few questions about used macbooks

I'm looking to purchase a used macbook and was wondering how the warranty situation would work out? Can I call apple to verify the time left on the warranty and is it transferable? If I don't have the receipt can I still bring it into the apple store for free? Thanks

 

By used MacBook do you mean (for example) your friend has a MacBook and you're buying it from him? Or do you mean buying a refurbished MacBook from the Apple Store?

If you're buying the MacBook from your friend, basically when he bought the MacBook is when the warranty started. The standard is one year from purchase. If he/she bought AppleCare along with the MacBook, then the warranty will last until 3 years from his/her purchase of the MacBook. Yes, you can call Apple (or go online to Apple > Support) to verify the time left on the warranty (I don't see why not). The warranty should be transferable, and even if it isn't it shouldn't be a problem, they don't "register" who bought that MacBook, unless your friend did.

I think you can get the MacBook serviced even without the receipt. Technically, I think they don't have to help you, but most Apple employees are nice and helpful and will probably help you out without the receipt. As long as you can prove your MacBook is still within warranty time (by receipt, serial number, etc.)

 

As far as I've heard, the warranty transfers to the new owner.

I don't see why they would deny service without a receipt Sam. They can just put your system id and pull up the purchase info on it. But I've never experienced care at an Apple Store before.

But in all things, ouc an always call apple up to verify that it transfers.

 

Thanks for the responses. I'm looking to buy used off of someone who's looking to sell. I just wanted to make sure before buying in case there is something wrong with the laptop. So if I do buy one that is still under warranty, say if a part fails before the warranty expires, I can take it to the apple store and they will service it for me for free?

 

Yeah, they should be able to service it for free. Keep in mind, they only give software support for 90 days, and 1 year hardware support. I'd recommend getting the extended warranty for every laptop.

The only thing I worry about buying a laptop without physically seeing it, is the possibility that it has bene damaged.

 

Thanks hollownail. Really? Software support is only 90 days? I wonder why that is considering software support is usually less of a hassle to fix. Anyways I don't really need the software support, just the hardware support since I am paranoid that it may have been damaged. But I'm looking locally for now so I'll have a chance to inspect it. Also, anybody know what's a good/fair price on a used macbook (1.83 c2d in good condition)

 

There are an infinite number of software combinations that tech support would have to deal with in order to solve a problem. Hardware is usually easier to fix, and that's why the support it for much longer. Another thing is that software configurations rarely change too much after the first 90 days, so it's easy to identify when a new program caused a problem.

 

Yeah, I need to call them back up actually. I'm having some issues, both hardware and software. Just, they'll be *****y about troubleshooting my software issues, even though it's being cased by hardware.

 

but worst comes to worst, can't you always resolve a software problem by reformatting? Of course, that's assuming that the software is compatible.

 

Except that it doesn't really solve anything... One might get into the same problem after reformatting. Reformatting should be seen aas a last-resort only, it is a cheap way of "solving" problems.