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Your Opinion on Apple Care - Should I Get It?

R

rocknpop

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2009
88
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I have a new MacBook MB403LL/A (early 2008 model) 2.4Ghz, 2gb RAM upgraded to 4GB.

My question: Would you get the AppleCare Protection Plan - Extended service agreement - parts and labor - 3 years ? It's a bit over $100 but is it worth it or are most problems fixable? And what kind of problems would this resolve? I mean, if my computer crashes... I could just simply re-install the OS right?
 
Thanks guys, but my question is geared more towards:

Can I just re-install the OS if something happens to the computer?

Unless there are quality problems with the life expectancy of the components I don't see a reason to get it?
 
rocknpop said:
Thanks guys, but my question is geared more towards:

Can I just re-install the OS if something happens to the computer?

Unless there are quality problems with the life expectancy of the components I don't see a reason to get it?
Click to expand...

It depend on what you are doing to cause the mac to have a short life expectancy. All I can say is that Mac can live longer than PC *lol*
 
rocknpop said:
Thanks guys, but my question is geared more towards:

Can I just re-install the OS if something happens to the computer?

Unless there are quality problems with the life expectancy of the components I don't see a reason to get it?
Click to expand...

If you read the threads in the link I posted, you'll find many reasons (from a hardware standpoint) to own it, along with varied opinions. AppleCare doesn't cover software, only hardware. Reinstalling the OS would correct any software issues.
 
ggjstudios said:
If you read the threads in the link I posted, you'll find many reasons (from a hardware standpoint) to own it, along with varied opinions. AppleCare doesn't cover software, only hardware. Reinstalling the OS would correct any software issues.
Click to expand...

GSMiller said:
If you live near an Apple Store, yes, but get it on eBay. Otherwise, it's a waste, believe me :p
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick replies guys... but I have to say you scare me :eek:... "it's a waste" and, "you'll find many reasons (from a hardware standpoint) to own it". I have a 7 year old P4 Dell that I have not needed any additional support... :confused:

The only reaosning I can come up with is... "it's a laptop so there is a higher potential to drop/bump/hit it and that small d/b/h will damage the parts". Of that is is all of your reasonings then I will go ahead and get it even though I will mostly use it for home recording with Pro Tools.
 
rocknpop said:
The only reaosning I can come up with is... "it's a laptop so there is a higher potential to drop/bump/hit it and that small d/b/h will damage the parts". Of that is is all of your reasonings then I will go ahead and get it even though I will mostly use it for home recording with Pro Tools.
Click to expand...

AppleCare doesn't cover accidents or physical damage.
 
You should get it. If you plan on keeping your Mac for more then a year, get it. In fact I just had to call AppleCare today and they were very helpful. It's worth the money.

Don
 
rocknpop said:
The only reaosning I can come up with is... "it's a laptop so there is a higher potential to drop/bump/hit it and that small d/b/h will damage the parts". Of that is is all of your reasonings then I will go ahead and get it even though I will mostly use it for home recording with Pro Tools.
Click to expand...

Yes. I would get AppleCare for a laptop, but I think it's a waste of money for a desktop. There is a lot that can go wrong on a laptop, it is exposed to a lot more abuse over the course of normal use, and repairs tend to be more complicated and costly. In my experience, laptops act up more, and when they do, it costs more to fix them. It's worth it.

ggjstudios said:
AppleCare doesn't cover accidents or physical damage.
Click to expand...

If you drop it, no, but it's still being handled a fair bit as opposed to a desktop which remains in one spot for months or years on end. Any computer company that considers a laptop's warranty void because it has left the house doesn't deserve to be given the time of day.
 
BlueRevolution said:
Yes. I would get AppleCare for a laptop, but I think it's a waste of money for a desktop. There is a lot that can go wrong on a laptop, it is exposed to a lot more abuse over the course of normal use, and repairs tend to be more complicated and costly. In my experience, laptops act up more, and when they do, it costs more to fix them. It's worth it.

If you drop it, no, but it's still being handled a fair bit as opposed to a desktop which remains in one spot for months or years on end. Any computer company that considers a laptop's warranty void because it has left the house doesn't deserve to be given the time of day.
Click to expand...

Thanks BlueRevolution, that answers my question. I will buy it within the next month or so.


The rest of you guys... gimme a break! I'm new :D :cool: and... I was asking a bit more of a taylor to the subject question. I know... I'm a noob right now, but wait a couple o' months and I'll be giving you recommendations!!! :D
 
No problem. In response to your earlier question:

rocknpop said:
Can I just re-install the OS if something happens to the computer?
Click to expand...

AppleCare isn't out there to protect you in the event of software problems. You can reinstall the OS to your heart's content, or we can probably help you get back on your feet without having to resort to that if you run into troubles. AppleCare is to ensure you're covered hardware-wise.
 
I think people are saying "it's a waste" if you buy it from Apple for $250 instead of buying it from an eBay source for around $100 usually a little less with the Live.com rebate.

It is definitely worth buying it for $100; even if you plan to sell it within a year, it adds more than $100 in value to selling it used (in my experience).

Once incident of a fried logic board at 366 days of age, and you could be out $750! Many potential examples, nearly all problems that happen will cost a heck of a lot more than the $100 you pay for AppleCare.

Good luck, and congrats on your MB.
 
rocknpop said:
I have a 7 year old P4 Dell that I have not needed any additional support... :confused:
Click to expand...

I have a year old compaq (circa 2002, so about 7 years old as well) thats been dropped, hit, had the HDD fall out, had something really heavy put on it (causing burns on the screen), and it still works perfectly, except for a one button missing when i accidentially knocked it off a table, and the screen (i got it like that (used and free)). the hdd fell out once, but i popped it back in and it was good as new. the only upgrade the thing has ever has was an additional 256mb of memory.

the thing still works perfectly (i use it as my desktop computer at work), as the newer macs that everyone else uses drop like flies. it seems like if you decide to buy apple, you pretty much have to expect something will go catastrophilcally wrong within the first 1-3 years.
 
Scottsdale said:
Once incident of a fried logic board at 366 days of age, and you could be out $750! Many potential examples, nearly all problems that happen will cost a heck of a lot more than the $100 you pay for AppleCare.

Good luck, and congrats on your MB.
Click to expand...

agreed. i had a faulty headphone juack on my blackbook which wasn't a huge issue until it got to the point where sound wouldn't work without speakers or headphones plugged in. figured loose wiring or connection and it would be an easy fix. i brought it in and they ended up replacing the logic board, glad i had applecare.
 
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