How many people get AppleCare with their iMacs ?

[bogatyr]

In my experience, 3 years is a good warranty period for a desktop. While the rate of a failure may be low, you have to consider that the cost of the warranty is around 7% of the cost of the computer (speaking of the 27" $2000 model which I will be purchasing). Then consider the cost of a small repair on it, many failures will run more than the cost of AppleCare.

Plus as it is an AIO computer, do you really want to deal with tearing it open and risking more damage to it? I certainly don't - but I also don't want to deal with it as my day job is working in I.T. already and the last thing I want when I get home is to fix my own system.

 

[mcpix]

I usually never buy extended warranties, but I always buy AppleCare. As someone else mentioned even a single repair is going to cost at least as much as AppleCare. Plus, the added bonus of telephone support makes it a good deal.

 

[forty2j]

Honestly, it depends on how much of it is "tried & true" components. I skipped AppleCare on my 2007 iMac. If the 2012 includes some kind of new display technology (whether or not it's Retina), I'll definitely be getting AppleCare on it.

 

[vladfein]

My point is ...

I was simply questioning your statement:
Originally Posted by eddjedi View Post

The failure rate is a fraction.

 

[russofris]

If you intend on keeping your Mac for more than one year, buy applecare.
If you have young children, buy applecare.
If you have a pet, buy applecare.
If you don't have a personal support resource, buy applecare.

If you're someone that buys a new Mac each cycle and sells the old one on Craigslist, and the computer is located in a low-risk area away from kids and pets, there's really no reason to buy applecare.

My only problem with Applecare is that it only lasts 3 years. I'd prefer 5.

F

 

[iSayuSay]

I had smudged display problem within the first year of iMac ownership. And it does come back.

So it was no brainer for me, problem occurs even before I bought the AppleCare, it really is a peace of mind and I'm sure the AppleCare gonna pay for itself countless times. Remember, my problem comes back. So it will be another 4 to 5 replacements for the next 2 years.

 

[dearlaserworks]

I had smudged display problem within the first year of iMac ownership. And it does come back.

Numerous reports of this issue along with other issues, even if they may be a low percentage of all iMacs, have me convinced to get AppleCare with a new 27" 2012 iMac when they are released. It's only $122 (about the cost of sales tax here) from B&H Photo and you have up to a year to add it. This will be my first extended warranty, ever.

 

[NeverhadaPC]

If the technology is new there are likely problems to be had (read: iMac screens of 2005ish). For my uMBP (mid-2009), I had pretty much everything but logic board replaced in different repairs, which made it perfectly profitably for me: new screen, SuperDrive, trackpad, power supplies, battery.

As a rule of thumb, I get reasonably priced coverage on products such as Apple computers (<$300 on $2200) or big-screen TVs (<$150 on $2000), but not on phones, iPads, or PS3's.

 

[BornAgainMac]

My work iMac hard drive died within a week of AppleCare expiring. Apple sent someone with a plunger and removed the screen and replaced the drive with a slightly higher capacity drive. I got AppleCare for my personal iMac and had no problem so far in 2 years.

 

[robgendreau]

They're betting you won't need it; you're betting you will. They are the house; they have the overwhelming advantage and usually win.

I've had 20+ Macs over the years, and sometimes bought it. But never had to use it, nor did I ever have a problem it would have fixed.

Check your credit card's extended warranty provisions, and over insurance sources too. For some of us theft or breakage/spillage is more of a problem and AppleCare won't help with that. Someone mentioned pets/kids: unless they cause defects in materials and/or workmanship I don't see how AppleCare would protect you from their actions.

 

[eswank]

When I buy a new Apple product I always buy AppleCare. It might not be right away when the new device is purchase but will always buy it. I usually shop around for AppleCare and so far the best price I've seen for my MacBook Pro's have been at B&H. Other than B&H, I usually have luck finding them on eBay.

 

[fastlanephil]

I need to get Applecare for my iMac pretty soon. I see B&H PHoto has it right now for $122 plus free shipping.

 

[thelink]

Not enough

 

[S.B.G]

Just wondering if it's worth getting AppleCare when I get my 1st iMac,whenever it comes out that is..

I know it's worth every penny if it breaks but how many iMacs do break ?

I just took my iMac in recently to have the display replaced due to discoloration. The AppleCare covered it and thankfully because the it would have cost me just over $600 out-of-pocket otherwise.

AppleCare more than paid for itself on my mid-2010 27" iMac.

 

[makotoisle]

I debated this when I bought my last car: should I spend $1500 on extending the warranty a few years on a $30k purchase?

Ultimately, like Apple Care, I decided no. If you buy it, you're betting your computer will crap out. If you don't buy it, you're betting your computer won't crap out.

Either way is a gamble, and knowing the house usually wins anyway - and that extended warranties are one of the most lucrative money generators for dealerships - I decided to be more positive and to bet on myself

 

[Bear]

For a base Mac Mini, AppleCare is way too expensive. For anything else, AppleCare is worth it.

Speaking specifically of the iMac, AppleCare is less than Apple would charge to replace the optical drive or hard drive if they failed. And not everyone is comfortable pulling an iMac apart to replace parts.

When I recently brought my iMac in for an optical drive problem, they replaced the display as well. So in my case the price of AppleCare was well worth it.

 

[iSayuSay]

I just took my iMac in recently to have the display replaced due to discoloration. The AppleCare covered it and thankfully because the it would have cost me just over $600 out-of-pocket otherwise.

AppleCare more than paid for itself on my mid-2010 27" iMac.

The very same exact problem I talked about, and I had it twice without AppleCare (it was under regular warranty) ... it's going to be the best extended warranty product I every buy. $130 for infinite display replacement within the next 2 years .. plus cover for other component failures.

Damn if you don't buy it

 

[Roller]

.Check your credit card's extended warranty provisions, and over insurance sources too. For some of us theft or breakage/spillage is more of a problem and AppleCare won't help with that. Someone mentioned pets/kids: unless they cause defects in materials and/or workmanship I don't see how AppleCare would protect you from their actions.

Good advice. I always buy my Macs on my Amex card, which doubles the warranty to two years. AppleCare would just add one more year of coverage, so wouldn't be worth it for me. I don't get the phone support, but it's not important to me.

 

[iSayuSay]

I debated this when I bought my last car: should I spend $1500 on extending the warranty a few years on a $30k purchase?

Ultimately, like Apple Care, I decided no. If you buy it, you're betting your computer will crap out. If you don't buy it, you're betting your computer won't crap out.

Either way is a gamble, and knowing the house usually wins anyway - and that extended warranties are one of the most lucrative money generators for dealerships - I decided to be more positive and to bet on myself

Wow .. an old fashioned thinking, huh?

If you brought a raincoat, does it mean you're betting to get caught in a heavy rain? If it's going to be a sunny day .. fine .. but at least I'm always prepared.

People don't buy life insurance because they want to be sick or die soon. But at least if something happened, I don't go empty handed.

At the very least, same can be said about AppleCare. I'm willing to "waste" $130 for a $2500 computer to get a peace of mind. Doesn't mean I want my Mac get into trouble and get a lot of repairs. In fact I want my machine to be just fine, but like I said .. always expect the unexpected.

 

[driftless]

Applecare is the best. I have had to use it and having to make one phone call is the only way to go. I have decided to replace my Macs, Time Capsule when they enter year 4, it is a simple purchase philosophy.

 

[Mr Rogers]

If my experience of Apple products is anyway a measure for the requirement of AppleCare, you'd be crazy not to get it.

Not sure what folks are saying about Apple products being fantastic and problem free - just go to the Genius Bar to see this is not the case.

So, as an insurance policy, AppleCare, particularly for laptops is a necessary and expensive requirement.

One bonus though, check on eBay and notice the end sale value of 'used' Apple products - those with AppleCare have a higher value than those without.

Indeed, if you utilise a two year Apple product purchase cycle, that is sell your machine after two years of use with APP, your resale value makes up for the additional cost.

I'd never buy Apple without AppleCare and this definitely applies to iMac's - do yourself a favour though, purchase off eBay or if a student, apply with your educational discount.

 

[mcpix]

I've always bought AppleCare through Apple. Any difference when you buy it from somewhere like B&H?

 

[user418]

I've always bought AppleCare through Apple. Any difference when you buy it from somewhere like B&H?

No difference other than you might get it cheaper from B&H. BTW, they're an excellent, reputable company.

 

[harcosparky]

I'll never have an iMac without Apple Care.

I had an iMac fail a little over two years old.

Apple Care to the rescue.

I took it in for a failing HDD.

When I picked it up the paperwork said the repair bill was $1,400

Turns out a lot more than the HDD was bad.

I came home with an iMac with brand new ....

HDD
ODD
LCD Panel



Apple Care is a waste of money if you buy it and never use it.

Apple Care is worth its weight in gold if you don't buy it and need it.



.

 

[NMF]

I just took my iMac in recently to have the display replaced due to discoloration. The AppleCare covered it and thankfully because the it would have cost me just over $600 out-of-pocket otherwise.

AppleCare more than paid for itself on my mid-2010 27" iMac.

Same exact thing happened to my wife's 2009 iMac last month. Luckily it was still covered by AppleCare for another 3 months. Talk about perfect timing. Apple fully replaced the LCD, new front LCD glass, new ODD and new HDD (apparently it was failing -- news to us!). Final bill was over $1500. We paid $0.

Traditional logic regarding extended warranties does not apply to AppleCare. AppleCare is always worth it for every product, IMO. It doesn't matter where you buy it, so if you're not a student then keep your eyes peeled for third-party Amazon sellers and eBay. I actually bought my wife's AppleCare on craigslist from someone who bought it years ago for her old Mac and forgot to activate the code.