My Thoughts on AppleCare

Why should you buy AppleCare? Sure, it can be pricey, between $169 and $349, but it is worth it. It extends your warranty from one year to three years and your phone support from 90 days to three years.

In August 2005, I bought my PowerBook G4 12’’. I purchased AppleCare with it. As I’m sure you know, had I not purchased AppleCare, the warranty would have expired in August 2006.

In November 2006, my power adapter tore. It was probably because I always had it bent in the same place. I took my computer to the store where I had bought it and got a new adapter, the same day. A power adapter costs $79, without AppleCare.

In April 2007, my keyboard and trackpad suddenly stopped working. I was 1500 miles from where I bought my computer eighteen months before, but I just borrowed a friend’s computer to look up a local repair store and took it in to be fixed. I also could have called 1-800-APL-CARE to locate a service provider. The keyboard probably would have cost about $130 and one hour labor to install it, likely somewhere between $75 & $100, without AppleCare.

In May 2008, my power adapter cord tore again. In the same spot, okay, probably my fault, but I thought I’d try to get the most out of my soon expiring AppleCare. I took the broken cord and my computer down the Apple Store at the Plaza and walked away 10 minutes later with a new power cord. Another $79 I didn’t spent.

In August 2008, I was visiting some family who didn’t have wireless internet. I plugged my computer in via ethernet and got no connection. I discovered if I tilted the machine just right, I could get a connection. Sure, it was usable, but annoying and I had about two weeks left on my AppleCare. I took it to what was then the Best Macs Store and had it fixed within a couple days, at no cost to me. This repair would have been over $1000, $800+ for the part and over $200 for the labor.

The repair costs savings isn’t the only benefit. My mom, who is not the most computer savvy, has AppleCare. She know she can always call me when she has a question, but sometimes I’m busy, and she will call AppleCare. You might be stuck on hold for a couple minutes, but they can walk you through basic trouble shooting or even a question you have.

AppleCare will not cover the repair if you “accidently damage” your computer, meaning a liquid spill, drop it, etc. I think we’ve all had a “whoops!” at some point and I can tell you, having worked in a service provider, that if the damage isn’t noticeable to the technician and you don’t disclose it when you drop it off, it will still be covered. If you drop it and it makes a tiny dent, but the computer runs fine for another six months, your hard drive repair will likely be covered. I have known AppleCare to cover damage from a power surge, but that is not policy and I think it depends on persistence of the customer and the store that you are working with.

While I do think that Apple computers are very reliable and I have known many Apple users to go years without any issues, I think AppleCare is a necessity for your computer. There are Apple Stores and service providers you can go to all over the world, if you have an issue and you can also call in for technical support at no cost to you. Apple generally values their AppleCare customers and prioritizes their repairs.

In case my testimony isn’t enough, Consumer Reports, who typically discourages purchasing an extended warranty, recommends purchasing AppleCare. Here is an article from Consumer Reports, which compares various extended warranties.

As stated above, AppleCare ranges from $169-$349, depending on the computer. AppleCare is also available for iPhones and iPods. It extends your warranty from one year to three years and your phone support from 90 days to three years. You must purchase it within one year of purchasing your computer.

AppleCare is available for all of the models of computers, as well as iPhones and iPods. You must purchase it within one year of purchasing your computer.

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