Is AppleCare worth the money?

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I was reading the warranty and realized that it only covers manufacture defects. So if I do something to fuck up my computer, I have to pay to fix it myself. So what, exactly, is the utility of AppleCare? Anyone have any stories about AppleCare saving their lives that they'd like to share? Or should I get my money back...?

― Matthew Cohn (flightsatdusk), Saturday, 3 April 2004 21:35 (twenty-two years ago)

GET IT YOU FOOL

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Saturday, 3 April 2004 21:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't waste another minute.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Saturday, 3 April 2004 21:37 (twenty-two years ago)

most if not all warranties only cover manufacturing defects.

AppleCare is worthwhile as macs, when the y do go wrong, cost a fortune to fix.

― Ed (dali), Saturday, 3 April 2004 21:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Actually, Adaml, this was sort of prompted by your sad tale. I mean, even if you had still been under warranty, it would have done you no good, so far as I can tell.

FYI - I've already got it. Just trying to figure out if I should keep it.

This just seems like a typical insurance scam. I get a whole year to figure out whether or not all my parts work (i.e. the length of the original manufacturer's warranty). And after that...? How often do people have significant problems after that period is over? What are the chances of my having to get some sort of service done that will actually be covered by my warranty? What are the chances that I've dropped a couple hundred dollars on a service I'll never use?

― Matthew Cohen (flightsatdusk), Saturday, 3 April 2004 21:50 (twenty-two years ago)

If I could part with my laptop for long enough, I would get the necessarily repairs done (my CD drive is screwy, the latch that holds the iBook shut is broken) and it would immediately pay for the service. Also I've got one of the iBooks with logic board problems = fun!

― Casuistry (Chris P), Saturday, 3 April 2004 23:36 (twenty-two years ago)

If it's going to cover a laptop, absolutely do get AppleCare. If it's just going to sit as a desktop computer, I don't know. But you're crazy not to if you're going to be portable.

― Girolamo Savonarola, Sunday, 4 April 2004 00:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Selling my iBook this past year on eBay - which I had no warranty on - I can say that having AppleCare can nearly pay for itself increased resale value. Something to keep in mind.

Also, remember you can just have the usual warranty and then get AppleCare in a year when that runs out.

― Silas Beauford (Silas Beauford), Sunday, 4 April 2004 01:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Girolamo - please explain... Are laptops more prone to manufacturer's defects?

― Matthew Cohen (flightsatdusk), Sunday, 4 April 2004 01:44 (twenty-two years ago)

theyre more prone to be dropped on the ground.

― phil-two (phil-two), Sunday, 4 April 2004 01:45 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, but the warranty doesn't cover that. this is the whole reason for my asking this question, see.

― Matthew Cohen (flightsatdusk), Sunday, 4 April 2004 02:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, you see, that's why we're saying you must get AppleCare.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Sunday, 4 April 2004 03:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Ummm. I think I've got my answer, now (i.e. AppleCare=worthless), but to clarify: AppleCare is just an extension of the one-year warranty to a three-year warranty. Plus useless phone support. It does not change the basic coverage of the warranty, only how long it lasts. It will do me (and you) no good if you drop your computer on the ground or pour beer on it or whatever. My question, then, was why I should bother. The answer, I think, is that I shouldn't.

― Matthew Cohen (flightsatdusk), Sunday, 4 April 2004 19:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Considering extended warranties are renowned for being the biggest scam evx0r, I can't imagine Apple will be the knights in shining armour who reintroduce value for money and customer service into the equation.

(having said that, if Apple laptops are as crappy as iPods when it comes to working properly, then knock yourself out)

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 5 April 2004 08:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey dudes, is this dude right or is he just talking crazy talk? I will be buying my new Mac today or tomorrow!

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 13:39 (twenty-two years ago)

i think this is true. however, depending on where you buy your computer, they mighthave store warranties that cover more than the Apple warranty (someone mentioned that the store they bought their ipod at had an extended warranty that did cover damage caused by breaking, etc).

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 14:15 (twenty-two years ago)

I stil think that for laptops, it's probably worth it -- or at least, it's been worth it for me, consindering the number of small things I've had repaired (or will have repaired) to my iBook. But I am a bit rough on my computer.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 14:28 (twenty-two years ago)

What do you do to it, Chris?

I think I will go with Applecare, but check to see what warranty they are offering first.

Oh my god oh my god I am going to go over to the Apple Store on my lunch break and get this thing! Though I'm not too keen on the Apple Store...

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 14:55 (twenty-two years ago)

I like to slap it around.

― ...in bed. (Chris Piuma), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 15:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Actually I don't know if I'm that terrible to it, but I don't treat it as gingerly as some of my friends treat their laptops. Whether this is why I've gone through several power cords, a fistful of logic boards, one of the latches that keep the iBook closed, and my combo drive... is unclear.

― ...in bed. (Chris Piuma), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 15:04 (twenty-two years ago)

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