Getting a Macbook pro - First mac questions

Which version of the 15" Macbook Pro are you getting? But even the low end 15" Macbook Pro has a better CPU and graphics card than your old laptop.

Have you looked at the Apple site to compare the specs?

So if you don't mind me asking, how is it you are able to get 25% off a Macbook Pro?

 

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Since Apple puts the hardware together as well as the software the MB Pro just runs smooth. Let us know how much you love it once you play around and get use to it.

 

The 2.4 ghz i5 Quad Core will definitely be faster than a 2.53ghz Core 2 duo.

I personally am not a fan of buying the Apple Care or any extended warranty. They are a waste of money because it is very rare to ever have to use them. But if you must have one, check out the Square Trade warranty.

I just bought my first Macbook Pro, the 13" low end model and really am enjoying all the little things Apple gave it, that my PC laptop doesn't have. The quality and ease of use is so much better with the Mac.

 

It's not a Quad core. Just Hyper-thread. i5 and i7 in mobile still 2 cores.

Get Apple Care at the end of your default warranty.

 

Oh okay, but the i5 and i7 are still faster than the Core 2 duo.

 

25% off!!! Lucky!!!!

Enjoy.

 

I personally don't care for extended warranties for items that I can afford to replace without much difficulty. While replacing a laptop would be costly, it isn't going to be detrimental. When weighed against the probability of even needing a full replacement, it isn't a wise purchase. For the most part, repairs after the first year are typically rare and will probably involve replacing the hard drive, which isn't expensive (certainly not as much as Apple charges for Apple Care).

Plus, credit card extended warranties (which are free if your card offers such a service) really make it a moot point.

Apple doesn't have a 40% margin on Apple Care by accident.

 

dont worry about if a new system comes out there are always updates and always a better computer. If you need it get it now or just wait get something cheaper.

 

lololol

Yeah, I had like 8 grand in repairs done to my laptop. All of which began after the one year mark. And on top of the 8 grand or so in repairs, they threw me a new $2k+ machine yesterday. So for me at least, the AppleCare was the smartest move I had ever made in terms of computers.

 

It's important to keep things in perspective though. The odds that there are lots of people who have extensive repairs is low, which is exactly how Apple makes it's money on Applecare.

It's also important to keep in mind that you would not have likely continued to pay for repairs that exceeded the value of your machine.

Certain states also have good consumer protection laws for warranties. In California, for example, repairs can offset the original time scale if they are substantial enough. These things all have to be factored in (along with credit card and 3rd party warranties) before a decision is made.

In the end though, actuarial evidence should be the basis for not buying Applecare. Like almost all extended warranties, it just isn't a wise use of your hard earned dollars.

 

I for one think apple Care is worth it. I've had a battery replaced & maintenance done and peace of mind is priceless.

 

Your Macbook Pro's processor is MUCH better than your older laptop's however the graphic's card in the Macbook Pro is about half as powerful as your current one.

 

Applecare depends on a variety of factors. To say that you shouldn't get it "just cuz stuff breaks within the first year" is ludicrous. Not only could I show my repair tickets for substantial repairs done after the first year warranty, 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?"

That's not to say that Apple machines are useless, but one needs to weigh the cost with, as I said above, a variety of factors. Such as:

- Is the device fragile? What does the warranty cover?
- How often do I use this machine? Everyday? Once a month?
- Is this my only machine? Can I be without it for a few weeks/days/hours?
- Am I comfortable sourcing and replacing components from hard drives down to an entire logic board swap, if needed?
- 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?
- Am I a novice user who loves to talk on the phone to get support?
- Do I plan on selling it after one year?

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.

 

I didn't think that AppleCare covers the LCD?

 

The extended warranty industry thrives on consumers believing just that. Any product that needs an extended warranty to give consumers peace of mind, should be avoided. Rarely does an extended warranty pay off and one reason why Apple keeps selling them.

 

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.

I don't see where in this thread anyone has said such a thing.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

I agree with calboy on this one. Especially the fact that my credit card doubles my warranty to 2 years.

If in that time the cost of repair is enough to replace I will get that covered and will get a new computer! So the ~200 or ~250 isn't worth it to me to extend it for one year.

Also the savings you get from all the times of not buying warranties on computers would be enough to buy a new computer.

I don't care to spend that extra money on something that will get out of date in a few years anyway.

 

If Apple didn`t make a good profit on applecare they wouldn`t offer it.
I figure I`ve contributed enough to their bottom line already without shelling out 1/5 the price of my MBP again for 2 years of cover.

I understand the whole "peace of mind" thing but TBH if something serious occurred after the 12 month mark I would either use one of the many independant apple specialists or it would take a trip down a flight of stairs and be claimed on my insurance. (Much as it would pain me to do so).

 

Just get Applecare from ebay for $130. Make sure you buy from a reputable seller and you're all set.

 

I bought my girlfriend a white Macbook with Applecare 3 years ago and never had to use the extended warranty. So it was a big waste of money for me. In fact the only thing that needed fixing recently was the palm rest cracking issue. And Apple took care of this problem for free, way outside of the warranty period.

 

In my opinion, Apple care is worth it.

For less than 1/5 of price you are guaranteed to have a functional laptop (unless damage is your own fault) for 2 extra years. For 3 years you will have a technology relevant computer. After 3 years the chances that your computer is a dinosaur is large (albeit not as large now days with hardware having surpassed software) and the money spent on a new machine is well spent.

Obviously statistically the odds that you will require Apple care is small but it ensures that I won't have to purchase or update my computer within 3 years certain.

If money is no object then of course it doesn't matter, either way. But guaranteeing that I have a working relevant computer for 3 years is worth the 1/5 price for me.

 

True new models will always come out, but you should at least wait till next week to see when they are coming out. It doesn't make sense to wait for a model that is 6-7 months away because then you always will be waiting, but at the same time it would be stupid to buy if they are coming out very soon.

 

I highly recommend buying AppleCare from experience - definately worth it especially when potqentially your looking at a few hundred dollars / pounds to repair a machine.

Doesnt matter if a machine or device is 'reliable'its still made from plastic and metal and it can die on you whenever it goes wrong