AppleCare for MBP: Wise Move?

[JohnT]

Before I drop $349 on two-year AppleCare Protection for my MacBook Pro, which is soon to be out of warranty, help me decide if it's a wise move.

(Please, let's not turn this into a Mac v. PC thing.)

[aerosolcheese]

I just bought applecare for mine. The warranty expired on sep. 1. Three days after I bought the warranty, the DVD drive stopped burning DVDs and CDs. I will take it in soon. For portables, I think it is a wise move. I wouldn't buy it for a desktop, since parts are more readily available and easier to install.

[RightAngle]

I have it on all of my Apple stuff and I love it. If something happens its fixed for free no questions asked...

I have replaced a lot of stuff on my MBP that I wouldn't have otherwise and just lived with but with AC you can just run in tell them whats wrong they do a test and give you a new part.

I just replaced my video card in my MacPro (actually about to go pick up the new one), and its just such a painless process when you're under their warranty. Walk in, explain, they test, order a new one.... done.

If nothing else peace of mind but personally I wouldn't not have it.

[Spec A!]

Nothing will ever be cheaper than $349 to fix on your MBP. It is alot of money for a "just in case", and of course it doesn't cover accidental damage (drops/spills), but still. Stuff goes wrong and it's not cheap to fix on Apple portables.

[JohnT]

OK, three people with very valid points. I'm off to buy. :-)

Thanks!

[mchong75]

I have one for Macbook pro, iMac and iPhone :)

[Al Buckner]

OK... I have a question. I'm looking at buying my first MBP and wondering whether to buy the 15" or 17" unit.

I've briefly played with both units at a Apple Store and could be satisfied with either one. I do like the larger screen; but the smaller unit would be easier to carry around.

Otherwise, I pretty much know what other features I want.

and from this discussion, I'm convinced to add the extra support.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Al Buckner

OK... I have a question. I'm looking at buying my first MBP and wondering whether to buy the 15" or 17" unit.

Although the 17 would be nice, the 15 suits me fine. I don't do anything major, like editing or designing, with mine anyway.

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by Al Buckner

...whether to buy the 15" or 17" unit.

As for carrying it around, if that entails air travel, I would defintely go with the 15". Otherwise, I would go with the 17".

[RightAngle]

Originally Posted by Al Buckner

OK... I have a question. I'm looking at buying my first MBP and wondering whether to buy the 15" or 17" unit.

I've briefly played with both units at a Apple Store and could be satisfied with either one. I do like the larger screen; but the smaller unit would be easier to carry around.

Otherwise, I pretty much know what other features I want.

and from this discussion, I'm convinced to add the extra support.

I would go with a 15" and stick an external monitor on it for editing.

I can say that the 15" is much much easier to find bags for and carry around, I know a few people with 17s and they often say they want the 15" for those reasons.

[Anthony Martinez]

Yes.

When I got back from Iraq, the FW800 port didn't work anymore, the Superdrive wasn't so super, and the fans sounded like they were going to fall out. Took to the Apple store, 4 days later, I got it back with a new logic board, new superdrive, and new fans.

[RightAngle]

Originally Posted by Anthony Martinez

Yes.

When I got back from Iraq, the FW800 port didn't work anymore, the Superdrive wasn't so super, and the fans sounded like they were going to fall out. Took to the Apple store, 4 days later, I got it back with a new logic board, new superdrive, and new fans.

Yeah I just went and picked up a new video card and power supply today. You cant argue with how they handle problems.