actually most credit card companies who have extended warranty benefit just reimburse you for the amount of repair so you can definitely bring your mac in apple store and have it repaired there. Then send the CC company the repair receipt to get reimbursed.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Is AppleCare worth it?
- Thread starter hotcoals
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
actually most credit card companies who have extended warranty benefit just reimburse you for the amount of repair so you can definitely bring your mac in apple store and have it repaired there. Then send the CC company the repair receipt to get reimbursed.
Maybe a stupid question, but...
I keep hearing people say to activate it at the 10-11 month mark. Is there any reason to not activate your applecare until your computer reaches its 11th month? Why not activate it right away when you get your computer?
I keep hearing people say to activate it at the 10-11 month mark. Is there any reason to not activate your applecare until your computer reaches its 11th month? Why not activate it right away when you get your computer?
You can upgrade your RAM and hard drive without invalidating your warranty. Upgrading your RAM on your own is really easy and a great way to save money on your expensive Mac purchase.
---
I'm about to run out of warranty and my Macbook is currently in for repairs. They already replaced my AC adaptor without a question when the cord melted in half and began sparking. Currently, they are replacing the palmrest due to cracking on the edges and general discoloration, fixing my superdrive because it does not recognize blank DVD media, and replacing my screen due to a couple odd discolorated spots growing on the screen.
Nope... No reason to wait. Activate it as soon as you get it.
Perhaps the comments you are reading are from people who are waiting to purchase AppleCare and stating that you should wait until the 10th or 11th month to buy it so that you can evaluate whether you think you will need it.
"We are sorry but your Macbook's screen has been determined to be damaged because of undue pressure. We can replace your screen for $750 plus applicable tax."
"...'undue pressure'?"
"Yes. That was what our diagnostic team determined, which is not covered by the warranty."
"For $750 plus tax I could buy a two 23'' monitors. Or for about 300 bucks more, I could just buy a new MacBook."
"..."
--
**** AppleCare. That was not $250 worth of service.
"...'undue pressure'?"
"Yes. That was what our diagnostic team determined, which is not covered by the warranty."
"For $750 plus tax I could buy a two 23'' monitors. Or for about 300 bucks more, I could just buy a new MacBook."
"..."
--
**** AppleCare. That was not $250 worth of service.
I am not surprised to hear of Apple denying a claim.
Have you tried instead a local independent shop?
Edit:
By that, I mean a local shop that is authorized to service Apple's, but not owned by Apple.
That's one of the big problems with extended warranties, and in fact with all other forms of insurance: the policies contain small print, which is 100% to the benefit of the insurer, and which they will often use to exclude your claims. Most people who buy these policies don't even read the small print, let alone, fully understand it.
I wonder what on earth sort of undue pressure they think I put on my Macbook. A sack of potatoes?
Generally true.
But, in the case of the AppleCare extended warranty, there is no difference between it and the standard warranty (aside from duration of warranty).
So, there is little remaining to be understood or interpreted. Essentially, you are just extending the warranty you have already, but for a longer period of time.
It's a little different than if you are buying an aftermarket warranty. But, yes, you should always know the terms.
I've had a lot of warranty stuff denied by Apple (even on brand new computers). But, the local service centers (not owned by Apple) honored the warranty and sent the bill to Apple.
The independent shops are much better than Apple. They will do the repair and send Apple the bill. This works much better for the consumer than if you go through Apple first and give them a chance to refuse service.
Or, perhaps they mean by pressing to firmly on the LCD screen with your fingers or cleaning cloth???
All warranties have the out clause covering any damage that was user induced.. ie water damage or dropping the computer.. which makes sense.. kuz why should apple cover people making stupid mistakes..
however... from my perspective, i have only had great experience with applecare covering everything that has gone wrong.
however... from my perspective, i have only had great experience with applecare covering everything that has gone wrong.
I dunno. I'm fairly anal retentive about my screen, in terms of freaking out when people come within a foot of it. I didn't even clean it with anything for about a year after I bought it and I have the posts to back me up on that. Hell, I've only cleaned it twice-three times with LCD wipes. Quite frustrating.
Fortunately, the discolorations are only really visable with colors on the white end of the spectrum and even then you need to be a visual quality freak to notice them. I had to put up a white background and point out the problem spots before the Geniuses could spot them.
It's always true. You are simply paying to extend the warranty, with all of its original limitations, exclusions, and small print.
None of my apple products ever died until Applecare ran out anyway, and if you go to an Apple store and tell them you want a depot repair they will fix just about anything for a fixed fee of $350.
I just got my MBP 1.83 fixed through there: $350 for a new logic board, new cpu, 2 new fans, and a new superdrive. Sweet.
I just got my MBP 1.83 fixed through there: $350 for a new logic board, new cpu, 2 new fans, and a new superdrive. Sweet.
One approach is to sell it right before the 2 years are up and get a new one.
That way you're always covered and will probably be ready to move
into the newest technology by then.
That way you're always covered and will probably be ready to move
into the newest technology by then.
With Apple's reliability (and the number of duds I've purchased from them), I consider a machine that lasts 2 years to be a keeper.
I always struggle with buying a new Apple computer. Mostly because I know I've got a 95% chance that I'm going to have to return it for something or deal with repair headaches.
I've purchased several computers new from Apple in the last 3 to 4 years. And, sadly, none (yes none) have been reliable or free of defects.
Even the one I'm using now has a minor issue (well minor to me, but not likely anyone else). It has a poor solder connection on the audio output port. I know how to fix it myself (quite handy with a soldering iron). But, I know that fixing it myself will void the warranty (since I'd be disassembling the machine and soldering it myself.
I know that if I take it in to be fixed, that they won't perform actual repairs and instead will replace the entire logic board. And, since the replacement would just be a refurb, then I run the risk of getting something with other defects that actually affect the usability of the machine.
As it is, I can install a sound card or switch to using digital audio and the poor solder connection becomes irrelevant.
Alternatively, I've considered talking with the local guys, and asking them to disassemble the machine and lay it out on a bench and supervise me retouching the solder on the plug.
No-one does that level of work anymore. They always replace an entire logic board on the Macs.
But, I'm happy with my functioning logic board. The CPU's work, the system doesn't overheat, I don't get any errors, everything else is reliable.
And, I know from experience that as soon as they stick a refurb board in there, that the new board is going to have some issue which will cause me to go into the shop and will start the dreaded cycle (which I am quite familiar with) all over again.
So, at this point, I am leaning more towards installing an aftermarket sound card and then retouching the solder connection myself after the warranty has expired.
This is the first new Apple I've had in so many years that actually works at all. So, I'm not about to let them break it. I'll fix it myself or install an aftermarket sound card and just forget about it.
I wish I had better faith in their quality. But, experience has shown me otherwise.
I do have a few reliable Macs around here. Several actually that have no problems. But, I got them second hand, and could evaluate them a bit. When I've purchased new ones from Apple, I usually get the dud. You can't pre-test on the new ones, you get what they ship you.
I've got a new local shop out here though, and I've found their guys to be unusually friendly. So, I may just hit them up with my idea and see what happens. I've got more experience with a soldering iron than I care to remember (lots and lots of memories being hunched over a table working on tiny connections).
So, if I let them break it down, let them observe what I do (only 30 seconds of work), then let them reassemble it, they'll be able to tell that it was done right, and the process should all look like an authorized Apple repair (instead of having signs that I didn't know where all the hidden release clips and such were - darn Apple, can't make everything obvious).
Anyway, if a machine gave me 2 years of reliable service and didn't need any trips in for repair, then I would keep it. The only reason I'd consider replacement then is if it just absolutely couldn't do what I wanted.
Now, a PC, yes I'll buy a new one of those without blinking. I've never had one go in the shop for repair. But, an Apple, I'll think carefully before I buy a new one. I cautiously weigh the risk and evaluate the current complaint level for any new Apple purchases.
I'm in the yes camp. My current machine has been practically rebuilt by Apple under Applecare. I think the only original components are the case and screen.
A few years ago I saw a consumer show which stated that Applecare was the only extended warranty they advised buying, I seem to remember this was because Apple only offer a standard 12 month warranty which was considered pathetic compared to other manufacturers. Something like this anyway, I can't remember exactly.
Interestingly, Applecare is not available everywhere. I have big problems with it if a problem crops up when i am at work in Saudi. I have not been able to find any Mac vendor that deals with Applecare, I have asked the UK Applecare people to email me numbers and addresses of Arabian Gulf Applecare centers, but they've never materialized. I just have to register the problem with the UK people and wait until I come home.
A few years ago I saw a consumer show which stated that Applecare was the only extended warranty they advised buying, I seem to remember this was because Apple only offer a standard 12 month warranty which was considered pathetic compared to other manufacturers. Something like this anyway, I can't remember exactly.
Interestingly, Applecare is not available everywhere. I have big problems with it if a problem crops up when i am at work in Saudi. I have not been able to find any Mac vendor that deals with Applecare, I have asked the UK Applecare people to email me numbers and addresses of Arabian Gulf Applecare centers, but they've never materialized. I just have to register the problem with the UK people and wait until I come home.
swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
It's kind of luck of the draw. For phone support, the tier 1 reps are often friendly, but you may find the Mac-heads on these forums to be more knowledgable. Product specialists can at times be more helpful, but at times can be surprisingly clueless as well.
For hardware repair, I have had mixed experiences. If you have a desktop and they offer on-site repair, I would advise against it. They hire a local contractor to come out (who broke my eMac). However, they also then replaced my eMac with an iMac. So, I came out of that situation pretty well.
Back with my iBook G3s they fixed the logic board over and over (I sent it for the same problem about 4 times), and the last time they claimed there was water damage and wouldn't repair it. It was my word against theirs, and I know mine was good, but didn't count for anything.
My sister had much better luck getting her iBook G4 fixed.
So, yes I still buy AppleCare (for MacBooks education price is 183). But I also pay for insurance through SafeWare which is only $84/year. Some people might say it's paranoid, but I don't want to have a moment where I spill a glass of water and freak out, I'd rather know that my computer is backed up and insured.
BTW, my MacBook left today for repairs, so I can report if the experience has improved. I think it's going to Flextronics (which is the land of the iBook G3 nightmares.....)
For hardware repair, I have had mixed experiences. If you have a desktop and they offer on-site repair, I would advise against it. They hire a local contractor to come out (who broke my eMac). However, they also then replaced my eMac with an iMac. So, I came out of that situation pretty well.
Back with my iBook G3s they fixed the logic board over and over (I sent it for the same problem about 4 times), and the last time they claimed there was water damage and wouldn't repair it. It was my word against theirs, and I know mine was good, but didn't count for anything.
My sister had much better luck getting her iBook G4 fixed.
So, yes I still buy AppleCare (for MacBooks education price is 183). But I also pay for insurance through SafeWare which is only $84/year. Some people might say it's paranoid, but I don't want to have a moment where I spill a glass of water and freak out, I'd rather know that my computer is backed up and insured.
BTW, my MacBook left today for repairs, so I can report if the experience has improved. I think it's going to Flextronics (which is the land of the iBook G3 nightmares.....)
I think it is worth it IF you plan on keeping the computer for the full three years. I got it for my Mac Pro but I also found it on ebay for $135 so that was nothing to me for three years worry free. The Mac Book Pro is a different story. I think you can still find them for around $250 on ebay if you look.
If my MBP unexpectedly breaks beyond the 1-year stock warranty I'll just consider it bad luck and get another one. I'm not going to buy Applecare so that I can repair something that is several years old. It's not a car, it's a laptop, and if I couldn't afford another one after a year or two I wouldn't have bought a MBP to begin with. I'd rather spend a little more and buy a cheap-o laptop for backup than get Applecare.
Extended warranties are a false sense of security. Your stuff *might* get fixed. On the other hand, many of us are more likely to lose or destroy or get our laptops stolen than to experience a random component failure between the 2-3 year mark.
Just IMO...
Extended warranties are a false sense of security. Your stuff *might* get fixed. On the other hand, many of us are more likely to lose or destroy or get our laptops stolen than to experience a random component failure between the 2-3 year mark.
Just IMO...