Filed under: Desktops, Hardware, Features, Apple
To buy AppleCare or not?
Most people are split on the decision to buy an extended warranty on their electronic devices. Some think it's the best "accessory" that you can buy for your gear, while others think it's a total waste of money. Speaking from my personal experience with AppleCare support -- it has been a worthwhile investment.While I have never experienced a major problem with any of my Macs, iPod, or iPhone, AppleCare has definitely been there to solve those minor glitches. Case in point: this weekend my Mighty Mouse's scroll wheel stopped working (this is the 3rd Mighty Mouse in less than one year). I simply called Apple's support and told them what was going on. "My Mighty Mouse stopped scrolling," I said. The Apple representative gave me some simple troubleshooting tips to make sure that my computer wasn't doing anything strange. I was asked to check the scroll speed and then they asked me to reset the PRAM (I don't really understand that one, but OK). After that, the representative said that my mouse was, in fact, defective (no duh), took my address and said they would have a new one out to me in "5 to 7 business days."
That was on Saturday. On Monday I got a knock on the door from a DHL delivery guy with a box in his hand -- you guessed it, Apple overnighted me a wireless Mighty Mouse! The cost to overnight the package: $70. This is just one example of AppleCare's good service.
AppleCare is offered for pretty much every product that Apple makes. AppleCare is generally considered a better idea when you purchase a Mac notebook, as these are more likely to get toted around and abused more than a desktop system. This is also why the notebook AppleCare plans cost more. Not only do you get support for your Mac, but you also get support for some Apple accessories that you connect -- such as a mouse, keyboard, Airport base station, and the new Time Capsule. You also get support for new operating systems or software (such as iLife, iWork, Aperture, etc.) that you might install down the road. Note that if you bought a MacBook Air SuperDrive with your MacBook Air, AppleCare will also cover it. Below is some common questions about AppleCare.
How long does AppleCare last? Generally speaking, AppleCare is a 3-year service plan.
Do I have to buy AppleCare when I purchase my device? This is something that most people don't know. You can wait up to one year from the date of purchase to buy AppleCare. You'll get the same 3-year plan as if you bought it when you first purchased your device.
Does it only include a warranty? No, in fact, if you buy AppleCare for your Mac, you also get a copy of Tech Tools Deluxe from Micromat. You also get an extension of the usual 90 days of phone support to the full three year period.
What is my Apple manufacturers warranty? The standard 1 year warranty that Apple gives you includes your 90 days of phone support and one year of hardware repair coverage. When you purchase AppleCare, Apple extends both phone support and hardware coverage to three years.
What do you think about AppleCare? Had a good experience, bad experience? Tell your stories about it in the comments.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Matt said 8:08AM on 3-06-2008
So did you how ProCare on your mighty mouse, or just for your Mac in general?
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Christo said 8:28AM on 3-06-2008
Yes, I'm curious about this too. My right-click stopped functioning on my Wireless Mighty Mouse. I took it in to the Apple Store and was told that they couldn't do anything without the receipt for the mouse. They said the serial of the mouse didn't mean anything. I keep my AppleCare paperwork for my MacBook, but I'm not good at keeping receipts :(
jus10 said 8:47AM on 3-06-2008
Christo,
That's why I always have them e-mail me the reciept. I just did a search through the great voids of my gmail inbox and my recipt for my Macbook is there, and my Touch, and my AppleTV.
And just about everything I purchased from iTunes, a mini-dvi to dvi adapter, screen protector for the Touch. I've really given them a ton of money ... sheesh.
Brendan West said 9:17AM on 3-06-2008
Well Christo, a mouse is sold with an iMac or Mac Pro, which I'm guessing is what Cory had. As an accessory, I'm betting Apple won't cover the mouse for laptop users. But they will cover things like the power brick, remote (if your lappy came with one) and video adapter.
drewberto said 10:14AM on 3-06-2008
Christo if you paid with a credit card, then you are in the system and one of the store managers can look up the transaction for you. Also if the mouse is less than a year old is covered under warranty.
mrchin said 9:32AM on 3-06-2008
To the blogger, your mouse is possibly not breaking. Even though it's being replaced, I've found that the scroll wheel get dirty from hand oils and dust. Just take an alcohol wipe to the wheel, holding the mouse upside down. Just massage it for about a minute in all directions. Don't depress the butotn all the way. Then take a dry non linty wipe for another minute to dry it. You'll be amazed at the newly working mouse.
gozer said 9:53AM on 3-06-2008
AppleCare covers any accessories you purchase for the computer within the three years that don't have AppleCare themselves.
So if you buy a machine and APP and then buy a mouse 2 years later, it's covered for the balance of the APP.
Doesn't work with displays or iPods because you can purchase APP for them separately.
zsteiner said 8:17AM on 3-06-2008
My battery for my year and a half old MacBook starting rapidly losing juice. I was going to replace it, but called Apple on a lark. They replaced the battery with that same overnight shipping. I was dumbfounded by the service I got under AppleCare.
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koschate said 8:30AM on 3-06-2008
I had the same battery issue as zsteiner the other day, although my MBP is less than a year old. I called Applecare on Wednesday evening at 19:00. Thursday afternoon at 17:00, there was DHL with a shiny new battery.
matthew said 8:18AM on 3-06-2008
I had a lot of problems with my 4G iPod. I had AppleCare on it and they replaced it immediately in store, no questions asked, twice over the course of 3 years when the hard drive died in both my first and second one. After that experience I've bought AppleCare on all of my iPods, Macs and my iPhone since. I think it's definitely a great deal.
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Andrew Mac said 6:50AM on 3-07-2008
I purchase AppleCare with all my Macs. I don't like spending extra money up front, but I love the 3 years of peace of mind.
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tommi said 8:29AM on 3-06-2008
Had a problem with the earphones on my iPod touch (the left one didn't work). Called Apple Support on Wednesday and I was told that they'll ship me new ones and that it will take 3-4 weeks. I live in Finland so I am used to this, usually parts are shipped to us from somewhere in Europe.
Got my new headset via DHL the next day 4pm. Amazing, just amazing.
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adrenalin said 8:28AM on 3-06-2008
I have always purchased AppleCare for my products. I just received my new MacBook Pro and will be shelling out $399+tax for the AppleCare warranty. I know, it is expensive but still cheaper than replacing the screen if it should fail in less than 3 years.
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Ed said 9:38AM on 3-06-2008
You can buy it from places like LA Computer Co. for about $225 + s/h. Just FYI.
Thadd said 8:29AM on 3-06-2008
We'll never buy a Mac without AppleCare. After my wife's 18-month old MacBook started acting up, we took it in and they replaced the logic board (a $1100 repair). The problem resurfaced two weeks later and we took it back to the Genius Bar. We left the Apple Store with a brand spanking new MacBook, upgraded processor and all.
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Marcos said 8:31AM on 3-06-2008
My Pismo Powerbook G3 (also the most expensive computer I've ever bought) died an untimely death when it was about a year and a half old. Fried motherboard. I did not have AppleCare. The machine was still great and had a lot of time left.
Ever since, I've gotten AppleCare for my laptops (I did not buy for my Mac mini - I figure since I never physically move it and it's not so expensive to begin with I can take my chances).
I've used it on some of the machines, and now I always recommend people get it.
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Lars said 8:30AM on 3-06-2008
For all intents and purposes, AppleCare is an intangible product. For my iMac it's 169 dollars (111 euro) in the US, but I pay 209 euros (317 dollars) for it overhere.
Online there are even better deals to be found, but Apple won't honor those and most companies won't even sell it to non-US citizens. So much for globalization.
With consumer laws being as they are - I personally think buying it in the first year is not necessary.
I had a Power Mac that was, frankly, a piece of sh*t and it tooks months to be set right (a refund). I found Apple support to be very unforthcoming to help you without AppleCare.
I expected to get stellar support in the first year - or even the first months, since my Power Mac broke after only three months.
Still - with AppleCare being priced as it is, you pay the first year anyway and might as well get it straight away.
After my first year was up on my iMac (first gen Intel) I did buy AppleCare but I still feel f4x0r3d for having to.
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jus10 said 8:31AM on 3-06-2008
I think the decision depends a lot on how much you value the product and can you do without it and what does the upgrade curve look on it.
I have AppleCare on my Macbook. I intend to run that guy until the 3 years is up before my next upgrade. I will probably buy it for my AppleTV (its only $36 at CircuitCity) but I don't think I'm going to get it on my iPod Touch (the upgrade curve is just to steep ... ie, I will probably get a bigger/iPhone in another year if the Touch blew up).
Just some notes: AppleCare on ipods and AppleTVs are 2 years I believe. Also, I heard a very good argument for not buying your AppleCare when you buy the machine. If you drop your MB, iPod, whatever and it explodes then buying the AppleCare on it was a waste. The argument was to buy the AppleCare when the product was 10-11 months old assuming you have buggered it up.
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jus10 said 8:35AM on 3-06-2008
Make that "have not buggered it up". Sorry, it is still morning :)
Editing posts would be a great feature ...
BobbyW said 8:45AM on 3-06-2008
That's a really good point. Add the time value of money and why would you ever buy Applecare at purchase time?