Is Apple Care necessary?

[Penni]

I will be purchasing a new iMac 27" and a new MacBook.
I have always bought it in the past, and felt it necessary for a laptop, but will a desktop need Apple Care?

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Well for mine with all iMacs being difficult to open, and the newer glued screen models coming in at extraordinarily difficult, from my point of view a big 'Yes'.

 

[redheeler]

AppleCare is always a good idea to have, even for a desktop, in case something goes wrong that isn't your fault. I ended up having to use it on my Late 2014 Retina iMac, mainly because of the display developing image persistence (a common problem on that model).
[doublepost=1497914258][/doublepost]You can also purchase AppleCare through reputable third-parties (such as B&H Photo or Mac Business Solutions) and it will cost less than purchasing straight from Apple.

 

[skinuca]

I always get it, but rarely need it. None the less, i'll get it again the next time too.

 

[Packers1958]

Applecare is a decent value considering the cost of these computers. $169 for a $2K+ 27 inch that I'm getting is a decent deal. However, I never buy it for my iPhone.

 

[iemcj]

It's hands down the best value you can get for insurance for your computer. Seriously, it's dirt cheap on the imac compared to ANY third party like say Squaretrade (which I love for phones). Knowing you're protected for three years also helps BIG time with resale, if you're selling it used in a year or two, Applecare transfers to the new owner so they're willing to pay near full price cuz they know they're safe.

 

[kaibob]

I almost never buy extended warranties, but I think the high cost of the iMac and the all-in-one form factor may make AppleCare worthwhile.

I was curious what Apple charges for out-of-warranty Mac repairs and could only find the paragraph quoted below. I don't know what it costs to replace the screen in a 27-inch iMac but I bet it's a bunch.

"How much will it cost? There's no charge if the issue is covered under warranty, AppleCare+, or consumer law. If your issue isn’t covered, the price depends on the type of repair. Ask your service representative for an estimate."

 

[Taz Mangus]

Save yourself some money and purchase AppleCare from LA Computer., $139 for the iMac. That is who I purchase my AppleCare from. By the way, use a credit card that has warranty extension coverage and you can get a longer warranty. For instance, purchase with American Express and the warranty extends an extra year. AppleCare combined with American Express you can get a 4 year warranty on your iMac.

 

[dogslobber]

Nope. Better to stash your pennies in a piggy bank so that when your Mac does break then you can pay to fix it yourself.

 

[starwager19]

I guess it depends on your risk tolerance and your ability to pay for an expensive repair if one is needed (much like any other insurance). I have been buying Apple computers (and now phones, tablets, and watches) since the mid 90s. I have never purchased Apple Care for any of them. The total amount I've spent on repairs that would have been covered by Apple Care over those years is far less than I would have spent if I'd have purchased Apple Care for everything. So I will continue to not buy it, and effectively self-insure. Will I regret that some day? Maybe. But thus far it has worked out very well for me.

 

[BuCkDoG]

Never a bad idea for AppleCare. Personally I don't since i tend the void the warranties anyways but I would definitely recommend it.

 

[BenTrovato]

It's such a tough call. Statistics will tell you over time, you never come out ahead by buying extended warranties. You'll always hear a story of someone who saved a large sum by having AppleCare and I understand that example, but that doesn't disprove the averages. It's tough because we're already paying the Apple tax, and then we add on AppleCare and by the time you power on your machine, you've paid quite a bit for not state of the art tech. If you're not owning apple stock, you're missing out on this money grab

 

[Analog Kid]

I guess it depends on your risk tolerance and your ability to pay for an expensive repair if one is needed (much like any other insurance). I have been buying Apple computers (and now phones, tablets, and watches) since the mid 90s. I have never purchased Apple Care for any of them. The total amount I've spent on repairs that would have been covered by Apple Care over those years is far less than I would have spent if I'd have purchased Apple Care for everything. So I will continue to not buy it, and effectively self-insure. Will I regret that some day? Maybe. But thus far it has worked out very well for me.

This has always been my way of describing AppleCare, but I'm just now realizing that I should really encourage as many people as possible to buy it. As long as there are a large number of AppleCare policies out there, Apple will be motivated to keep their quality levels high to avoid repair costs. As long as quality levels remain high, I don't need to pay the premium for AppleCare.

 

[Ant2369]

AppleCare is 100% worth it especially now that physical damage is covered like on iOS devices. Plus given the higher repair costs associated with the newer machines it is definitely worth the purchase

 

[kaibob]

Save yourself some money and purchase AppleCare from LA Computer., $139 for the iMac. That is who I purchase my AppleCare from. By the way, use a credit card that has warranty extension coverage and you can get a longer warranty. For instance, purchase with American Express and the warranty extends an extra year. AppleCare combined with American Express you can get a 4 year warranty on your iMac.

I'm always anxious to save money and had a look at the LA Computer site. They sell AppleCare for the iMac for $139, but the site states:

"This is not AppleCare+, This Model only does not cover accidental damage."

If you purchase an iMac directly from Apple, you are offered AppleCare+, which costs $169 but includes accidental damage coverage. I couldn't find any way to purchase AppleCare (not AppleCare+) directly from Apple.

I don't know if the accidental-damage coverage is worth $30.00, but it's good to know what you're buying.

 

[driftless]

For me, absolutely, it has more than paid for itself. I purchase my Mac's on a 3 year rotation, can you guess why?

 

[cptn.nemo]

For me, absolutely, it has more than paid for itself. I purchase my Mac's on a 3 year rotation, can you guess why?

How much do you typically end up losing on resale and purchase? I'm thinking probably a few hundred?

 

[dogslobber]

For me, absolutely, it has more than paid for itself. I purchase my Mac's on a 3 year rotation, can you guess why?

Why bother? Use the Mac until it breaks or falls to bits from the rust then buy a new one if that's your thing.

 

[Taz Mangus]

I'm always anxious to save money and had a look at the LA Computer site. They sell AppleCare for the iMac for $139, but the site states:

"This is not AppleCare+, This Model only does not cover accidental damage."

If you purchase an iMac directly from Apple, you are offered AppleCare+, which costs $169 but includes accidental damage coverage. I couldn't find any way to purchase AppleCare (not AppleCare+) directly from Apple.

I don't know if the accidental-damage coverage is worth $30.00, but it's good to know what you're buying.

You can only purchase AppleCare+ from Apple. When I purchased my iMac last year, AppleCare+ was not offered. I am not sure about accidental damage coverage. When you are spending several thousands dollars on a computer, does spending $30 more really matter.

 

[cptn.nemo]

Why bother? Use the Mac until it breaks or falls to bits from the rust then buy a new one if that's your thing.

Because in the end it costs the same as buying one every 10 years because the resale value. If u buy a new iPhone every year it cost u $100 a year. If you buy one ever 4 years it cost $400 cause of the lose on old tech. Same price but u get a new one every year

 

[driftless]

How much do you typically end up losing on resale and purchase? I'm thinking probably a few hundred?

Why bother? Use the Mac until it breaks or falls to bits from the rust then buy a new one if that's your thing.

AppleCare is a cheap IT department. I have had a HDD and monitor fail in the past early into my 3 years. I can't imagine why you would not have Apple Care.

 

[Taz Mangus]

Why bother? Use the Mac until it breaks or falls to bits from the rust then buy a new one if that's your thing.

In my case AppleCare has more than paid for itself many times over. Of course your experience differs from mine but that does not mean that purchasing AppleCare is a waste of money.

 

[dogslobber]

AppleCare is a cheap IT department. I have had a HDD and monitor fail in the past early into my 3 years. I can't imagine why you would not have Apple Care.

Because of probability theory.

 

[cptn.nemo]

Ok I have a question tho, I just ordered my iMac and didn't get it. Figured I could get it in a year when the 1 year warranty goes? Is that true or do I have to buy it now with the Mac

 

[driftless]

Because of probability theory.

Unless it is your iMac that has a failure and then you can't get any work done. What does probability theory value dogslobber's time at?