New MacBook, Have Questions

Hey guys!

I've been around this Apple/Mac OS X forum for a while, but I never was on a Mac until now! Actually, until Friday.

As a few of you know, I just got a MacBook on Friday. It was the prize of a web design contest open to high school students in British Columbia, Canada, and yep - you guessed it: I won! So I'm happy on my free MacBook .

I have a few questions for you guys who've used Macs much more than I have:

1) I've been looking for a nice lightweight, non-bulky yet protective messenger bag for my new MacBook. I've been interested in this bag, the Marware Sportfolio, mainly because of its sleek design and good price. Has anyone used this bag, or have any thoughts on it?

2) A question I've been debating for quite a while: should I get AppleCare? I'm a little confused on just what AppleCare covers...does it cover the MacBook battery? How about the hard drive? What if a key is loose? What of the mouse button doesn't work anymore?

3) This question is kind of tied with the second question: I have no idea how long I'll be using this MacBook (as in I might replace it in a year or two), so do you think its worth it to purchase AppleCare if I may only keep the MacBook for a year and a half or so?

Thanks guys!

 

1. I use a WaterField sleeve by SFbags.com. You can add a shoulder strap to make it into a messenger-like bag.

2. You have 1 year before the standard warranty expires to make your decision whether or not to buy AppleCare. As far as I know, AppleCare is just the standard warranty, meaning it will cover pretty much everything including battery, HDD, defects, etc.

3. AppleCare follows the Macbook, not the original buyer. The value of your MB will likely be higher and it will make your MB more attractive to potential buyers. I would get it especially with a student discount.

 

I used to own a Powerbook G4, which was recently stolen (sorry, Applecare doesn't cover theft- thank goodness insurance does!). I purchased my first G4 3 years ago, and since then Applecare has gotten me:

-2 new hard drives from failed drives
-1 replacement set of ram
-1 Completely new Powerbook (which was an upgrade from the 1ghz model to the 1.6ghz model) because they couldn't fix my computer even after replacing the logic board

I wouldn't buy another Apple without getting Applecare. That $300 saved me so much money its almost highway robbery against Apple!

Note: Applecare won't cover your battery or your power cord. Those items you have to pay for yourself if they fail, unless there is a recall (thanks Sony)

 

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions!

To sp00n, I can't seem to find the Waterfield bag through the SFBags.com website. Would you happen to have a direct link to it?

To cptnhelm, its very comforting to know how responsible Apple is . Hmmm, it doesn't cover the power cord? Well, I've heard many cases of the MagSafe power cord fraying at the magnetic tip. If my cord does fray, will AppleCare cover that?

Also, so AppleCare doesn't cover the battery. How about if its battery wear is ridiculous? Like 30% wear in the first two months, would Apple at least look into that issue?

 

http://www.sfbags.com/products/sleevecases/sleevecases.htm

Just add the shoulder strap for $12.

Here are some pics of the bag:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=macbook+waterfield&m=text

 

Unless there is a recall on the magsafe power adapters I don't think they would cover it. Its trivial to pay the $120 for a new one though in comparison to the $500-$1000 it might cost you in logic board replacements- you are still only out $420 after $300 in Applecare.

Just like with Ipods, Apple won't cover the battery in their laptops. It is that way with most manufacturers. Unless they offer something specific for battery replacement (Dell does I think) then they won't cover the battery. That's another $100 or so to replace if I remember right.. But still, Applecare covers everything else- the battery failing wont result in a data loss, but if your HD goes, Apple is there to replace it for you.

 

I don't think the MagSafe are $120, more $79, and I am somewhat certain that Apple extended the battery warranty on many MB and MBP an extra year or so when they released that battery update.

Ya they extended it to two years from purchase.
http://www.apple.com/support/macbook_macbookpro/batteryupdate/

 

Well there ya go. Even more reason to feel safe about it

 

Okay thanks guys, I think I'm safe in saying I'll get AppleCare and the investment will be worth it .

Now any thoughts on the messenger bag I was looking at? To sp00n, thanks for the suggestion but I didn't really like the design of the bags. Thanks anyway!

I'm looking at the Marware Sportfolio for the MacBook.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=99925BB3&nplm=TK032LL/A

 

Here's another one:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...wyF2aGghl92zvIdUOs/7.0.23.7.5.5.9.0.1.9.2.0.1

It doesn't look like a laptop bag on the outside.

 

Wouldn't it be better though if, say, the notebook worked perfectly in the first place, like it should (see bold)?

Not to pick on Macs in particular, it's just that I find these arguments for buying extended/special warranties for money over and above what they are already charging you (an arm and a leg whatever the manufacturer) questionable. If your NB worked as intended you would never need to spend an extra $300 in the first place!

Unless, of course, Apple covers everything including user abuse. I'm thinking that might be the case w/ Applecare?

 

Well actually that doesn't apply for me as I got this MacBook without paying a cent . Read first post to see how I got it.

Anyways, no I don't think AppleCare covers "wear and tear".

 

Awesome ...I suppose it's also about budget and peace of mind when it comes to these things.

 

Well when you consider all the parts of a notebook and the type of life they lead it's a miracle they work at all! Things fail on notebooks regardless of manufacturer, and some people feel more comfortable having a warranty to back it up in the event something does go wrong.

 

I carted my Powerbook to/from studio every day for school, as well as on countless plane rides/car rides/etc. It went everywhere, and I did all kinds of dropping my backpack on the ground, bumping it into things, etc. Come to think of it I kind of beat it up- it fell off a few tables (thats pre-magsafe power adapters). Along with that it did everything from 3d rendering to Aftereffects rendering to heavy photoshop/illustrator work, so the hardware strain (Especially then hard drive) was about as tough as it could get. It worked well for how much abuse it got.

I am, however, not buying another mac for exactly the reason someone just stated- decided for the same price I could get a lot more hardware, so I'm back in the pc game. They are still really nice NB's though!