Apple care brings Two/Three years (total) limited hardware warranty
Two/Three years (total) technical support
Coverage for two incidents of accidental damage with some excess
but it comes at a hefty price
Do you think it's worth it considering what is normally already covered under ACL?
Is your answer depending on type of device?
Except your Australian Statutory Rights would have covered this for free as well.
I think Apple Care is very valuable in other countries that don't have the same consumer rights that we have in Australia, but most of the stuff covered from Apple Care is already covered under consumer rights in Australia.
How would you go about claiming that tho? Do you just rock up and tell them to fix it because its the law or call a government agency to get it fixed?
I'm one of those people that hates confrontation so I liked that it wasn't much of a bother getting them to fix it for free.
The screen started acting up on my iPhone XR and I started a chat on Apple's website. I just described what was happening and they said Yep that's covered under your consumer rights and they set up an appointment at an Apple Store. Fixed for free.
I can vouch for this.
Both times I didn't purchase applecare and both times it was repaired by Apple for free.
Exactly how long does Australian statutory rights apply to any product from the date of purchase? I assumed it was for one year only. Are you saying if there is a major manufacturing fault with a product (say Apple MacBook Pro) you had purchased 10 years ago, you can rock up to the Apple Store and ask them to fix it?
You can certainly ask. Some anecdotal evidence that they have honoured it, others not. It's difficult to prove a manufacturing fault after 10 years of use though…
ACL doesn't really define a period just that it needs to be working for a 'reasonable' period. Whatever that means is quite subjective.
@Hybroid: Yeah and I think you can argue if you paid a lot for something e.g. the average price for a fridge of x size is $500 but I bought a premium model for $1000 then it should last longer is valid.
I'd recommend it for a macbook as you should be able to get 4 or 5 years out of it.
Enjoy up to three years of
peace of mind when you buy AppleCare+ for Mac.
So how you say 4 or 5 years?
Out of the macbook itself.
Can generally expect it to last a bit longer than that - my 2013 Pro is going strong, other than a fugged battery! Easily replaceable, I just don't have a use for it these days.
@ThithLord: Same here. My 2013 MBP is still going strong, except for the battery which has decided to expand causing the touch pad to go crazy.
Every time I am offered 'extended warranty' or similar, it just makes me think the product is probably not fit for purpose.
The only thing that may be useful (for some people) is the accidental damage cover; but if you are careful with your devices this shouldn't be necessary.
Apple care comes in handy when accidental damage is involved. This is more like an insurance rather than warranty.
Definitely what I'd describe it as. It's not really an extended warranty, more just Apple's own accidental damage insurance.
This, OP.
AppleCare loses a lot of value, here, due to our inherent consumer protection under ACL. AppleCare will only really be of value as a pseudo-insurance policy to cover against damage (but not lost or stolen devices).
My MacBook Pro has been replaced 3 times with the dreaded butterfly keyboard problems; most recently this year, and it was purchased in 2017. They're great at fixing problems that arise; preventing problems from arising in the first place, though, isn't quite Apple's specialty with their form > function approach.
If you read the terms of Apple care in Aus it literally is an insurance product.
It’s underwritten by an insurance company.
It’s not a warranty at all
It’s access to phone support for a full three years (2 on iPhones) and coverage for Accidental damage
If you want to get coverage for accidental damage with genuine Apple parts and repaired by Apple and pay $0 or a small excess etc then it’s worth it 100%
It's only worth it if you expect to break your phone at least once over two years. Using the iPhone SE as an example, if you break your screen once over the two year period, you would just break even (compared to paying ~$180 for a screen repair with no AppleCare).
Think your maths is a bit off.
Apple care screen replacements due to damage is $45
Apple replacement screen due to damage costs for the new SE are not listed but the iPhone 8 is listed at $249
Apple care for iPhone SE 2020 is $129.
So break screen once with Apple care you have paid $174
Break it twice with Apple care and you have paid $ 219
Break screen once without Apple care (using iPhone 8 price) $249
This is based on Apple replacing the screen which based on prior experience is the only way to ensure it’s done right and without further drama.
If you're planning to go overseas in the next two years, then yes, it has a lot of value. Otherwise, the ACL is strong enough
Any insurance is a waste of money - until you need it!
People have had poor experiences with 'extended warranties' so they may apply that experience to Apple's version of it, but it honestly differs greatly from an extended warranty.
The amount of times apple care has saved me has proven its worth over and over again.
*Smashed watch screen: Entire watch replaced $99 (was stainless steel version so was looking at $900 for new one)
*Partners watch bought in japan went through the washing machine, Apple Aus helped but took ages as watch was sent to Japan for repair (part numbers or something): Free pair of $300 beats headphones for delay and watch replaced for $99
*Partner accidentally stepped on Macbook Pro when getting out of bed (it was on floor) cracked screen, New Screen fitted $229
As i said above, its not warranty at all.. its an insurance product and unlike insurance its not difficult to claim on, pay the required "excess" and get replacement or repair
Its worth it imho
iPhone i am 50/50 on its value but on higher end stuff its worth it.
Other features you get from Apple Care:
iMac: on site repair or assessment (even for warranty) so do not need to drag iMac into apple store
Amazing phone support (extended to 2 or 3 years depending on product)
and the savings on screen replacements (genuine) for Macbooks, IPad's etc is def worth the money 100%
Better than coverage under a Home and Contents policy?
I'm in same boat as you, and I personally see the value.
The screen replacement cost on an iPhone makes it worthwhile as unofficial repairs aren't usually great. That being said, if your concern was something like battery, Apple is one of the better companies to deal with even under ACL for remedies (eg replaced battery on a 1.5 year old iPhone X).
extended warranty is a rip-off. Think of it as an insurance tho. If you drop your $3300 MBP, you're stuffed!
It's worth it if you have a tendency to break your tech. For people like me who have never broken a laptop or phone, it's definitely not worth it.
I know accidents happen, but leaving your laptop on the floor in your bedroom? I honestly can't understand this.
I have Apple everything. Never had Apple care. I’ve had 3 iPads replaced and 1 iphone. I didn’t even have to quote the consumer law. It just takes a polite explanation that what happened to the product was the result of everyday use or a small unexpected accident and the staff happily replaced the products as a “one off” - their words not mine. I have seen people escorted out of the store because they went in with all guns blazing to attack the store staff hoping to bully them into a replacement. That style is why they have security in store.
The thing to understand is that Apple want you for life - that is a LOT of money for them. If you have several of their products and services the lifetime value to them is what they are after. So if you fit that criteria and you are polite and reasonable you will be well looked after.
The only time I would suggest Apple care is if you have an environment where things get accidentally broken on a regular basis. I have a friend who because of his work always manages to break his phone (Samsung). He pays the extended warranty and then has to pay a little towards the replacement. Usually about once or twice a year.
Out of curiosity what were the problems/accidents in those 4 times?
iPads were 2 minor drops with a cracked screen and a dented Power button, the other was a POSSIBLE little known problem that I suspected might be an issue and I bought that one second hand(!) and the phone was just crazy. It was the X and there was a little recognised problem with the screen clicking on buttons in sunlight all by itself. It pays to be up to date with what current issues are as this helps the sales staff decide in your favour. They are too busy to look too closely at the problem so if there is a known fault they swap it pretty quick even before being certain that is the issue. They have other people to take care of.
PLUS I had a keypad replaced too because there were issues with the first ones with the First iPad Pro. Got that when the iPad was replaced. Forgot about that!
2 minor drops with a cracked screen
wonder why they approved this when it's your fault?
@barozgain: Because I was nice to them and told them I love the product and was a loyal customer. They have discretion
@MontyMacaw: Do you think there's any way I'd be able to convince apple to give me free Beats with my Mac purchase (student)
or since this promo expired in March -no chance
@barozgain: Even I would have trouble pulling that off but I’d still give it a go. I once went in and pretended (as a joke) that I was a professor at a university to try and get a discount on a MacBook for my daughter during a promotion for students and even though I said it was a joke the sales lady said she would do it for me. I had never dealt with her before. My angle for you would be that you wanted to get the deal when it was available but had too many other expenses and since then there has been the lockdown and now you are in a position to get it you want to buy direct from Apple instead of going to another outlet like JB HI-Fi who often have deals because you are always a loyal Apple shopper. It’s been a tough year for everybody and this would help make up for it. Remember don’t be too smart or insincere about it. Really sell it. Nothing to lose.
I wish I got it for my Apple Watch. I dropped it and smashed the screen And the repair was about $800. First smart device I’ve ever dropped / smashed.
isn't that same price as a new one?
How about for iPhone? Is it worth
it would be worth it only if you think you’ll accidentally damage? Also how much did it cost?
I just bought a MacBook Air m2 15” and paid $2580 (Black Friday) , so I’m thinking of getting the Apple care because of how expensive (mind you I never broke a laptop/ iPad/ iPhone). As I can also claim on tax return and I will get it (and pay 15% off too by using the discounted gift cards). So overall Apple care will be about $60 a year for my new MacBook (after discounted gift cards and tax return)
I would say Yes to Macbook, was a bday present and they bought apple care with it. It started acting up on its 2nd/3rd year and just wouldn't turn on. Brought it in the morning and they fixed it for free and got it back in the afternoon.