Renewing/extending AppleCare

[giza]

So, I'm coming up on the 3-year anniversary of buying my Powerbook, and this means that my Applecare is about to run out.

Since this is a first for me, I figured I'd ask if anyone has any suggestions for when it finally does run out. Can it be renewed? Are there other companies that provide similar coverage to aging laptops? I would gladly pay another $300 for the machine to be covered against hardware defects for the next 3 years, rather than risk a dead main board setting me back $500 or more.

I did search on Google, of course, but the results were inconclusive. :-/

Comments

[zorinlynx.livejournal.com]

I dunno... Let's see, $300 just *in case* the machine fails over the next three years. The machine is already three years old and is still working.

In another two years it'll be five years old and will start feeling quite long in the tooth. You may start feeling the upgrade bug biting.

So is it worth to pay $300 for insurance on a 3 year old laptop? I don't think I would. I'd rather save the money towards upgrading to a new machine when the laptop dies or starts to feel too slow.

That's the way I think, anyway. Good luck making your decision :)

[taral.livejournal.com]

I doubt it can be renewed. Even if it could, it would probably be more expensive.

[kellic.livejournal.com]

I asked about my iPod. Apple store said no. This is prob why I won't be getting another Apple laptop. their warranty is a joke.

[lionman.livejournal.com]

I've found that the Apple Warranty is most useful when you make regular visits to your local Apple Store. If you're left with dealing with phone support ...enh, you're probably working at your own risk. :-/

[kellic.livejournal.com]

Even when its in store the turn around time on hardware is, to be blunt, asinine. For the same price Dell not only covers accidental damage. (Unlike Apple who will tell you the warranty is void if there is a dent on your laptop. Had this happen to a friend.) But also sends a tech out, me, usually within 2 days. Depending on if the part is in. My MBP has been in to Apple 6 times. They have had it a total of about 3 weeks. Last fall they outright replaced the thing after issue 5. Nice new shiny C2D MBP. This new MBP has already had an issue with the touchpad, and last week the sensor in the line in port got "stuck" so it though there was something in there and disabled the internal speakers. So I get to take it back again for repairs; which will no doubt be another 2-3 days without my main computer. Disappointed in Apple doesn't begin to cover how I feel about their wares. Its getting to a point where I would rather have a Dell again. They may be crap but at least they fix their crap fast.

[lionman.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is a rough go of it!

For my part, I've only sent my PB in once to corporate for repairs. They sucked badly. After I got it back, I started seeing the folks at the AppleStore more. I picked up a ProCare membership, and use it to accelerate myself, or my client's laptops to the front of the line for repairs, most of which they do same-day, provided the parts are onsite. (And for that I come in when they open, or pre-arrange if the part isn't onsite, so I bring it in the day after the part arrives, assuming the system isn't non-functional.)

I'm a geek, they're geeks, we talk about WoW while they diagnoise and do paperwork. Then again, I've only had one major video issue with my PB, and a sound issue, I guess, but I do get by the store regularly with equipment from other clients.

I feel like more than just a customer there, because they recognize me. Maybe it's because I'm in the midwest? Maybe it's because I'm just lucky. That's just been my experience.

[omnibahumut.livejournal.com]

Yes, I want to hear good things! I've been trying really hard to save up for a MBP on my own (trying not to resort to parents to school loans), and I want to be confident that I'm putting my money in a good place.
But sometimes I hear so much negativity that I start to think sometimes that maybe I shouldn't count out a gateway.

[lionman.livejournal.com]

Just as Giza's done, I highly recommend that you also spend the money on the AppleCare warranty Upgrade. And like they've said, be careful, don't dent the case.

[giza.livejournal.com]

> But also sends a tech out

Not always. (http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/466934.php?contentType=4&contentId=508844)

Dell's trying to promise the world and failing to deliver is going to irritate a great many people. Apple, on the other hand, has usually exceeded my expectations when I've had an issue arise.

[greenreaper.livejournal.com]

I would second the "invest the money instead" option. It might be more expensive, but you'd get a whole new computer with new warranty and better everything (well, maybe not battery life ;-).

[lionman.livejournal.com]

You have an active AppleCare, toddle on down to the AppleStore in Ardmore and ask them there.

In fact, whatever you do, you should try to be on a first-name-basis with folks there, so if you need technical help, you're their friend, not just a customer.

[giza.livejournal.com]

It's a nice idea, but I only have finite time, and I've found it far more productive to be on a first name basis with certain other local businesses. Like the local office supply store, for example. I fix the owner's computers, and he hooks me up with cheap office furniture. :-)

[lionman.livejournal.com]

Hey, I can't help it if you have an office product fetish, and not a computer fetish! ;-)

[ex-purpleca.livejournal.com]

The obvious answer is to upgrade to a MacBook Pro. :D

3 years on a laptop is a 'standard' life expectancy, even if Apples tend to last a bit longer. Sell the old one on eBay or something and upgrade the hardware. I'm not aware of Apple offering extended warranties past three years.

[wildw0lf.livejournal.com]

Wait, so the computer is already 3 years old, and you're looking to extend it another 3 years? I wouldn't bother. I think that Apple has a flat-rate out of warranty repair, where they will replace the LCD or System board, or anything for that matter for around the same price...you just mail it back to them. Let me say they will as long as it hasn't been physically broken or abused - that charge would go up. If your computer is really three years old, honestly, save your money, and consider when your computer does go, to put it towards a new notebook. Furthermore, if one major part does go, it's cheaper to tear apart your laptop and sell the remaining parts separately on Ebay, and use that money towards another laptop. If for example, only the Hard Drive died, you can usually replace that in $100 or less in parts; not worth the $300+ to send in for a out-of-warranty repair, or even the $300 in AppleCare protection. In fact, one of my coworkers is Apple Certified, so if you really don't feel good about tearing apart your laptop, let me know, and I think he can do it for $60 or so in labor to install the drive.

[giza.livejournal.com]

Yes, I hate tearing apart computers. I used to do it, and I'm not a hardware guy.

That being said, thanks for the info on your co-worker, I'll keep that in mind.

[wildw0lf.livejournal.com]

Sure, np. I've done my share of hardware and software fixes, but I steer clear of Apple Notebooks. Way too many small screws to get at almost anything, and even something as simple as changing a drive, you have to tear apart the entire computer to get to the hard drive. Since the hard drive is usually the thing most often to go, I believe they could have done a better job designing their hardware around this fact, and made it more user-accessible.