Apple Care?
 

I'm going to be purchasing 2 refurbished MacBooks for Christmas gifts. I don't usually fall into the extended warranty gimmick, but was wondering if anyone has used the Apple Care extended warranty plan (3 years tech support and service). It would tack on an extra $500 that I could use for other gifts (or something nice for myself). Anyone have any problems with their mac outside of the normal warranty plan (1 year service, 90 day tech)?

Been through about twenty Macs. I bought the apple care for my kids' computers at college, but only because they might drop it and it was a good resell feature.

I've probably owned 20 or 30 Macs. I've needed Applecare on 1 of 3 laptops and 1 of 25 desktops. If it's a laptop, I'd probably spring for AppleCare.

You have up to a full year to purchase Applecare.

If the box is a lemon you'll probably know it by then.

I have never purchased it and have never needed it. Between work and personal I've purchased well over 200 Macs and no issues.

I will say I do know a guy, he had bad luck, who always bought it and always needed it.

Scott

I'm a professional web guy, and my Apple Powerbook is my office. I *absolutely* recommend you get the extended warranty from apple....I've needed Applecare for screen and battery issues on the last few of my machines. If you know anyone in college, you can get the extended warranty for $219, I believe, by using their college discount.

I've been using Mac since 94. I've owned a Color Classic, MacTV, 7100/66, 8100/80, 8100/100, 8500/120, 9500/132, SuperMac 180, Daystar Quad 150, Beige G3, Blue G3, 2- Gray G4s, 3 G5s, Powerbook, iBook, and a couple iMacs. In 12 years I've only had one lemon that Apple replaced (this was before Applecare, I ended up having to write a letter to Steve Jobs). Probably forgetting a few in that list.

I bought Applecare for my last G5 because I use it for work and can't afford to be down for any length of time. My DVD went out on that machine and instead of unplugging my machine and dragging it down to and Apple store, I went online, ordered a better DVD and installed in myself the next day, cost $80.

I personally don't like refurbs. For laptops, applecare is a good idea. For desktops, less so. For a refurb laptop, I wouldn't consider buying it without applecare.