or motherboard, i'd rather just ship it off to Apple and have them do it for much less than i'd end up paying to do it. After three years, I can do it myself.
For more than 3 years my MBP has essentially been my lifeline to the world (I don't even own a tv anymore-my mbp serves as my workhorse and entertainment center), and I've had it sent off to Apple for repairs. Even without Applecare I haven't had to spend a dime because the repair was one that was covered under a recall, and I had a faulty battery replaced for free by my credit card. Even if it hadn't been, I would have only paid $129 for it, less than half of what Applecare would have cost me. Thus, I would have still come out some $200 ahead even if I didn't have my credit card perks.
The key here is that my story is statistically likely, while yours (and other posters who tell tales of catastrophe) are rare. That's the entire premise behind insurance. Insure what you can't afford to buy again like a car or a house, not consumer electronics that can be more easily replaced and that are already under coverage by other mechanisms.
