So how good is Applecare?

I just decided to get a MBP over a T61p or xps 1530 and i'm just trying to figure out some of the little things before i pull the trigger.

Has anyone had a problem with Applecare? I've read a bunch of threads of Apple charging ridiculous amounts to fix mind cosmetic dents and stuff since it doesn't cover accidental damage.

Side note: Some guy at the applestore today flipped out when they wanted 1200 dollars to fix his MBP after he spilled some water on it. He probably should have just said it died as oppose to telling them the truth since it cost him a bundle and i'm sure dried by then. I'm trying to figure out what i'm getting for it since for the same price from dell you get 3 years of on-site service, 3 year accidental protection, and 3 years of lojack. It just seems like you don't get much since you need to make an appointment, drive over there, drop it off, pick it up, and hope to god it was covered.

 

Yeah, all it is is an extension of the original 1 year warranty and 90 day phone service.

 

I personally haven't. Each time, my machine was returned in top condition. Applecare has saved me at least $200CAD already, which is the same price I got Applecare for. If you lug your laptop around a lot, and even if you have a sleeve, and a proper bag (which I do), Applecare is definitely one thing worth investing in.

Also, you don't have to get it at an official Apple place to get it repaired. You can bring it to any Authorized Apple Dealer, and they'll fix it for you. Personally, in Vancouver, I took mine to Simply Computing to fix, and the one time I did have to drop it off, they took maybe 2 weeks at maximum. The other two times, I actually went there, they ordered the part, and I was aloud to leave with my Macbook. They phoned me once the part was in, I brought it back in, and by the time I got it back it was maybe 4 hours at most?

So if your computer does break down, I would recommend taking it to a 3rd party authorized dealer - they aren't quite as swamped as the official Apple places, and they are usually quite efficient in their repairs.

 

The Apple care was the reason I decided not to go with a MBP

 

Does Applecare offer free service for you to ship them the laptop for repair?? Or do you have to pay to ship it? I wouldn't drive to no apple store to drop it off unless one was real local.

 

I also know this from first hand experience - the boxes are filled with foam, with precut holes for whatever you're sending in (in my case, it was an iPod).



Like I said above though, for Applecare, you don't necessarily have to send it directly to apple. Any 3rd party Authorized Apple Dealer will do it for you as well. If you have Applecare, they won't charge you to fix the Macbook, or whatever you have under Applecare.

 

Is there 24 hour service? I called to transfer my warranty to the new system and it said 6am to 6pm??

 

You can send it in, they cover the shipping . They'll send a messenger (UPS, etc.) box to you. And not only if you have AppleCare, standard warranty does that too.

 

It's not 24 hour service. It's only opened during certain times, varying depending on where you are.

 

350 bucks and its not 24 hours!!

 

I have my own personal product specialist. Every time I've had an issue I call his extension and it gets solved quick fast. I love having apple care and not having to worry about anything.

 

Search eBay for Apple Care. You can get it for half the price sometimes.