To buy AppleCare or not?

Applecare eentually replaced my iBook G3 with an iBook G4 after multiple logic board replacements.

However, I didn't buy Applecare until after the iBook started having problems.

Here is my own personal APPLECARE HORROR STORY:

I am a huge Apple fan. My iBook is my baby. Unfortunately, when said baby needed a speaker repair (covered under AppleCare), I made the (apparent) mistake of taking it in under warranty. I gave it to Apple, everything seems to be going well, they will ship it back to me when everything is fixed, yadda yadda yadda.....but then I receive a phone call. The speakers are in fact not working because of "liquid damage" to the logic board and/or other internal components. Yeah right - I don't drink or eat around my computer. Like I said, its my baby. BUT - they refuse to fix it anyway. Keep in mind that the bottom line is that I give them a working computer (save the speakers), and I get back a dead one. And its MY fault. How is it possible that the ostensible liquid damage did the most damage while it was under the care of the Apple technicians, and NOT while I had it?

Suggestions/comments, anyone?

Thanks.

never buy a computer for that matter without some kind of care. it might seem insignificate while you buy it, thinking....0o0o0oo0 it new....but after 18 months of everyday use...you'd be surprised what could happen..
speaking from personal experience

http://hacktheiphoneitouch.blogspot.com

My PowerBook G4 was 15 days away from the expiration of my AppleCare protection when the hard drive and fans started making scary noises. Apple replaced the drive and fans and paid to ship my PowerBook to my door. I'm feeling good about getting another couple years from my PowerBook.

The extended phone support is not big deal for me (on most days), but it has saved my relationship with my mom. After I bought her a Mac Mini with AppleCare, I gave her the AppleCare phone number, and now she calls them instead of me when she can't remember how to check her email or when she can't figure out a feature of iPhoto. They'll explain just about anything about any Apple software.

AppleCare is well worth the money.

My almost 3 year old Powerbook Titianium broke down, and it was in repair for 4 weeks. I called Apple and they said the parts were not yet available. Then they transferred me and I was offred a new Alu Powerbook as a replacement. So my AppleCare really paid off.

(Too bad the MacBook Pro was announced 6 weeks after that...)

I'm not sure if it has been mentioned since I didn't read all of the comments, but I find one great thing some people don't know about AppleCare is that it's transferrable. If you sell the computer the warranty follows it.

I got AppleCare on my iMac just before the warranty expired. I've had the optical drive replaced a couple times and the part alone was about $80 on eBay. I only paid $120 for the warranty with my student discount. I'm happy. I just wish they had more geniuses at the store, it tends to be a decent wait at times.

I have the AppleCare plan with my MacBook Pro and it has already paid for itself. I do have the bonus of being a student which drops the cost for it drastically from $350 (yeah, I shuddered when they told me the cost) to $240 (still... ouch, but much more palatable).

I've had my MacBook Pro for 11 months now, and I am on my second power adapter (newer, smaller revision) and my second battery. I am about to get my SuperDrive replaced (I told the genius it was a tad noisy, and he marked me down for a replacement).

I've yet to have a warranty that truly justifies itself to the degree that AppleCare has. I'm not even a third the way through the warranty period and it's already been worth it to me.

Where do I get the free Techtool Deluxe software that supposedly came with my AppleCare?

I get AppleCare on my computers only, but it's paid for itself many times over. I have a old Dual G5 PowerMac that has had fan replacements, including the one on video card, which the card had to be replaced since the fan isn't user replaceable. That alone was twice the price of the initial AC cost. I plan on keeping this machine as long as I can, so I will definitely have gotten my money's worth. Apple's always good to deal with, I think having AC helps, even if you're within the normal warranty. They never question my problem and are always quick to resolve it.

Can those of you who have bought legit Applecare or Procare from an eBay seller post the name of the seller?