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To get applecare or not too

T

tracetritt

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 10, 2007
65
0
Northwestern Wisconsin, USA
Alright, so here's my situation...

SR 2.2 MBP

Based on what I have been reading, I do indeed have a computer that has a possibility for the bad GPU. I have about 20 days until my 1st year is up. I never bought Applecare in the first place because I am a computer repair tech and fix computers all the time. I always thought that I could fix it if anything (normal) came my way. However, a GPU related problem would be a little out of my hands for the sheer price factor. Do you think that Apple would still replace/repair a computer that has the defective GPU even if it were out of warranty? Like an extension for the GPU only. Very much like the batteries a couple of years ago.

Now, I'm thinking about buying Applecare only because of the GPU scare.

What do you all think??

Tyler
 
I'd get AppleCare, if I were you. No, I doubt Apple would be willing to repair any computer that is no longer in warranty or covered by AppleCare, unless it was a mass recall.
 
good thing for me i still have months to worry about getting apple care.
knee jerk response is to get it.. right?
but aside from spilling liquids and dropping your MBP..

what else do they DON"T cover in terms of repair?
getting first hand info from people who used apple care will be greatly appreciated..
the Saddest thing would be to buy it, believe in it, only to be talked down by the geniuses about what is and what is not covered..
 
markrivers said:
good thing for me i still have months to worry about getting apple care.
knee jerk response is to get it.. right?
but aside from spilling liquids and dropping your MBP..

what else do they DON"T cover in terms of repair?
getting first hand info from people who used apple care will be greatly appreciated..
the Saddest thing would be to buy it, believe in it, only to be talked down by the geniuses about what is and what is not covered..
Click to expand...
Accidental damage, and batteries over 90 days old. :)
 
I would purchase AppleCare for the peace of mind that it offers and the coverage in the event that something does happen. I have a MacBook Pro 2.2 Ghz Santa Rosa and I have not had a single issue with it since I purchased it in January. :)
 
alphaod said:
It's like asking whether to use condoms or not. Always use protection!
Click to expand...

lol, well said. I'll be sure to take your advice and get the Apple Care ( not to mention the other worldly advice you gave;) ) , though I was really trying to avoid getting it. As another user mention the peace of mind will be very good as well.

Thank you all for your replies!:)

Tyler
 
Pixellated said:
Accidental damage, and batteries over 90 days old. :)
Click to expand...

Actually that is not true.

alphaod said:
Batteries is covered for 1 year or 300 cycles, whichever comes first.
Click to expand...

That is true but not the whole story.

Depleted batteries, meaning they aren't holding a charge as long as they used to but they are still accepting a charge and discharging, are covered for 1 year or 300 cycles. A battery that is faulty, meaning it is not accepting a full charge or discharging fully is covered for the entire life of the warranty.

alphaod said:
It's like asking whether to use condoms or not. Always use protection!
Click to expand...

That is totally true. :D

The answer to the original question is yes. Anyone who a) owns an Apple computer and b) plans to keep it for at least 14 months should own Apple Care. You'll make your money back and more if it needs to be repaired just once.
 
benmrii said:
Depleted batteries, meaning they aren't holding a charge as long as they used to but they are still accepting a charge and discharging, are covered for 1 year or 300 cycles. A battery that is faulty, meaning it is not accepting a full charge or discharging fully is covered for the entire life of the warranty.
Click to expand...

BATTERIES NOT COVERED
Neither the Apple Limited Warranty nor the AppleCare Protection Plan covers consumable parts such as batteries, except in the case of manufacturing defects.

Apple Limited Warranty:
This warranty does not apply:
(f) to consumable parts, such as batteries, unless damage has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship;

AppleCare Protection Plan:
b. Limitations. The Plan does not cover:
(ix) Consumable parts, such as batteries, except in respect of battery coverage under APP for iPod or unless failure has occurred due to a defect in materials and workmanship;
 
If you need tech support and hardware repairs, then yes. If you only need repairs, and that seems to be your case, I recommend checking if your credit card offers a free 1-year extension of the warranty - many do if you buy/bought the computer with the card. For VISA CC holders, there's also a "visa performance guarantee" that you can buy to extend the coverage for a total of 4 years for a good price. The VISA thing also covers battery replacement and has an explicit no lemon policy (if you need a forth repair, they replace the computer) and covers damage due to lightning. It's just as flexible in terms of where you take the computer for repair (Apple or an authorized repair center or anywhere else...)and is generally less hassle than dealing with Apple directly . Just my opinion, but it's backed up by years of experience with Applecare and VISA.
 
Far from being "absolutely worth it" AppleCare like any other extended warranty is an investment with a substantially negative rate of return. On average you will spend far more in premiums than you get in service. I've saved thousands over the years by never buying it.

That being said, AppleCare is very profitable for Apple, so as I stockholder, I urge everyone to buy it.
 
i know spending on the extended warranty is a pain after shelling out all thar dough for youe MBP. But I'll get it. It's just one of those things that you gotta have.
 
I have a question regarding this.... I'm still in the 1 Year Warranty and haven't purchased the 3 Year Apple Care.... my question is... if I purchase the 3 Year Apple Care close to my 1 Year Warranty expiration... will I get 3 additional years? or it will add only 2 Years because it counts the purchase date?
 
raquiros said:
I have a question regarding this.... I'm still in the 1 Year Warranty and haven't purchased the 3 Year Apple Care.... my question is... if I purchase the 3 Year Apple Care close to my 1 Year Warranty expiration... will I get 3 additional years? or it will add only 2 Years because it counts the purchase date?
Click to expand...

No, it will only last 2 years beyond the 1 year warranty.
 
zer0tails said:
i know spending on the extended warranty is a pain after shelling out all thar dough for youe MBP. But I'll get it. It's just one of those things that you gotta have.
Click to expand...

If you want to voluntarily donate more of your money to Apple, be my guest! As a stockholder I fully endorse this thinking.
 
For laptops, AppleCare is a must. I've used it 4 times just for my white MacBook alone: battery replaced twice, LCD panel replaced, keyboard and trackpad replaced. Only cost to me was gas.
 
benmrii said:
Depleted batteries, meaning they aren't holding a charge as long as they used to but they are still accepting a charge and discharging, are covered for 1 year or 300 cycles. A battery that is faulty, meaning it is not accepting a full charge or discharging fully is covered for the entire life of the warranty.
Click to expand...

That's not true. I have one MacBook battery that Apple is refusing to cover despite having (the 3 year) AppleCare. The genius said the only way Apple would cover it is if it was 1 year or less from purchase of battery/laptop, but it was a few months over that.

FYI my battery was not just slightly depleted, it goes from 20% -> 0% and the battery condition in system profiler was not good. He said I should get it replaced, but that I'd have to pay for it if I wanted to.
 
drewsof07 said:
No, it will only last 2 years beyond the 1 year warranty.
Click to expand...

Is there an option after the AppleCare expires? and extended Apple Care? or that's it?

Another question... does the AppleCare only covers factory defects or let's say if I want to replace my LCD because I scratched it "hypothetically:D" they won't do it right?
 
raquiros said:
Is there an option after the AppleCare expires? and extended Apple Care? or that's it?

Another question... does the AppleCare only covers factory defects or let's say if I want to replace my LCD because I scratched it "hypothetically:D" they won't do it right?
Click to expand...

Nope, after three years, the game's up. Also, you are correct. ESPECIALLY about the screen. :apple: will fight you about screen issues unless you have a problem out of the box. So don't scratch it ;)
 
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