MacBook Pro: Extended Warranty or Not?

[Charlie]

My Mac turns one year old next month and will then be out of warranty. I’ve always eschewed extended warranties because they are a wonderful money maker for the manufactures but not such a good deal for the consumers.

If you’re a MacBook Pro owner, let me know if you have had any problems after the first year and whether you think the extended warranty is needed. Cost is about $370 and covers only 2 years.

Thanks,

Charlie

 

[Larky]

I own three Macs, have extended warranties with all of them, but have never needed to use them - Mac's are built like tanks.

At work with have some that are about 10 years old, still work!

 

[jlw]

I've bought AppleCare on all my recent Mac equipment. I've only needed to use it a couple of times -- but still say that if you can afford the AppleCare warranty, get it.

It's unlikely that you'll need it... but if you do, it will save you some stress.

The biggest advantage is not just the warranty extension, but the fact that AppleCare gives you priority on servicing. If your Mac does croak, you'll probably want it back ASAP, so expediting that process is a real plus.

 

[kaiyen]

Mac's are built like tanks.

No offense, really. But..

hahahahhahahahahah.

We have macs (and pcs) die all the time for all kinds of reasons. I just spent 2 hours today trying to figure out why the latest update to Leopard broke some of my hardware functionality of my _current_ generation MacBook Pro. After dealing with hundreds of macs and pcs, you discover that they all have their faults.

Get the warranty. Any computer. Get the warranty. IMO.

 

[M C H]

I had a Powerbook Ti which had been dropped, damaging the logic board. It was out of warranty, but I was informed that to replace the entire logic board was less than $360 - less than the cost of the warranty. That surprised me.

The real expense with any laptop (well, any laptop 12 - 18 months old) is the monitor. Replacing that can actually exceed the cost of replacing the entire unit. Mac monitors are pretty high quality, and reasonably reliable (my PB Ti did have a few dead pixels at the end, but my MBP so far doesn't).

Still, in my view the extended warranty can make financial sense if you intend on keeping the machine 3 years or more. Less than that, and you're probably safe just putting that warranty money towards a new box.

 

[Holmz]

If you’re a MacBook Pro owner, let me know if you have had any problems after the first year and whether you think the extended warranty is needed. Cost is about $370 and covers only 2 years.

Yeah my lil 12" laptop had the display go out , and I had no warranty.
I still use it at home with an external display, but was small and light.
Our later mac all have warranty - but have not been used.

If you travel much, or it is for business... Then for sure get the warranty.
Otherwise the gamble is your choice.
I would recommend an external Lacie HD to back up the computer to once in a while, if not losing everything is important to you.
Given an either or choice - I would get the external HD.
We have both (Belt and suspenders/braces).

Alternatively a good bag/case may do as much to help as anything. Most re crap with no padding at the corners.

 

[Bryce]

When I bought my macbook (August '07) I was told Applecare didn't cover the screen. So I didn't buy it!

 

[kmack]

Buy it. My Mac died 2 weeks before the 3 year Apple Care expired. Apple replaced the motherboard and memory at no cost to me, best money I ever spent.

 

[Charlie]

Thanks for the feedback. I't is a business computer but it's my business so I'm struggling with the warranty cost. Read somewhere the other day that for every 100 warranties sold, only about 15 are actually used by the consumer. I guess it's a crap shoot.

Regards,

Charlie