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My concerns are these - the pencil potentially scratching the screen (I know plastic doesn't scratch glass, but dust can, and there are numerous threads about this), generally dropping (I only use a Smart Cover) and other hardware failures.

Did you end up getting AC+ for your Pro? Have you gotten it for other iPads and not this one?

I have always purchased AC+ on all Apple devices over the years it's cost me loads, but on a few occasions I have used it.
It has more than paid for itself.
I purchased it for my 9.7 ipp and I am in the middle of a Video issue that has been escalated to top level engineer support, I have had four calls from support people at Apple so far and it's still ongoing.

So yes you should get it to in my humble opinion.
 
I purchased it for my 9.7 ipp and I am in the middle of a Video issue that has been escalated to top level engineer support, I have had four calls from support people at Apple so far and it's still ongoing.


Even if you bought your 9.7 iPP on the first day, you still have 10 months of warranty remaining - purchasing AC isn't doing anything for you on your current "issue."
 
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What I do is compare the cost of buying Apple Care and the cost of an out of warranty replacement. If the out of warranty replacement is about double the cost of Apple care or less, I don't buy it. I forget the exact amount, but with the 12.9 iPP, the out of warranty replacement fee was A LOT more than double the Apple Care, so I bought it.
 
Yes, but only if you don't use a case
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I have always purchased AC+ on all Apple devices over the years it's cost me loads, but on a few occasions I have used it.
It has more than paid for itself.
I purchased it for my 9.7 ipp and I am in the middle of a Video issue that has been escalated to top level engineer support, I have had four calls from support people at Apple so far and it's still ongoing.

So yes you should get it to in my humble opinion.

So you have apple care and you're still dealing with Apple customer service? Sounds like a waste

They should just change it no questions
 
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Okay, so thoroughly mixed results. I've never broken an iPad before but I did have to use one replacement on my iPhone 6. It's a toss up. Another reason I don't want to is that I want to (theoretically) trade my 9.7" for 12.9" and I know AC+ doesn't carry nearly $99 worth of value on the resale market...

Don't listen to the naysayers here or anywhere else. It is totally worth it in my opinion.
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If you are not keeping it for more than a year, then no, probably not worth it.

I disagree. Even if you're only going to keep it for a year it's totally worth it. I upgrade my iPhones and iPads every time a new model comes out. I find it easier to sell my current iPhone and iPad if they have AppleCare Plus because it provides peace of mind as there there is still a year of warranty plus if I haven't used the accidental damage option then the new buyer also has access to that too. I also tend to get a higher price for the device which typically always makes up for the cost of the AppleCare Plus and gives me a little extra on top.
 
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My concerns are these - the pencil potentially scratching the screen (I know plastic doesn't scratch glass, but dust can, and there are numerous threads about this), generally dropping (I only use a Smart Cover) and other hardware failures.

Did you end up getting AC+ for your Pro? Have you gotten it for other iPads and not this one?

YES, YES and YES!
 
It's the most profitable service they have - the reason is simple - expected cost is less than revenue. If a repair won't make you insolvent, take the risk that your iPad does not fail. Who knows better, you or Apple?
 
I bought it on my current Air but I don't know if I'd do it again on an iPad. My iPad does travel with me quite a bit but it's in a case and I'm pretty careful. So, IMO, it's not worth it on an iPad but I do feel it's worth it for a phone or a MacBook. That's my take on it.

Replace your Lightning cable three or four times (which I have had to do) pretty much covers the cost of AppleCare. Not getting it is foolish considering the cost of the device.
 
Replace your Lightning cable three or four times (which I have had to do) pretty much covers the cost of AppleCare.
Reminds me of the tactics used at a car dealership. When you are shopping for the car, the salesman drones on and on about how reliable, how well-made, and how long-lasting the car is. But once you're in the finance office, the other guy talks about how you need the extended warranty because the car will fall apart the day after the warranty expires. LOL

Fear is a great motivator.

Not getting it is foolish considering the cost of the device.
If people want to be wise about how they spend their money they need to look beyond just the cost of the device. The probability of needing the extended warranty should factor into it as well.
 
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Reminds me of the tactics used at a car dealership. When you are shopping for the car, the salesman drones on and on about how reliable, how well-made, and how long-lasting the car is. But once you're in the finance office, the other guy talks about how you need the extended warranty because the car will fall apart the day after the warranty expires. LOL

Fear is a great motivator.

If people want to be wise about how they spend their money they need to look beyond just the cost of the device. The probability of needing the extended warranty should factor into it as well.

The facts are, it's better to have the insurance when you need it than to not have it when you need it.
 
Don't really see the point - for me anyway. Consumer laws cover any manufacturing defects for years after purchase, and home contents insurance covers any accidents even if they occur outside the home. Can't see where AC+ is needed.
 
I don't have an AC+ for iPad and iPhone but wireless provider have an insurance for me. My 2012 rMBP already have AC+ but it was expired last Feb so have to be careful with my precious notebook.
 
It's the most profitable service they have - the reason is simple - expected cost is less than revenue. If a repair won't make you insolvent, take the risk that your iPad does not fail. Who knows better, you or Apple?

I know better.... I've had to replace every one of my iPads, thank goodness for AC+. I always tend to accidentally smash the screen or get it waterlogged by accident. Right now I'm out of my 12.9" iPad Pro because a water bottle broke and spilled over it, but no worries $49 and it'll be replaced.
 
Reminds me of the tactics used at a car dealership. When you are shopping for the car, the salesman drones on and on about how reliable, how well-made, and how long-lasting the car is. But once you're in the finance office, the other guy talks about how you need the extended warranty because the car will fall apart the day after the warranty expires. LOL

Fear is a great motivator.

I've sold warranties, consumer electronics, and I loved the half truths.

I see a lot of these come back.

Well, yeah, we're the service drop-off point, so every one sold in these parts....

I always get them, at more than a 50% discount as an employee.

And there's the magical math, it's only X% of the price, or if you use it one-time it will pay for itself, or some other nonsense.

It's really hard to get a handle on the profit/loss of extended warranties. I know that when I ran the numbers, many years ago, the costs built into the system resulted in ridiculous overhead. My guess was $1.00 back for every $5.00 put in.

It was so bad that I used to tell people, "you wouldn't give me a dollar for 75 cents, right? Well, I just made you a much better offer than you are getting on that warranty."

Anyone who says they are a great value is talking out of their butt. They may be a fair value, possibly even a good value, but there is no way any of us can know this without information that we don't have: actual repair costs (not Apple's inflated BS) and actual breakage rates. If you don't know that you can't know if you should buy one or not.
 
actual repair costs (not Apple's inflated BS) and actual breakage rates. If you don't know that you can't know if you should buy one or not.

If there is no way for consumers to repair it at "actual repair costs" what difference does it make?

Besides, the "repair cost" under AC+ is the replacement of the entire device. How do you quantify that in terms of parts and labor?
 
By the way, with all this back-and-forth, I still haven't decided :) tomorrow is the final day. Leaning towards no.... I just had it replaced under warranty, so the screen is perfect, and considering I've broken 1 of my past 8 mobile Apple products.... Should I gamble?
 
Replace your Lightning cable three or four times (which I have had to do) pretty much covers the cost of AppleCare. Not getting it is foolish considering the cost of the device.

Wait, what? I have never used AppleCare+ to replace a cable. You can do that?
 
Wait, what? I have never used AppleCare+ to replace a cable. You can do that?

Yes. I've done it many times. During the initial year you can bring in a broken lightning cable and they will just give you a brand new one. We have 6 iPhones in my family and lightning cables don't last very long even if you try to take care of them. Just make an appointment at the Apple Store and exchange it.
 
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Did you end up getting AC+ for your Pro? Have you gotten it for other iPads and not this one?

I did buy AppleCare+ when I bought my 9.7 Pro, but only because there was a Best Buy coupon for $50 off the price of AppleCare+.

Otherwise I would have simply stuck with the pretty protective glass screen protector / moko case combo.
 
Yes, definitely. I'd rather pay $49 if something were to happen to my iPad vs. $4-500.

You mean $148, right?
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If there is no way for consumers to repair it at "actual repair costs" what difference does it make?

I've had a iPad Air screen repaired before, and not through Apple, so some things can be repaired.

Anyways, this is actually an easy calculation if all you can do is replace them.

Replacement Cost * Percentage that break

If that number is greater than the price of AppleCare, plus any additional fees, then you should get it.

Of course we don't know the failure rate outside of warranty, and during AC terms, so we can't really make a good call about it.
 
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Yes. I've done it many times. During the initial year you can bring in a broken lightning cable and they will just give you a brand new one. We have 6 iPhones in my family and lightning cables don't last very long even if you try to take care of them. Just make an appointment at the Apple Store and exchange it.
Between my family, we have had over 25 Apple devices in the last 5 years and have never have had to replace a cord. We've also not ever had a reason to have been able to use Apple Care - and this is also with two kids 7 and 6. I still do purchase Apple Care for the phone, as I use a scratch only protection minimal case. But I don't purchase AC for the iPads.
 
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I've decided against it. Hopefully this thread doesn't totally jinx it. If the screen-scratching is really an issue, I'm confident Apple would replace it under the limited warranty (assuming it's within 1 year). Otherwise - I'll be extra careful :)

Thanks guys.
 
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I've decided against it. Hopefully this thread doesn't totally jinx it. If the screen-scratching is really an issue, I'm confident Apple would replace it under the limited warranty (assuming it's within 1 year). Otherwise - I'll be extra careful :)

Thanks guys.

Oh yeah screen scratching is probably covered. AC+ is mainly for insurance, useful for careless people like me ;)
 
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