AppleCare Protection Plan

[Igotnothing]

I've been debating purchasing a macbook pro the last few days. Well, budgeting for a purchase of one anyway. I was wondering what people's opinions were on the AppleCare plans? I've heard they are must have but damn they are pricey.

[MrSector9]

I do not have one on my macbook pro, howeve rin the warrtay period i did need a new charger.

I do have the highest one available on my 27"imac however, it was $200.. 3 years hardware/software warranty sounds good to me, and it is transferrable to the next person if the unit is still valid.

Like insurance in a way, more then likely never need it, if i do, i am glad i paid a small amount to have it if something does go wrong.

[MrSector9]

I should also comment that.

With my power cord in warranty the service was amazing, went to futureshop where i bought it and got a bunch of run around nonsense, walked into apple store, showed them, walked out with new power adapter 5 minutes later. that was then the reason i bought my next at the apple store.

[sclitheroe]

Two examples of where AppleCare would have helped me, both occurring in year 2 of Macbook Pro ownership:

- Blown power management circuit, requiring logic board replacement. Non-Apple care cost: $600

- Intermittent ethernet port on MBP #2, again requiring logic board replacement. Non-Apple care cost: $600

On the first MBP, I decided to simply buy a replacement base MBP and move over my SSD and RAM, since I also got a fresh battery and another year of warranty at what ended up being a good price overall compared to repair.

On the second one, now that I've got a bum ethernet port, I've decided to simply live with wifi and using a USB ethernet wired adapter when required.

Edit: And stupidly, I didn't buy AppleCare on that second one Although, truth be told, I'd just as soon replace it with an Air at some point down the road anyways, so I'm not overly concerned if it dies with no warranty.

[silentsim]

An important thing to note. You have up to a year to buy AppleCare and extend your machine. It's well worth it. As long as your machine is under the original 1 year, you are eligible to extend.

[Igotnothing]

Good to know. The part about a year to get it is really helpful.

Thanks guys.

[corporatejay]

Be careful. My understanding is if you don't get it within 90 days you don't get the phone support for the full 3 years.

[silentsim]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

Be careful. My understanding is if you don't get it within 90 days you don't get the phone support for the full 3 years.

Your phone support will expire in 90 days, but when you extend it will give you the phone support for the remaining time.

[c.t.ner]

One thing to note with the Apple Care is that any water damage on a product isn't covered. I just say that, because the Apple Care package is so universally positive that many people are sadly disappointed when they come across this issue.

I haven't invested in the Apple Care package before, because I've had great experiences with all of my Apple products. I've found that most apple products are generally good enough to last the duration of the Apple Care time line. If something goes wrong it'll usually happen within the first year, which is covered under the initial warranty. Anyway, I found out about the "water" issue last week when I spilled water on my refurbished MBP. I didn't have Apple Care on my laptop, but they kept mentioning it at the store.

So just a heads up.

[CaptainCrunch]

Just make sure that you read the entire agreement before you sign it

[Igotnothing]

Funny you should mention the water issue. My 16 month old recently took advantage of a lap in my sisters judgement to poor water on the couch by her MBP. She dried it out and initially it worked but she's had no Wifi as well as a speaker dying. Now it doesn't even seem to work period. Given the lack of coverage for water damage and that Apple products seem so well built I might pass on the coverage and risk it.

Thanks again for the replies.