Just got a new MBP! A few questions...

[kingneptune117]

Hey guys,

Just got went to Bestbuy (I know, not the best place, but it is what was near me) and got myself a brand new MBP 13 inch with retina.

I did not purchase any protection plan. I heard some talk about how Applecare is a must...would you guys recommend this? I am very cautious with my laptops. I have a one year warranty for manufacturer defects right? What else does Applecare get me that the one year warranty doesn't? And does it extend that one year warranty?

Also, on my old laptop, I started to see pressure marks on the screen because the keys must have been pushing against the screen. Do I have to worry about this with the MBP? Should I keep that thin sheet in between the screen and keyboard (the one that it comes with when you first open it up)?

Thanks! Please provide me with any and all suggestions. I already got myself a great case.

 

[snaky69]

Hey guys,

Just got went to Bestbuy (I know, not the best place, but it is what was near me) and got myself a brand new MBP 13 inch with retina.

I did not purchase any protection plan. I heard some talk about how Applecare is a must...would you guys recommend this? I am very cautious with my laptops. 1.I have a one year warranty for manufacturer defects right? 2. What else does Applecare get me that the one year warranty doesn't? 3. And does it extend that one year warranty?

Also, on my old laptop, I started to see pressure marks on the screen because the keys must have been pushing against the screen. 4. Do I have to worry about this with the MBP? 5. Should I keep that thin sheet in between the screen and keyboard (the one that it comes with when you first open it up)?

Thanks! Please provide me with any and all suggestions. I already got myself a great case.

Questions numbered above.

1. Yes, as with everything sold in most countries your new computer carries a 1 year warranty.

2. 2 more years of the above warranty.

3. See number 2. You could've googled this easily yourself.

4. No.

5. I wouldn't bother, never have on any Mac I've owned and I carry my stuff everywhere. Never had a problem.

As to whether it's worth it, that's 100% up to you.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I highly recommend AppleCare, unless you have the cash, should your Mac need repair after the first year. Hardware repairs can be very expensive. And even though you are careful, accidents can happen.

 

[kingneptune117]

I highly recommend AppleCare, unless you have the cash, should your Mac need repair after the first year. Hardware repairs can be very expensive. And even though you are careful, accidents can happen.

This is true. From what I read, I can purchase Applecare at anytime within the one year warranty. I am going to wait a little bit to save up for it. I have the cash now but it hurts me to look at my bank account with $1450 less in it, lol

I will most likely purchase it.

Also, others can confirm that it is safe to not put the protective sheet in between they keyboard and display? Nothing bothers me more than screen defects, so I just want to have other people opinions. Thanks guys! Very happy with my purchase.

 

[Apple_Robert]

This is true. From what I read, I can purchase Applecare at anytime within the one year warranty. I am going to wait a little bit to save up for it. I have the cash now but it hurts me to look at my bank account with $1450 less in it, lol

I will most likely purchase it.

Also, others can confirm that it is safe to not put the protective sheet in between they keyboard and display? Nothing bothers me more than screen defects, so I just want to have other people opinions. Thanks guys! Very happy with my purchase.

I have the classic MBP 13", so I can't advise or comment on the clearance issue when closed, as to having a cover between the screen and keyboard.

I use a Radtech screensavr. You could try tracing paper. That should be thin enough. Maybe those with retina can give better ideas.

 

[rex450se]

This is one of the few time I would advise against AppleCare. And only because I would say go with Best Buy's protection plan. It cover's accidental damage and AppleCare doesn't. You'll still have Apple Care for the first year. It is a transferable warranty that in the event you choose to sell this down the road and upgrade will be a selling point. I sold a $2000 laptop on eBay awhile ago and the guy said the reason he bought mine was a warranty that came with it. And while AppleCare is great, I don't think it's the best if you don't have an Apple Store near you, because then you have to ship your computer out, if you have a Best Buy close you don't have to worry about shipping it. Best Buy does ship a lot of the stuff they can't do in store to wherever it is they ship it to, but you don't have to take on that responsibility of packing and shipping it out. When i sipped that laptop to the buyer it was $80 for sipping and insurance, which I'd get every time, so let Best Buy pay for that. If you have an Apple Store close and think you won't need the accidental damage coverage then AppleCare is great and you do have the year to think about it. But if you have little one's running around the house, or a dog that could snag a cable as he ran buy pulling it off the desk, I would highly recommend a plan that covers accidental damage also.

Victor

 

[Altemose]

Hey guys,

Just got went to Bestbuy (I know, not the best place, but it is what was near me) and got myself a brand new MBP 13 inch with retina.

I did not purchase any protection plan. I heard some talk about how Applecare is a must...would you guys recommend this? I am very cautious with my laptops. I have a one year warranty for manufacturer defects right? What else does Applecare get me that the one year warranty doesn't? And does it extend that one year warranty?

Also, on my old laptop, I started to see pressure marks on the screen because the keys must have been pushing against the screen. Do I have to worry about this with the MBP? Should I keep that thin sheet in between the screen and keyboard (the one that it comes with when you first open it up)?

Thanks! Please provide me with any and all suggestions. I already got myself a great case.

The precision construction of the MacBook Pro prevents any type of key to screen contact. However, the use of a silicon keyboard cover can and most likely will cause marks on the screen. You do not need to use that sheet in between like a PC user might. I have the mid-2012 classic MacBook Pro which is now a couple of years old with no marks at all.

I highly recommend AppleCare for your computer. First of all, the new Retina MacBook Pro is not very repairable at all. Second of all, AppleCare will cover your AirPort base station, accessories, and other parts with your MacBook like the power adapter and Thunderbolt adapters for instance.

You may want to consider a snap-on case but there are two arguments to every statement. On the plus side, they will prevent minor dents, scratches, and dings. On the negatives, they can uglify the Mac, cause scratches from debris not being cleaned out, and could potentially cause issues with docks and BookArc like things.

These are just my .02 on the subject.

 

[kingneptune117]

Thanks guys!

Just had a really weird issue...I opened my macbook pro (it was asleep, not off) and went to log in. I was at looking at the login screen and the screen went black...I moved my mouse around a second or two after and it returned to normal. Then I went to the app store to look around and it happened again. Once again I just moved the mouse around and it went back to normal. I've been using it about an hour since then and it hasn't happened again.

Has anyone else experienced this? Should I just get a new one from best buy to be safe? I don't want to have this problem down the road.

Thanks!

 

[thekev]

Has anyone else experienced this? Should I just get a new one from best buy to be safe? I don't want to have this problem down the road.

You could check for known issues first, but it would be good to track it down. Best Buy has a fairly forgiving return policy, but it is not as forgiving as Apple's. Return/exchange conditions are not identical if you buy from Apple vs. Best Buy, so you should be aware of that. The return/exchange policy is dependent on the retailer. Warranty is the same regardless.

 

[kingneptune117]

You could check for known issues first, but it would be good to track it down. Best Buy has a fairly forgiving return policy, but it is not as forgiving as Apple's. Return/exchange conditions are not identical if you buy from Apple vs. Best Buy, so you should be aware of that. The return/exchange policy is dependent on the retailer. Warranty is the same regardless.

Yeah, I made sure to ask about that. I have 15 days to return it. I asked if that includes manufacturers defects, and he said yes.

 

[thekev]

Yeah, I made sure to ask about that. I have 15 days to return it. I asked if that includes manufacturers defects, and he said yes.

That is good. I have no idea whether you should return it though. A screen can look black if it goes to sleep or a portion of it can if it isn't being redrawn in the back buffer, yet I don't know how to track the root cause of that. Blah I wish I could add something more helpful.

 

[kingneptune117]

That is good. I have no idea whether you should return it though. A screen can look black if it goes to sleep or a portion of it can if it isn't being redrawn in the back buffer, yet I don't know how to track the root cause of that. Blah I wish I could add something more helpful.

Yeah, everything else is perfect. It hasn't happened since I reported it on here. I'm not sure...

 

[bobr1952]

Not sure how much configuration you have done to your rMBP but this has happened to me--but in my case it is because I have a hot conner--bottom right--to turn off the screen. And I have sometimes gotten into that corner by accident and it is a bit unexpected when the screen goes blank. If I were to leave it blank, I would need to log back in--but if I quickly hit the track pad, the screen comes back--similar to your situation. Just something to take a look at.

For reference, Hot Corners are in System Preferences, Mission Control (bottom left of that menu)

 

[thundersteele]

The precision construction of the MacBook Pro prevents any type of key to screen contact.

Well that is not true. Some pressure on the lid, e.g. from carrying it in a messenger bag, is enough to leave nice key prints on the screen.

I have a 13'' now, and maybe it won't happen on this machine because of the smaller form factor, but on both my 15'' unibody and my 17'' non-unibody I had the keys on the screen.
I think it is easy to prevent this if you use a case and a carrying method that avoids pressure on the laptop. But I couldn't be bothered... easy access is more important

 

[Altemose]

Well that is not true. Some pressure on the lid, e.g. from carrying it in a messenger bag, is enough to leave nice key prints on the screen.

I have a 13'' now, and maybe it won't happen on this machine because of the smaller form factor, but on both my 15'' unibody and my 17'' non-unibody I had the keys on the screen.
I think it is easy to prevent this if you use a case and a carrying method that avoids pressure on the laptop. But I couldn't be bothered... easy access is more important

I have the 13" so that is what I was basing my statement on. I do however keep it in a Speck case a majority of the time.

 

[Robisan]

A few things about the warranty comments in this thread:

Be aware that if you need repair at Best Buy beyond the capability of the local geek squad they're going to ship your laptop to a service center and you may be without it for up to several weeks. Frankly, I'd trust Apple's repair people more for their products.

If you choose to buy Applecare, look around on the Internet for cheaper prices. Places like B&H will have AC for less than buying it from Apple.

One other option to consider is selling your rMBP after one year and use your proceeds plus what you would spend on AC to buy a new, then-current-model rMBP that comes with a new 1-year warranty. Lather, rinse, repeat.

 

[Apple_Robert]

A few things about the warranty comments in this thread:

Be aware that if you need repair at Best Buy beyond the capability of the local geek squad they're going to ship your laptop to a service center and you may be without it for up to several weeks. Frankly, I'd trust Apple's repair people more for their products.

If you choose to buy Applecare, look around on the Internet for cheaper prices. Places like B&H will have AC for less than buying it from Apple.

One other option to consider is selling your rMBP after one year and use your proceeds plus what you would spend on AC to buy a new, then-current-model rMBP that comes with a new 1-year warranty. Lather, rinse, repeat.

The option you mentioned (which a lot on here seem to do) amounts to having an unofficial Apple subscription, as one is using a service and losing money at the same time. Spending money to lose more money doesn't seem practical to me. But, many here like selling their aluminum stock on a yearly basis no matter what.

 

[Robisan]

The option you mentioned (which a lot on here seem to do) amounts to having an unofficial Apple subscription, as one is using a service and losing money at the same time. Spending money to lose more money doesn't seem practical to me. But, many here like selling their aluminum stock on a yearly basis no matter what.

Honestly, I have no idea what you're saying here. At the end of year one there are two choices:

1) Buy Applecare. Keep current hardware and get two years of repair insurance. Total: 3 years of ownership.

2) Sell and buy new rMBP. Get brand new hardware and one year of repair insurance. Repeat at end of year two. Total: 3 years of ownership

Assuming option 2 has no (or a nominal) additional cost to option 1 after year one, the only difference is that for option 2 after year two you're out-of-pocket the cost +/- of AC again. In short, over three years the extra out-of-pocket cost of getting a new rMBP every year (option 2) is only ~$2-300 more than keeping the original rMBP and buying AC (option 1).

However, at the end of year three, option 1 leaves you with a three year old computer, worth at least $2-300 less than Option 2, which leaves you with a one year old computer. So really, over three years the total cost of ownership is essentially the same -- at most it's nominal difference.