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.
to buy apple care or not....
- Thread starter breakfastcrew
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
bigrell486 said:Why did I not win?
just kidding
oh and Applecare for Macbooks is $249.00
Very expensive but I think worth it
If a MacBook breaks down over time, after say a year or so just due to wearing down over time, how much would it cost to send it to Apple to get it fixed?
I know it depends on what exactly goes wrong, but I have no idea about specifics, just a general guess at repairs done to laptops that eventually break down after a while?
Also, could they get evasive and un-cooperative about fixing it if you installed your own RAM which wasn't made by Apple?
I know it depends on what exactly goes wrong, but I have no idea about specifics, just a general guess at repairs done to laptops that eventually break down after a while?
Also, could they get evasive and un-cooperative about fixing it if you installed your own RAM which wasn't made by Apple?
I always buy Apple Care for laptops.breakfastcrew said:
Laptops are easily stressed even if you are careful. HDs do go bad. Heck, with my current PowerBook I've had the HD replaced twice. Almost anything mechanical can break.
I've found that Apple Care usually pays for itself in the long run.
bigrell486 said:
this is absolutely a 100% perfect post. very true.
i ask myself this question: am i ok investing serious cash to not have warranty on it???
i'd buy it. the few times i've had to use it (ipod and my dual g4), i've had new ipod/replacements parts within 3 days of sending in my request.
meanpeoplesuck said:
No, RAM on the MacBook is classed as User-Upgradeable. You can install it yourself, and be ok!
In fact, and it would be impossible to find the post, but i'm sure someone here damaged his MacBook installing RAM (which does need a little bit of force) and Apple repaired it anyway.
Rich.
I didn't get Applecare, and looking back, I'm still a bit divided on whether or not it was a good decision. It's been over a year, and my laptop doesn't have any mechanical problems (final rev PB, built like a rock) and Applecare wouldn't cover the cosmetic damage anyways. But now I'm looking to sell it, and without Applecare, my resale value isn't as great. I think that I still lean towards not having Applecare, though, because I doubt that my resale value has been hurt by the hundreds of dollars that Applecare would have cost me.
However, I agree with some of what's already been said, especially with getting Applecare on earlier rev products. And, I think that I would lean towards Applecare on higher-end models, and with products that I expect to keep for the duration of 3 years. Applecare on the 12'' PB would been exorbitant compared to the cost of the PB, but now I'm looking at a 17'' MBP, and Applecare's looking a whole lot prettier.
However, I agree with some of what's already been said, especially with getting Applecare on earlier rev products. And, I think that I would lean towards Applecare on higher-end models, and with products that I expect to keep for the duration of 3 years. Applecare on the 12'' PB would been exorbitant compared to the cost of the PB, but now I'm looking at a 17'' MBP, and Applecare's looking a whole lot prettier.
jsw said:
Actually, if you're in the UK, you can get a 5 year (parts and labour) guarantee on a Mac for about the same price as Applecare.
Buy your Mac from John Lewis and you get an automatic 2 year guarantee and buy their extended warranty, which is around the same price as UK Applecare, and it will take it to 5 years. And it's generally a whole lot easier to get JL to replace a lemon Mac than waiting for Apple to insist on trying to fix it multiple times. The only bad thing is that you can't get your edu discount or get anything BTO
dunc85 said:
Does HE stand for Higher Education? Because I am starting a one year course in media which is in a college of further education (same as a Higher Education college), and I am curious as to how the HE is different to a normal edu discount? On Apples online store I can't see anywhere to choose what type of discount I qualify for.
Edit : Gah nevermind, the UK apple store seems to offer different discounts but the Irish one doesn't, its just the standard education one.
bigrell486 said:Ok, then I'll try. I work in retail, I do this all day
Put it this way. OK you just spent $1300 on you shinny new Macbook. You promise to be careful, and take care of it in every way. Lets say one day you are moving the macbook to you living room and you accidently drop it and the screen cracks. Your out of $1300
uhhh.....no they wont!! you drop it, it's your problem....Applecare wont fix damage caused by accident
credit cards like amex double ure warranty period...
for example, apple gives a one year warranty, if purchased on amex they extend it to two years...
so unless you really want to pay for that extra year, it doesn't seem worth it if your covered for two.
for example, apple gives a one year warranty, if purchased on amex they extend it to two years...
so unless you really want to pay for that extra year, it doesn't seem worth it if your covered for two.
Khurram said:
This has been discussed before, but if you use American Express, they will extend the warranty one year past the end of the extended warranty. This is only applicable if you purchase the extended warranty from the same company that produced the computer. In this case, AppleCare fits that definition.
Three years of AppleCare plus the one for American Express. Definitely a good combination.
Also, I've always purchased AppleCare through ebay and had no problems whatsoever while saving myself a huge amount of money. (Example, Macbook for $90 and iMac for $80). Shop around and don't purchase it directly from Apple's site.
Out of curiosity, how long after you purchase a MBP can you purchase Applecare?
Edit: Just found it in the guide; 1 year. n/m
Edit: Just found it in the guide; 1 year. n/m
After reading this thread i truly believe most of you Apple customers are brainwashed. I cannot understand yet alone justify shelling a quarter of the macbook's price to get an additional "extended" limited "warranty". This is insane, and a huge ripoff by apple, basically $250 for absolutely NO cost on apples end. Why do you think their sales reps' push it so aggressively down your throat when you purchase a new machine?
When i purchased my macbook the manager none the less actually uttered this line: "what if a day after your warranty expires your laptop dies?" at that moment i was ready to just return the thing, but i replied: well if that happens, i don't think i'll be buying any more apple products.
Sorry, i do not mean to offend anyone who decided to purchase the 2 years "peace of mind" package , i just had to reply to this sheep mentality.
When i purchased my macbook the manager none the less actually uttered this line: "what if a day after your warranty expires your laptop dies?" at that moment i was ready to just return the thing, but i replied: well if that happens, i don't think i'll be buying any more apple products.
Sorry, i do not mean to offend anyone who decided to purchase the 2 years "peace of mind" package , i just had to reply to this sheep mentality.
Read this BBC Article regarding purchasing insurance for smaller items. The point of the article explains the reasoning of insurance for small items such as mobile phones etc and explains how we should really only purchase insurance for the really big risks in life (eg, Home, car etc). It's quite interesting and it prompted me to cancel the insurance I have on my mobile phone.
Saying that, I would be reluctant to purchase Applecare anymore, but with the 3 year warranty you get with UK Higher Education purchases, its a win-win for me.
Saying that, I would be reluctant to purchase Applecare anymore, but with the 3 year warranty you get with UK Higher Education purchases, its a win-win for me.
30secs said:
Sorry, but if you actually had read the thread and understood it completely, you would have realized that there are some of us who have purchased AppleCare at significantly reduced prices. This is great for resale value for those of us who use the machine for a year and sell it to upgrade or for those who intend to keep the machine and use it on a daily basis. In my case, I ended up with AppleCare for my Macbook at a price of around $90 USD which extended the warranty to 4 years since it was used in conjunction with an American Express card. Do some research before coming to conclusions or any hasty generalizations. This is applicable not only in this case, but any you may find yourself in out in the world. It'll make sure you make the best decisions while at the same time not coming off like a complete idiot. Good day!
coal said:
$90 for an extended total of 4 years Appleare is not what I was referring to in my post but the stock care package offered by Apple's retail. The latter is TWO extended years for $250.
Your narcissistic additude and personal bashing approach only adds to your already questionable character. No one cares about your American express deal. Show me a non promotional retail applecare package for $90 and then talk. Idiot.
cLin said:
it's a two year extension to the original warranty......so that's a total of three years from the day you purchased it (edit: "it" being the computer, not applecare).....and yes you have a year after you bought the computer to buy, but don't go over a year or you miss your chance