Hi, I've had my mid 2011 Mac mini since January 2012 and wondering whether it's worth buying Applecare for it? I've had ZERO problems with my Mac mini and can't justify buying Applecare for it.
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Mac mini Applecare?
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jayducharme
macrumors 601
I don't buy AppleCare for an "extended warranty." I buy it for the three years of unlimited tech support. If I ever have any questions about or problems with a product, I get excellent help. Occasionally, AppleCare has paid off as a 3-year warranty. That's a bonus, IMO. I see it as paying for great tech support.
I've used macs since the 80s. Never bought Applecare and never once needed it. Nothing ever died/failed in less than 6 years.
philipma1957
macrumors 604
applecare helps resale value. if you plan on selling the mini at age of 20 to 25 months it would still have a warranty.
As a long time buyer seller modder user of minis .
If I sell a used mini with applecare or with time to get applecare It gets a better price.
As a long time buyer seller modder user of minis .
If I sell a used mini with applecare or with time to get applecare It gets a better price.
I'd buy it. You could have motherboard failure in next two years (it doesnt happen much but there is a possibility), so what makes sense - 100 or so bucks, or 300+ for replacement?
This warranty also covers HDD failures and they happen to everyone. Dont be cheap,you will also get a greater resale value if you decide it to sell it and buy new model (I know people who buy new Macs with every generation and selling the old ones with Apple Care, the new hardware costs them only few bucks that way).
This warranty also covers HDD failures and they happen to everyone. Dont be cheap,you will also get a greater resale value if you decide it to sell it and buy new model (I know people who buy new Macs with every generation and selling the old ones with Apple Care, the new hardware costs them only few bucks that way).
I always buy AppleCare but when it comes to the base model MacMini I'm still on the fence about it. I don't need telephone tech support so the value is in the extended warranty. With the base model being only $599 I'm not so sure that the AppleCare warranty pencils-out for me.
Fortunately I will have a year to decide after I get a Mini...
If you decide to buy I recommend the L.A. Computer Company. It consistently has the best mail order prices; sometimes it beats the Apple educational discount price by a few bucks. Otherwise its prices are the same as Apple's educational discounts.
Avoid eBay unless you want to take a chance on being scammed. Sellers who e-mail AppleCare serial numbers resell the same numbers over and over; only the first person to register the number is covered. Apple's online registration process accepts serial numbers even if they have been entered into the system previously. You won't find out that the registration is invalid until you attempt to use it. By that time it is typically too late to obtain a refund via PayPal or your credit card.
Counterfeit AppleCare boxes are also common on eBay. If the deal seems too good to be true it probably is. AppleCare should only be purchased from authorized Apple resellers.
Fortunately I will have a year to decide after I get a Mini...
If you decide to buy I recommend the L.A. Computer Company. It consistently has the best mail order prices; sometimes it beats the Apple educational discount price by a few bucks. Otherwise its prices are the same as Apple's educational discounts.
Avoid eBay unless you want to take a chance on being scammed. Sellers who e-mail AppleCare serial numbers resell the same numbers over and over; only the first person to register the number is covered. Apple's online registration process accepts serial numbers even if they have been entered into the system previously. You won't find out that the registration is invalid until you attempt to use it. By that time it is typically too late to obtain a refund via PayPal or your credit card.
Counterfeit AppleCare boxes are also common on eBay. If the deal seems too good to be true it probably is. AppleCare should only be purchased from authorized Apple resellers.
GGJstudios
macrumors Westmere
AppleCare
AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac or Apple Display
- You can buy AppleCare any time during the first year warranty period, so you don't have to buy it at time of purchase.
- You can check your remaining warranty and/or AppleCare coverage here
- AppleCare will extend the 1 year warranty for an additional 2 years, for a total of 3 years coverage from the date of your Mac purchase.
It also extends telephone support from 90 days, which is included with your original warranty, to a total of 3 years. - You cannot buy AppleCare again or renew it once it expires.
- Neither the Apple Warranty nor AppleCare will cover damage from accidents, spills, etc. They only cover manufacturing defects.
- AppleCare+ provides some coverage for accidental damage, but is only available for the iPad and iPhone, not for Apple computers.
- Neither the Apple Warranty nor AppleCare will cover batteries that have worn out. They only cover defective batteries.
- For more detailed questions, read the AppleCare Protection Plan (pdf) agreement.
As to whether AppleCare is worth it or not, that's a matter of opinion. You'll find lots of opinions on both sides, with roughly 75% saying it's worth it. You really need to decide if it's worth it to you. If you want more information, you can search the forum, where you'll find dozens, if not hundreds of threads asking "is AppleCare worth it?" The overall consensus seems to be about 75% in favor of it.
With my MacMini 2011 with AppleCare, I went by the old saying..
"I rather have it and not need it, than need it, and not have it" Of course I can afford such sometimes wasteful warranties 😉
"I rather have it and not need it, than need it, and not have it" Of course I can afford such sometimes wasteful warranties 😉
I was just thinking about the same thing. 149.00 compared to a 400.00+ logic board is well worth it. Plus, I waste more money in three years (two for extended) than the cost of the extended AC.
Good insurance to have.
AppleCare Protection Plan - Absolutely!!
AppleCare is absolutely worth the price at $69 - and yes it gives you an extension on your 1yr LTD Apple Warranty....but Only from the original date of purchase. There is some confusion on the "total coverage time" with APP customers....just take the exact number of days left under your warranty coverage and add a year to it.
AppleCare also includes added benefits like battery replacement and support...without APP, the cost to replace the battery is $80 ... So there alone is one value in having the AppleCare Protection plan.
Apple provides excellent tech support and if you experience accidental damage or smash your phone, you are actually covered if you have signed up for the Applecare plan. That technical support is free and Apple makes sure you are happy is reason enough to pay that little bit - for up to 2 years warranty....It's absolutely worth it for anyone spending the amount of money for Apple products.
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I forgot to make it clear that price for the AppleCare Coverage is $69 for iPhone, $59 for iPod ....and $79 for iPad.
AppleCare+ is a little different, but gives you exceptional coverage...has to be purchased within 30 days from the date you purchase your iOS device.
Can't remember the prices for Mac, etc....😱
AppleCare is absolutely worth the price at $69 - and yes it gives you an extension on your 1yr LTD Apple Warranty....but Only from the original date of purchase. There is some confusion on the "total coverage time" with APP customers....just take the exact number of days left under your warranty coverage and add a year to it.
AppleCare also includes added benefits like battery replacement and support...without APP, the cost to replace the battery is $80 ... So there alone is one value in having the AppleCare Protection plan.
Apple provides excellent tech support and if you experience accidental damage or smash your phone, you are actually covered if you have signed up for the Applecare plan. That technical support is free and Apple makes sure you are happy is reason enough to pay that little bit - for up to 2 years warranty....It's absolutely worth it for anyone spending the amount of money for Apple products.
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I forgot to make it clear that price for the AppleCare Coverage is $69 for iPhone, $59 for iPod ....and $79 for iPad.
AppleCare+ is a little different, but gives you exceptional coverage...has to be purchased within 30 days from the date you purchase your iOS device.
Can't remember the prices for Mac, etc....😱
Last edited:
GGJstudios
macrumors Westmere
None of your post applies here, as this thread is about AppleCare for the Mac mini, which is different in pricing and coverage than AppleCare for iPhones/iPads/iPods. AppleCare+ is not available for Mac computers.