Applecare for Macbook & Macbook Pro

[Phineas]

Just curious as to how many people buy Applecare either at the time of purchase or afterwards and where did you buy it from ?

[MarkFleser]

On a portable with an LCD screen, I would definitely get it. I, personally, haven't got it on any of my machines or iPods although I'm seriously thinking about getting it for my iMac. A big LCD screen is going to be really expensive to replace if it goes bad.

[divigation]

I buy mine from the Apple Store because I am surrounded by them. I purchase my AppleCare at the end of the first year. I turn around machines regularly and so I only want to have AC if I am still going to have the machine. I have never purchased it on an iPod because I have yet to keep one of my iPods for a full year. I had it on my G5, and used it a number of times. If you are one to need telephone support (which is rather useless as the telephone guys only walk you through what the online tutorials and articles do, although they can get you in for repair without a genius trying everything you already tried), then you would want it after the first 90 days. Otherwise, purchasing AC at any point in the first year of ownership has the same effect and extends the coverage in exactly the same way. Of course, if you are the forgetful type, you might want to go ahead and take care of it up front.

[Loshem]

I bought mine for my MB at the time of purchase. Good thing i did to because it had a short in it and I had to take it in, but there was no cost because of Applecare. I got mine from a Mac store in Tampa.

[houltmac]

Personally I have never bought AppleCare for any of my Macs, and they have all been notebooks. That said, I am a Mac service technician and Workshop Manager, so I really don't need to worry about it unless something dies suddenly as I service my own machine regularly. Like divignation I rarely keep a machine for much more than a year (if that), so it's not a big issue for me.

When giving the machine to friends and family at the end of it's run I generally suggest they may want to get AppleCare for it however. Notebooks are usually more prone to requiring AppleCare, but I would suggest it on any Mac; it won't be wasted.

[Yuiichi]

I bought Applecare with my MacBook, but fortunately haven't had to use it yet. As all the other people in this thread (who are not technicians :P) I would suggest you get it, just in case something _does_ go wrong. Repair can be costly, and it especially leaves a bad taste in your mouth if you just paid a lot of money for a machine (I know first hand with my PC).

You won't regret purchasing it, even for the peace of mind it brings.

[baseballboy828]

For my new iMac, I guess I'll buy it when my 1 year warranty is up. However, for a laptop, with the greater possibility of things breaking, you want AppleCare right away. If you have to come to the Apple Store for repair, the people with AppleCare go higher in priority than those with the included warranty. And, after the included warranty expires, you'll definitely need it. For iMac's and MacBook/MB Pro's, it's especially important. If a built in screen breaks, you'll dish out more than half you paid for the computer to have it replaced.

[divigation]

You do not gain preferential treatment at the Apple Store for having AppleCare. The only thing that you gain by purchasing the coverage in the first year is the addition of telephone support after the first 90 days. In order to get preferential treatment at the Apple Store, you need to pay $100/year for ProCare. There are other benefits to it, but the biggest is that you are the next in line for repairs, after all other ProCare members. But as far as AppleCare versus standard warranty during the first year, there is no additional benefit other than phone support.

[baseballboy828]

Whoops, sorry about that mistake. I meant to say that. AppleCare I believe however does give you preferential treatment for phone support. but that is not guaranteed, just from other people's personal experience.

[Phineas]

Thank you all for the reply's and opinions, I did get the applecare tonight .