I have had 9 macs starting with the 128k mac through a 2010 iMac and a 13" MBP. Never had apple care and never had any repairs that I had to pay for. The only problem I had was an G3 that died after 4.5 years and I upgraded, which I was ready to anyway. The only problem any of my friends or family has ever had was a HD failure on a 2010 iMac under the 1st yr warranty. On the other hand most of family and friends had many failures and problems with PCs and most have switched and are very happy.
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iMac hardware failure + exceptionally poor service from Apple
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I have had 9 macs starting with the 128k mac through a 2010 iMac and a 13" MBP. Never had apple care and never had any repairs that I had to pay for. The only problem I had was an G3 that died after 4.5 years and I upgraded, which I was ready to anyway. The only problem any of my friends or family has ever had was a HD failure on a 2010 iMac under the 1st yr warranty. On the other hand most of family and friends had many failures and problems with PCs and most have switched and are very happy.
This is part of the reason I decided to go with a hackintosh build this time. Part because Apple hasn't updated their desktop line in over a year and part because of how easy and cheap it is to build a compariable set up. When something goes out, I'll drive to microcenter and drop in a replacement part the same day for a reasonable cost.
I love Mac, but the neglect has soured me at the moment.
I love Mac, but the neglect has soured me at the moment.
Extended warranties, in general, are poor financial decisions. There is often more profit in selling warranties than in the product itself. It's a good lifelong strategy to assume some risk and not attempt to insure everything you own.
Well financially, I paid around $2500 for my iMac back in 2011. And then I paid $120 for the AppleCare. That's less than 5% of the computer price, and already paid itself for having 2 display + 1HDD replacements so far. So excuse me but I can't think of any better & cheaper extended plan than this.
Like I said, iMac has one of the cheapest plan amongst all Macs.
Sure some AppleCare can be quite expensive like in 15" MBPs. Then you may better off having it insured than attached to AppleCare. But if that's the case, you're still in a sense put less risk than off without any plan/insurance.
I can't argue with $120 for a $2500 iMac. Especially for an IMac since you can't even replace the HD yourself. Not easily or safely. I would make a rare exception here.
Oddly, the Applecare plan for the $2500 configured Imac costs the same as for the $1199 model. (lists for $169 for either) How did they figure this one?
That's what I figured too. Whichever iMac you choose, the AppleCare stays the same. I got mine at a bargain, thus $120, for $2000++ machine. I don't know why I wouldn't get one.
Compare the price of AppleCare for iMac to any Macbook Pro/Air, Minis, MacPros and you'll find out it's the best and cheapest plan around Apple products you can get.
I think the price is somewhat related to risk factors. iMac supposed to be less risky, it's a fixed station, damage is less likely.
But in contrary, I find out a sexy tight enclosure design is asking for problems. It has its own problems and turns out to be no less risky than mobile computers.
Are you guys just going to focus on that? Taking a month to get something through the shop and bungling paperwork is independent of whether you purchased an extended warranty. Either way it is stupid. You guys are focusing way too much on extended warranties rather than repair competency. Regardless of warranty status, if you pay for hardware service, it should be done properly.
I agree! Whether you're paying for an extended warranty or for a repair, the work should be done flawlessly and correctly the first time, no matter what.
Happy ending
Thanks for all your thoughts on this. Some of you were pointing out that it was pretty stupid to expect a new iMac, especially considering it was no longer under warranty.
Well, the other day Apple called me and wanted to give me a new current iMac.
So here I am, writing on a new 27" i7, 3.4Ghz, 16GB.
They obviously wanted to keep a good customer happy and decided to reach out. I'm impressed and appreciated it.
Asked if I could upgrade and get on with SSD as well (would pay the difference obviously). Unfortunately they had already assigned one for me without the SSD. However, can't complain. Faster still than what I had.
Good job
Thanks for all your thoughts on this. Some of you were pointing out that it was pretty stupid to expect a new iMac, especially considering it was no longer under warranty.
Well, the other day Apple called me and wanted to give me a new current iMac.
So here I am, writing on a new 27" i7, 3.4Ghz, 16GB.
They obviously wanted to keep a good customer happy and decided to reach out. I'm impressed and appreciated it.
Asked if I could upgrade and get on with SSD as well (would pay the difference obviously). Unfortunately they had already assigned one for me without the SSD. However, can't complain. Faster still than what I had.
Good job
I had it just the other way around. I have had several PC's from the mid-80's, each for like 6 years. Had very little problems with these. Still have my 9 year old PC which is still working.
In 2009 I switched to Apple, with a 2009 iMac i5 27". Thus far I had the following problems:
- defective ethernet port - logic board replaced
- defective temperature sensor - HDD replaced
- again defective ethernet port - logic board replaced
- Magic Mouse twice broken
- and now I have 1-2 millimeters room between the glass panel and the aluminium body, I'm going to call AppleCare tomorrow....
Thankfully I have AppleCare, because these repairs would have cost an amount I could buy a new one for.
Mind you: I like my iMac and OS-X and wouldn't want to go back to Windows, but I don't think Apple hardware is more reliable than that of any PC manufacturer.
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Thanks for all your thoughts on this. Some of you were pointing out that it was pretty stupid to expect a new iMac, especially considering it was no longer under warranty.
Well, the other day Apple called me and wanted to give me a new current iMac.
So here I am, writing on a new 27" i7, 3.4Ghz, 16GB.
They obviously wanted to keep a good customer happy and decided to reach out. I'm impressed and appreciated it.
Asked if I could upgrade and get on with SSD as well (would pay the difference obviously). Unfortunately they had already assigned one for me without the SSD. However, can't complain. Faster still than what I had.
Good job
That is very good to hear
Hmmm...
Because far too many of us have lauded Apple for years, bragging about how "they just work" and commenting on their superior build quality.
Now anyone that buys a Mac, especially switchers, feels their computers should work forever without problems.
Because far too many of us have lauded Apple for years, bragging about how "they just work" and commenting on their superior build quality.
Now anyone that buys a Mac, especially switchers, feels their computers should work forever without problems.
Ok so...assume iMac got broken after 5 months after purchase. Is there some differences in Apple approach to clients with and without AppleCare? Clients with AppleCare have more chances to be better treated? If, after that 5 months, your Mac will have serious problems is Apple keen to replace your Mac?
And can you buy AppleCare after 11 months since purchase?
And can you buy AppleCare after 11 months since purchase?
really? please build me a 27" all in one with a 6970M video card....oh wait you cant..and there isnt anything like it you can buy.
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extended warranty in general is a complete scam, the value of electronic depreciates significantly each year and the chance of failure nowdays are extremely low. Add them up you are better off just put the insurance money in the bank.
That said, applecare on a 27" imac isnt that bad a investment, considering the large number of display issues on the all in one and the cost of the insurance to the imac ($2000+) isnt too bad. Also imac do not depreciate the same as a tv for example, they hold their value much better.
Good read and glad you ended up getting this resolved. Situations like this can be so frustrating, at least you finally got it replaced even after all of the "back-and-forth." Congratulations
Good read and glad you ended up getting this resolved. Situations like this can be so frustrating, at least you finally got it replaced even after all of the "back-and-forth." Congratulations
Thanks a lot. Yeah the management at the shop really stepped up when they found out all the clutter. I'm glad they acknowledged a good customer and decided to keep me happy!
Don't be obtuse. Of course I can't personally build an all-in-one, but not everyone wants an all-in-one. Comparable is relative. Both are desktops. I built an Ivy Bridge 3570k, with a 27" monitor, and a 670GTX. It works great and was cheap. I love iMacs, but Apple simply didn't offer what I wanted when I needed it, so I had to build it. No need to get defensive.
Yep, you can buy applecare up to the moment your initial year/s cover expires. You should receive an automatic email from apple, suggesting an applecare purchase to you. I have for all my apple products in the past just before their initial cover lapsed.