How good is AppleCare

[Kwill]

AppleCare is HIGHLY recommended. Second to that is SquareTrade, which offers optional ADH (accidental damage from handling).

SquareTrade: Accidental Damage from Handling (ADH) guards you against life's little mishaps, whether you drop your cell phone on the street or splash coffee on your laptop. There is a $50 deductible when claiming on a damaged item. If your issue falls under the standard Care Plan terms (i.e., a mechanical or electrical failure), no deductible applies. ADH does not include loss or willful damage. The damage must have occurred unintentionally while the item was being used as intended.

For ADH, you can also consider renter's or homeowner's insurance. Generally it covers damage or loss of a laptop in the home or anywhere in the world for $125-300 per year. Deductibles are higher than SquareTrade ADH. The upshot is that more of your equipment/furniture is covered and when combined with auto insurance multi-policy discount, premium can be free.

 

[nstrudwick]

Applecare of course works equally in all countries, which is one of the great attractions. I bought my cover when I was working at a US university but the coverage was still good once I was back in the UK.

 

[clyde2801]

Apple laptops are expensive to buy parts for, and difficult to repair. Apple has a skinny fetish, so they make design tradeoffs like cooling internal parts in exchange for cooler looks.

If you get applecare, and don't have to use it to replace the laptop, you at least get three years of tech support and have coverage for apple peripherals like mice and keyboards. If you don't get it and a logic board goes out on you, it's almost as much to repair and replace it as it is to buy a new one.

So, do ya feel lucky, punk?

 

[Dreamail]

AppleCare == First Class Citizen, No AppleCare == Second Class

What I experienced time and again is that your normal warranty makes you a second class citizen when it comes to Apple repairs - even original defects.

When I got my PowerBook the keyboard had two keys not working - kaputt out of the box.

No problem I thought, went to the nearest Apple Dealer and showed him the issue.

The first reaction: "Yeah, we'll repair it, no prob. It'll probably take us a week to get the replacement keyboard in and then a few more days until a technician has a free time slot. Leave the PowerBook here and come back in 2 weeks."

To which I responded: "But I also purchased AppleCare!"

The surprising reaction: "Oh, why didn't you say so right away? In that case we can get the keyboard in probably day after tomorrow. We'll give you a call when it's here and you can have your keyboard replaced while you wait. In the meantime, just use an external keyboard if you have."


A while later the 80GB HD crashed, and again, the moment I mentioned I had AppleCare (this was with a different repair center as I had moved), things went much smoother and faster.

You'd expect a brand new product under warranty to be just as well off as if you purchased AppleCare. You think AppleCare only extends your warranty. Not really... It's more than that.

I had a similar experience with my iPod too.


I'd never go without AppleCare, unless it's a really cheap machine that you don't intend to use longer than 1 1/2 years anyway.

 

[mgridgaway]

I've had Apple care for about 1 yr, 4 months, and while I haven't had any problems I'm glad I have the protection available, should my iMac goes kaput (and part of me hope it does, many many times, so that I can get a brand new one ).

Chances are, nothing bad will happen to my mac, but if it does, at least I know I can get it repaired for free if it happens within the first 3 years.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

If you are planning on keeping your notebook 2 or more years, I would highly recommend it. Things happen... Apple has replaced so many batteries for my MacBook Pro's because of warping, easily made it worth it for me... Even things that you would not think you would need it for... power charger breaks 14 months into it, makes it worth it...

 

[gwangung]

Apple care...

...is more sensible for portables than desktop machines. More abuse, more physical wear and tear is inevitable on a machine you lug around a lot, and that can take its toll.

 

[eVolcre]

Definitely get Applecare. If nothing else, it increases your resale value. If you plan on keeping the machine for more than 2 years, it will undoubtably pay for itself. Issues that come up towards the end of the 3 years coverage *could* result in you getting a replacement current model because of lack of availability of parts.

Do a search on my recent threads about the Applecare experience. One single logic board or screen repair pays for itself. I'd recommend waiting until the end of the 1 year complimentary support. You have until then to make the decision.

I just had a 2006 1st Generation 17" MBP replaced with a brand new 17' MBP. Do the math ...

eV

 

[txhockey9404]

This is probably an extreme horror story compared to the standard "my hard drive died," but it is very true, and very unlucky.

My first iMac had a problem with shutting itself down without warning or reason. It was as if someone had yanked the plug out. It would happen very infrequently at first, about once per month. At that point, it was bearable. Then, after about 8 months of use, it got much more frequent. It would literally shut down 3 times per day, losing all work and progress. (These were not just kernel panics, they were full on power failure-type shutdowns). I took it into a Genius bar, and they witnessed the shutdown first hand and saw the logs. They first replaced the logic board and its associated fan. They gave me the receipt after the repair; it had a total of $1500 of repair to a $1200 computer. Luckily, I did not have to pay because I was still under warranty. Then, the next day, while I was reinstalling my OS because the failures had corrupted some system files, it began to shut down again. The hard drive was so fragmented that I couldn't even get any files off through Firewire disk mode. I then went back to the Apple store, who replaced the logic board again, the fans, the hard drive, the power supply, and the bluetooth chip(?). That total was $2200. When I took it home, the screen would not even turn on. It would boot and make error noises, but would not show anything on the screen. Needless to say, I took it back again. They reset PRAM, SMC, etc. to no avail. They took it in for a graphics card and display panel replacement. The bill was $900. This time, everything seemingly worked. Then, it shut down on me again, and I immediately took it back and demanded to speak to a manager because of this horrid experience. They quickly came and helped. I left the store with a brand new iMac, with all the upgrades that had come out, all for $30 in tax that I had to pay because of a tax increase. The next month, although my 1 year warranty was renewed, I purchased AppleCare for my new iMac, as well as the old one's twin. Fast forward a year, I have just purchased a new 13" 2.53 MBP, and grabbed AppleCare at the same time.

I have also called them for other things, such as Airport Express and Extreme problems, and they were extremely helpful, shipping things out 2nd day air for free.

GET APPLECARE!

 

[eVolcre]

This is probably an extreme horror story compared to the standard "my hard drive died," but it is very true, and very unlucky.

My first iMac had a problem with shutting itself down without warning or reason. It was as if someone had yanked the plug out. It would happen very infrequently at first, about once per month. At that point, it was bearable. Then, after about 8 months of use, it got much more frequent. It would literally shut down 3 times per day, losing all work and progress. (These were not just kernel panics, they were full on power failure-type shutdowns). I took it into a Genius bar, and they witnessed the shutdown first hand and saw the logs. They first replaced the logic board and its associated fan. They gave me the receipt after the repair; it had a total of $1500 of repair to a $1200 computer. Luckily, I did not have to pay because I was still under warranty. Then, the next day, while I was reinstalling my OS because the failures had corrupted some system files, it began to shut down again. The hard drive was so fragmented that I couldn't even get any files off through Firewire disk mode. I then went back to the Apple store, who replaced the logic board again, the fans, the hard drive, the power supply, and the bluetooth chip(?). That total was $2200. When I took it home, the screen would not even turn on. It would boot and make error noises, but would not show anything on the screen. Needless to say, I took it back again. They reset PRAM, SMC, etc. to no avail. They took it in for a graphics card and display panel replacement. The bill was $900. This time, everything seemingly worked. Then, it shut down on me again, and I immediately took it back and demanded to speak to a manager because of this horrid experience. They quickly came and helped. I left the store with a brand new iMac, with all the upgrades that had come out, all for $30 in tax that I had to pay because of a tax increase. The next month, although my 1 year warranty was renewed, I purchased AppleCare for my new iMac, as well as the old one's twin. Fast forward a year, I have just purchased a new 13" 2.53 MBP, and grabbed AppleCare at the same time.

I have also called them for other things, such as Airport Express and Extreme problems, and they were extremely helpful, shipping things out 2nd day air for free.

GET APPLECARE!

You're patient. I would have pushed for a replacement due to time/work lost after the second set of repairs and possibly after the first

eV

 

[MacAndy74]

So you strongly Suggest it?

Just wanted to chime in and say 'yes' I would actually not consider buying an Apple product without it. I like the idea of being covered for faults for three years.

 

[MovieCutter]

Seriously Apple Care is not worth it. Just ask someone you know about the problem or look online. Take my advice, you'll be saving yourself some money.

So...if a logic board goes bad, someone you know is going to have one lying around? I worked for Apple for 3 years and based on what I saw come to the Genius Bar, AppleCare is the best investment you could make for a $2000+ laptop. Just get it somewhere cheap like www.lacomputercompany.com or something, but take MY advice, you'll be saving yourself some money ACTUALLY BUYING AppleCare.

Applecare is not quite at the level of Levono's service. No onsite, no accidental coverage, same high price.

Actually, AppleCare for Mac Pros has on-site coverage...little known fact

 

[J&JPolangin]

....I usually NEVER buy extended warranties but with the way apple products are put together (not meaning anything bad or good by it), it seems like a must have due to the expense of repairs...I got it on my first iMac a few months ago and now I've gotten it on my whitebook... (none of my iPods ever got it/needed it)...

It already paid off on the iMac as I got iLife09 for free when I asked as I was reg the applecare and it was a prev gen with iLife08 pre-installed...so far its been helpful to have

 

[Loccy]

I'll be honest, I've never really understood the "OMG AppleCare is SOOOOOO crucial!!!11111!!!!one" attitude prevalent in the Mac community. I came over to the Dark Side (i.e. Apple) relatively late in my life as an IT professional, and it's the one aspect of Apple fanboyism I never quite acquired. I'd buy Macs for people in my old job and they'd look at me in horror when they realised I didn't get AppleCare. Then I'd say "but we have maintenance contracts on ALL the kit in the building, and your Mac is covered in these already", and they'd say "but it's not AppleCare". Strange people.

Maybe it's because I've always been one to fix problems myself on a computer rather than ask someone else for help - so would never use the tech support. Hardware issues, well, there's a year's warranty anyway, and after that I'll take my chances. I would tend to replace a machine after two years or so anyway.

Personally, I think if you consider yourself reasonably IT proficient - enough, say, to replace a hard disk or memory, or to manually install/remove kexts - then AppleCare is an expensive luxury you can probably do without. Note, "probably". As others have said, it's a gamble, but personally I don't think the way many make AppleCare out to be something almost obligatory is necessarily the case.

 

[J&JPolangin]

...with the discounts on the prev gen (as in the immediate previous upgrade) I use the savings on the NIB units to fund my applecare so I still come out ahead...

 

[MacAndy74]

I'll be honest, I've never really understood the "OMG AppleCare is SOOOOOO crucial!!!11111!!!!one" attitude prevalent in the Mac community.

So you're telling me that if a logic board or graphics chip on that logic board goes bang 6 months after your warranty is done - you're fine with paying big $ for repairs? Or what if you have a hard disk fail and maybe memory?

I'm very surprised by your attitude. People buy insurance in case their car is stolen or house burns down - Apple Care is insurance for your Apple product.
So I guess neither your car, house or health insurance because it's 'teh dumbn3ss' and you like to take chances.

 

[MorphingDragon]

Yes!!!

I say that because this eMac was a b!tch* to fix and I can only assume the new Macs are worse.

*and the fear of being Zapped by a CRT tube...

 

[NATO]

I think the reason Applecare is recommended so highly by the Mac community is because of how straightforward and easy it is to get repairs, unlike most warranty schemes where it can sometimes be a battle to get the manufacturer to repair or replace your product. Sure, you do hear about some people who have had a struggle to get a Genius to acknowledge a problem, but overall I think people who have a problem with an Apple product can rely on the fact that if anything at all goes wrong, Apple will put it right.

 

[Shivetya]

How good is it. Please help me

Get it.

Saved me over $1300 when my iMac died after two years. I think the actual repair cost was higher than that, which btw is more than it was worth.

 

[will0407]

Applecare is most definitely worth it. It;s even better if you're a student, as the price you pay for it will easily cover the labour costs of just one repair. It's also nice having the security in knowing that if your computer goes wrong in the next 3 years, it'll be fixed quickly and for free.

 

[Secundinius]

Seriously Apple Care is not worth it. Just ask someone you know about the problem or look online. Take my advice, you'll be saving yourself some money.

Yeah. Sure. My GF got it on her MacBook and has had three HDs and a logic board replaced for zero dollars and zero cents past what she paid for the service. The extended warrenty was >$200, but it has more then paid for itself.

Flip side. I don't have one. I need a new HD and to have OSX re-installed on said new HD. I have to pay out of pocket for my new HD. Now I'm kicking myself cause I had the money for the AC before but didn't buy it and now I need service and have no money cause I just spent a small fortune on car repairs......

I see it differently. It gives you peace of mind so that if anything goes wrong after the expiry of the initial year's warranty, you are covered. Yes, it's a gamble, but it's a gamble I have no problem paying for. Having already spent quiet a lot on a computer, I'd prefer to pay in advance for peace of mind and the knowledge that I have cover, than to pay for the repairs, which are likely to be expensive if anything goes wrong.

Cheers

Being a former life insurance salesman, I agree. They are betting that your computer will not have a problem by selling you the policy and you are betting that it will have a problem. Either way, win or lose, the piece of mind far exceeds the cost of the AC.

You wouldn't buy a new car without a warrenty, why not spend a few bucks for the piece of mind.

My vote, Yes, more then worth it. even if there ends up being no problems.

And after reading all these comments on how AC is a fanboy thing and how it's not worth it, I'd like to bring up personal experience. These people will stretch the limit when helping with problems. I got 3 iPods replaced out of warrenty for no charge. I've had one issue with my laptop, also out of warrenty, fixed for no charge.

As MacAndy74 said, you're okay with paying out of pocket for a logic board rather then paying 200 and having it replaced for free? Seems to me that Logic board cost > AC cost. But I'm no computer pro.

 

[sishaw]

If any computer component is going to die it will do so within the first year or after the Apple Care has expired. Then again, I never buy a single extended warranty, so ymmv.

As a statistical generalization, it may be true that a majority of problems happen in the first year. Nonetheless, in my case, I had screen hardware and inverter board problems that occurred in year 2 and were covered. Statistical generalizations won't help if you are among the minority that does have problems during the extended warranty period.

 

[SqB]

I'm on my third new keyboard/bezel for my 07 whitebook due to the notorious splintering issue. I do understand that they are now replacing these regardless of the AC coverage, but with it, I've never had any trouble. The second I open up the lid the genius starts writing up the work order. This last repair was done within a few hours.

I think I'll continue to buy the AC for my notebooks, but I've never bought it and probably never will for my iPod's and iPhones. Those types of items are just too disposable to put that extra money on. Besides, probably 90 percent of cell phone repairs are going to be necessitated by a drop or water exposure which are excluded anyway.

I will probably get the keyboard and bezel replaced one more time just before I sell it on eBay next year (right before it's third birthday). It will be a good selling point that the computer was just serviced under the AC warranty and has new kb.

 

[Loccy]

So you're telling me that if a logic board or graphics chip on that logic board goes bang 6 months after your warranty is done - you're fine with paying big $ for repairs? Or what if you have a hard disk fail and maybe memory?

Hard disk/memory - no biggie - those I can fix myself, and for a price lower than AppleCare would have originally set me back. (In fact I'm writing this on my Hackintoshed netbook because my Alu MacBook is in bits as we speak for a hard disk upgrade). Logic board - granted - that would be a bummer of the highest order. However in my experience Apple equipment has been reliable enough for me to accept such a risk. One would have to be spectacularly unlucky to come out behind, financially speaking.

I'm very surprised by your attitude. People buy insurance in case their car is stolen or house burns down - Apple Care is insurance for your Apple product.
So I guess neither your car, house or health insurance because it's 'teh dumbn3ss' and you like to take chances.

Don't have a car and live in the UK so health insurance isn't necessary Joking aside though, I see AppleCare broadly speaking as analogous to those extended warranties the sales drones in PC World or Dixons try to foist upon you whenever you purchase the most insignificant piece of minor electronics. I'm not saying that it's a bad deal as extended warranties go. Neither am I saying that for less computer literate people it mightn't be a good idea - certainly they might make use of that phone support. What I am saying is that I've never quite got the almost universal advocacy of AppleCare among a mostly tech-savvy community. I suspect, for all other electrical equipment, you would (as I do) laugh in the face of the sales drone offering the "extended three year warranty for this toaster at just three quarters of the price of the toaster itself".

 

[kaidoy021]

If you don't want to buy Applecare, try buying the macbook with an AMEX card if you have one. They offer extend the factory warranty a year on warranties that are 1-5 years in the US. So you'll at least be covered for 2 years (1 with apple factory and 1 more year with AMEX). The only thing is you have pay out of pocket for repairs and then you need to file a claim with AMEX.

I'm doing that now with my Canon DSLR which is 16 months old. The factory warranty was only 1 year and my shutter went dead. I'm in the process of the claim right now.

So at least your macbook would be covered 2 years if you purchase with a AMEX card and don't buy the applecare.

Good Luck
- Patrick