Story time: Broke my rMBP and apple care is useless

[GoCubsGo]

Apple Care is good if something fails on the computer. I had my MacPro fail after the first year and Apple replaced it completely. They tried not to by replacing parts, but found they could not fix the issue and just handed me a new machine. Apple Care has its place, but it is not meant to be for user damage.

Your machine is still covered under their warranty, whatever good that may do you, because they did the repair. You don't want some dude on Youtube doing repairs because he is likely not an authorized repair tech. You want that or Apple, no one else. At least while it is still within warranty.

A place near me sells Apple Care for slightly less than Apple AND they offer this other warranty at $199 for 3 years. It covers all accidents. I do think you need to get the computer from them though if you want to add it. Homeowner's will let you schedule in your machine, in most cases with most carriers. I usually do that. I have things scheduled in such as cameras, random equipment, and computers.

 

[tubeexperience]

is OEM what apple uses, like if he uses the exact thing apple uses thats awesome

Yes. Apple does source some components from multiple sources, so the replacement parts may not be identical to the one being replace, but they are genuine parts.

If the repair is done right, it should be indistinguishable from a repair done at Apple Store/AASP.

I do use aftermarket parts, but only on those laptops that are past their warranties.

 

[maflynn]

mmhmm. Well if you're paying 400 extra for applecare you would expect the same care you're getting in an Iphone, accidental repairs.

No I wouldn't as the extended warranty clearly states that it only covers manufacturer defects.

 

[makinao]

AFAIK, if you have your computer serviced by anyone else, your Applecare will be voided.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Yes. Apple does source some components from multiple sources, so the replacement parts may not be identical to the one being replace, but they are genuine parts.

If the repair is done right, it should be indistinguishable from a repair done at Apple Store/AASP.

I do use aftermarket parts, but only on those laptops that are past their warranties.

I was just asked on Saturday if he new MacBooks(Pros) have some kind of blue dye under the screws that will indicate that a laptop was opened. Supposedly the guy had an authorized repair shop complete a repair and then the guy took it to Apple to have it looked at. Apple required the guy to show proof of repair by an authorized repair shop. Not sure if true, not even sure if the blue dye thing is true, but it sounded good. If it is true, then regardless of how good anyone is at repairing something, if Apple believes it was not done by an authorized repair shop, then they would likely consider the warranty void.

For the price of these machines, depending upon the repair, I would probably not chance it.

 

[hallux]

I was just asked on Saturday if he new MacBooks(Pros) have some kind of blue dye under the screws that will indicate that a laptop was opened. Supposedly the guy had an authorized repair shop complete a repair and then the guy took it to Apple to have it looked at. Apple required the guy to show proof of repair by an authorized repair shop. Not sure if true, not even sure if the blue dye thing is true, but it sounded good. If it is true, then regardless of how good anyone is at repairing something, if Apple believes it was not done by an authorized repair shop, then they would likely consider the warranty void.

For the price of these machines, depending upon the repair, I would probably not chance it.

It's not blue dye, it's blue loctite (or equivalent). As the current MBPs don't have any user-serviceable parts inside, there should be no reason for anyone but an authorized repair shop to be inside the computer. If they find that the loctite has been "broken" of course they're going to ask who opened the computer. The loctite is on at least the bottom cover screws.

 

[T5BRICK]

Supposedly the guy had an authorized repair shop complete a repair and then the guy took it to Apple to have it looked at. Apple required the guy to show proof of repair by an authorized repair shop. Not sure if true, not even sure if the blue dye thing is true, but it sounded good. If it is true, then regardless of how good anyone is at repairing something, if Apple believes it was not done by an authorized repair shop, then they would likely consider the warranty void.

If they find that the loctite has been "broken" of course they're going to ask who opened the computer.

Apple has been putting threadlocker on the screws in their laptops dating back to at least the Ti PowerBook. It isn't hasn't been used as a tamper seal at any point, and it wouldn't do a very good job if it was.

 

[CooperBox]

My first macbook I had apple care, then it died and I got a brand new one after 2 years, good deal. My second macbook had no apple care, it died after the apple care would have expired. The point of my story is apple makes terrible quality hardware that is prone to failure and or killing your loved ones in a fiery explosion.

With respect, I find your comment 'apple makes terrible quality hardware that is prone to failure' a wild and grossly exaggerated statement.
Do many fail? They do. And the failures of the early gen. iMac G5's is a classic example. This was an industry-wide capacitor problem - not just for Apple. Also some of the MacBook series due to Nvidia 8600M graphic card failures. These were also not directly attributed to Apple, but rather defects with their suppliers, which often (even with very tight quality control measures) is unfortunately virtually unavoidable in a practical sense.
As a quality-control specialist in the aerospace industry, I recall similar happenings with Boeing (their battery supplier), and also (although very rare) within Airbus with third-party equipment suppliers. All manufacturers strive hard to avoid these issues because of the potential costs involved, and huge losses with warranty issues. I believe the NVidia issue cost that company some 200 million for repair costs alone, and a staggering loss on the stock market during 2008.

These failures and some of the others that you allude to, are a small drop in the ocean compared to the multi-millions of totally serviceable products that Apple supply, and which continue to operate faultlessly. If this wasn't the case, and if they generally made "hardware that was prone to failure" the shareholders would have called it a day, and the company would be struggling for survival or even cease to exist today.
You have also conveniently overlooked the many hundreds of thousands of highly serviceable Apple PPC hardware products that are still in daily use after all these years, and still providing an enormous amount of pleasure for their owners.
The only point I will concede to you is, imho it's a shocking fact of life that Apple don't provide a 5 year, no-quibble warranty (other than for accidents or misuse) like some car manufacturers do in Europe today. It would be great for their public image, but not so good for their business model!

 

[JackieInCo]

is OEM what apple uses, like if he uses the exact thing apple uses thats awesome
[doublepost=1456083689][/doublepost]
mmhmm. Well if you're paying 400 extra for applecare you would expect the same care you're getting in an Iphone, accidental repairs. I'm just voicing my opinion and probably a lot of others. As you can see i didn't mind paying for a repair since it was my fault. But they could at least include a discount in repairs

Apple Care is an extended WARRANTY and not insurance.

 

[Natzoo]

Apple Care is an extended WARRANTY and not insurance.

i know that and after 30 posts in, its enough said. Im just voicing my opinions 400 bucks extra sounds more like a warranty/insurance like the iphone warrenty

 

[T5BRICK]

i know that and after 30 posts in, its enough said. Im just voicing my opinions 400 bucks extra sounds more like a warranty/insurance like the iphone warrenty

The cost of the product doesn't tell you ANYTHING about what it offers. Don't assume things. Instead educate yourself and next time you'll be able to make an informed decision.

In fact AppleCare+ has only existed for a few years now. This is the product that is currently available for the iPhone and iPad. Prior to that AppleCare was the only option and it only offered an extended warranty.

 

[tubeexperience]

I was just asked on Saturday if he new MacBooks(Pros) have some kind of blue dye under the screws that will indicate that a laptop was opened. Supposedly the guy had an authorized repair shop complete a repair and then the guy took it to Apple to have it looked at. Apple required the guy to show proof of repair by an authorized repair shop. Not sure if true, not even sure if the blue dye thing is true, but it sounded good. If it is true, then regardless of how good anyone is at repairing something, if Apple believes it was not done by an authorized repair shop, then they would likely consider the warranty void.

For the price of these machines, depending upon the repair, I would probably not chance it.

The blue dye is called the thread-locking fluid. It's to keep the screws from loosening and don't have to do with warranty.

Also, Apple can't void your warranty just because you've used third party repair (unless the repair was done improperly). Read here: http://blog.macsales.com/18244-owc-diys-wont-void-your-macs-warranty

It's not blue dye, it's blue loctite (or equivalent). As the current MBPs don't have any user-serviceable parts inside, there should be no reason for anyone but an authorized repair shop to be inside the computer. If they find that the loctite has been "broken" of course they're going to ask who opened the computer. The loctite is on at least the bottom cover screws.

I can assure you that the SSD can be upgraded.

Also, it's very reasonable to open up the case to clean the fans and apply new thermal paste.

 

[T5BRICK]

I can assure you that the SSD can be upgraded.

True, but no third party options currently exist. You're stuck with system pulls or whatever else it is that makes its way onto eBay.

Also, it's very reasonable to open up the case to clean the fans and apply new thermal paste.

I understand opening it up to clean it, although it's not something that needs to be done that often and I'm sure Apple would do it if asked. Applying new thermal paste is completely unnecessary.

 

[hallux]

Apple has been putting threadlocker on the screws in their laptops dating back to at least the Ti PowerBook. It isn't hasn't been used as a tamper seal at any point, and it wouldn't do a very good job if it was.

I never said it was used as a "tamper seal" previous to now. However, those older computers also had parts in them that Apple allowed users to upgrade without voiding the warranty. Opening a current MBP like what the OP owns is not encouraged by Apple, nor specifically condoned by the warranty. As a result, breaking the threadlock and not having proof of repair from an authorized service center COULD be an indicator of tampering by an unauthorized person.

That said, I don't recall seeing anything in my Apple service training that spells that out as a way to check for tampering but that's not to say the Genius didn't take it upon him/herself to make that assumption.

 

[mattopotamus]

That is why you get something like squaretrade for you mac.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

I'm curious as to who charges $400 for AppleCare on a MacBook. Apple sure doesn't.

 

[TrevorR90]

I'm curious as to who charges $400 for AppleCare on a MacBook. Apple sure doesn't.

Perhaps he has the education applecare which gives you 4 years of applecare vs the 3 at retail. Mine cost $400 and my macbook 17" still has applecare until the end of this year!