Hi everyone!
I recently converted from the Surface Book 2 15 inch model to the MacBook Pro 15 Inch with Touch Bar. I am wondering, from your experience with the MacBook series, if AppleCare+ is a necessary for newer computers and if it has saved you money or costed you more money in the long run. Thank you for your time!
TLDR: Is apple care worth it?
MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, macOS High Sierra (10.13.2)
I would strongly recommend that any owner of a laptop purchase the manufacturer's extended warranty.
In the case of Apple products, you get 3 months of free telephone support if you don't buy the extended warranty (AppleCare). Once you buy AppleCare, your telephone support with Apple continues. This is really a nonissue since you can get support here and by contacting Apple -- even if you had a device that is out of warranty.
By their nature, portable computers will encounter more issues (i.e. drops) than a desktop computer that is rarely moved. I just had the system board replaced in my MacBook Pro. My AppleCare ends on Jan. 18, 2018. Had it ended before my Mac had the problem (rebooting itself randomly), it would not have been repaired or replaced anytime soon.
Personally, I always buy AppleCare for my Mac shortly before the initial 1-year warranty ends.
Howard
AppleCare+ is like an insurance policy. It extends the warranty and user support coverage to 3 years and adds accidental damage (2 incidents). I’ve always recommended AppleCare for notebook purchases and AC+ adds accidental damage making it even more valuable. For those new to the Mac OS the extended user support alone is almost worth the price.
Notebooks get banged around more than desktops and their small size makes thermal issues more likely. Apple’s AC repair policies are amazing in what is covered and how. For example, I recently returned my 2015 MBP for a keyboard repair. Not only was the keyboard repaired but Apple replaced the entire bottom section of the computer, an IO board, and the trackpad. Far as I could tell there was nothing wrong with the IO board or pad. This isn’t the only time I’ve sent a notebook for repair and darn near gotten a totally refurbished computer in return. The keyboard repair alone made the cost of AC worth it.
Of course the downside is that I’ve never needed to have several notebooks repaired so my gamble didn’t pay off on those computers. At this point I think I’m a little behind in the game, but I’d rather be a little behind than be a lot behind and some repairs come close to the price of a new computer.
This is a long winded way of saying: worth it.
Is AppleCare+ worth it
