[jane_winty]

I'm a switcher and purchase an 12" ibook G4 in December 2003, and I'm on a student budget.

I am considering of purchase the ibook warranty using the educational discount. Is it worth getting the warranty? Should I wait until November 2004 to buy it or get it now? If there is apple.com coupon, can I apply the coupon on the warranty?

By the way, I know this is not the forum for the ipod, but I'm also thinking of getting a warranty on it. Is it worth to get it?

Any comments/suggestions/advices/inputs are kindly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Ω]

For laptops I would definitely get applecare. They are so damn expensive to get fixed if you don't.

Given that you have until December 04 to make the decision, you have plenty of time. You will find computer companies selling applecare for cheap - you just have to find them. Typically they expect you to buy applecare when you buy a machine, but it is not usually essential - just read the fine print.

I have also heard of other insurance companies that will also insure your machine against damage. You might want to investigate this as well.

Hope this helps

(I personally have used applecare 4 times - the total cost of replacing the parts, I would have been looking at another laptop)

[Detrius]

Originally posted by _?_:
You will find computer companies selling applecare for cheap - you just have to find them.

As an Apple Technician, I beg you not to get one of the warranties offered by someone else. It is such an incredible hassle for us to get these companies to pay us. Therefore, we don't like working on machines with warranties from other companies. As such, you may have difficulty finding somewhere to take the machine.

AppleCare is sold by Apple and does not vary in price. Mail-order catalogs offer their own warranties allowing customers to believe they are getting AppleCare.

Just get it straight from Apple. Don't bother waiting because it doesn't make a difference if you get it now or later.


Note: if your LCD goes nuts on you, you are looking at a $1k repair. You would definitely be happy you have AppleCare at that point. If your logic board goes out (or any of the ports on it), you would likely be looking at ~$400ish.

One repair out of warranty and you've covered yourself.

[ginoledesma]

Hi, Detrius

Nice to hear from an Apple Technician. I'd like to ask a question, though. Are there any cash-outs needed, under AppleCare, for LCD/logic board repairs? Or is this totally "covered by AppleCare" you absolutely don't have to pay for anything more?

The only benefit that getting insurance outside AppleCare is that they can insure against theft, accidental damage, and what not, which AppleCare doesn't cover. For some people, especially corporate users, this can be very important. I believe there was a thread discussing some companies that had excellent service for this. You might want to do a search in the iBooks/PowerBooks forums.

As for me, yes, I consider AppleCare essential for portables. LCD repairs alone are enough to make you want to buy a new laptop altogether.

[Ω]

I have a TiBook which I am discovering is a very expensive piece of machinery!

Replaced:

Bottom case
Broken hinge (total LCD replacement)
CD Drive.

I think the HD and the mobo might still be the original!

Without applecare I would be a pauper. For laptops IT IS WELL WORTH THE PRICE. The best thing about applecare is that when you go to a store they are reluctant to pass judgement. Once it gets to apple they are typically "lets do it".

We all pay a premium to get this service, but in the end the benefits outweigh the costs.

[Big Mac]

My iBook 466 (the clamshell behemoth) has been rock solid, and if Apple still sold machines like it I would suggest one could get away without AppleCare. But people went through hell with the iceBook 500-900s, and Apple finally instituted a horrifically overdue extended repair program. The iBook G3s seem to have been lemons to due to design, which is really unfortunate since they were the most popular Macs in recent history. Hopefully those notoriously flakey machines didn't turn too many completely off the to the Mac. I don't really know whether the iBook G4 can be trusted, but at least we know the issues have been addressed. (The iBook G4's motherboard is based on the PB G4s, which is a good thing.) You may want to check out safeware.com. Others have been quite happy with safeware, so I bought inexpensive coverage for my iBook.

[jane_winty]

Well, I decided to get the warranty now since it doesn't make difference if I purchase it later or now.

Apple sent me $30 off coupon the day after the warranty shipped out of their warehouse!!!!

I was so tempted to return the warranty, and re-do the purchase again using the coupon!

[Chimpmaster]

Hang on for a minute there dude.

Not sure how it works in the states, but here in australia

- All Educational purchases come complete with a full 3 year apple warranty (no telephone support but you can drop it off at your local applestore)

- applecare can be purchased in addition to this, and gives you phone support, or is the warranty option for non-educational purchases

I nearly got caught out on this with my imac. I bought through www.apple.com.au/education and found out just before I was about to add applecare to my trolley that the 3 year warranty applies for students.

I hope you havent doubled up!

[Detrius]

Originally posted by ginoledesma:
Hi, Detrius

Nice to hear from an Apple Technician. I'd like to ask a question, though. Are there any cash-outs needed, under AppleCare, for LCD/logic board repairs? Or is this totally "covered by AppleCare" you absolutely don't have to pay for anything more?

The only benefit that getting insurance outside AppleCare is that they can insure against theft, accidental damage, and what not, which AppleCare doesn't cover. For some people, especially corporate users, this can be very important. I believe there was a thread discussing some companies that had excellent service for this. You might want to do a search in the iBooks/PowerBooks forums.

As for me, yes, I consider AppleCare essential for portables. LCD repairs alone are enough to make you want to buy a new laptop altogether.

There is no out-of-pocket expense for LCD/logic board repairs. AppleCare is an extension of the manufacturer's hardware warranty.

As far as damage or theft, homeowner's insurance or renter's insurance cover that. The only down side is that your insurance goes up if you make a claim.

[Superchicken]

You have an iBook, with the current problems with these units... like MINE I would suggest getting Apple care, I would hate to see you have a logic board go and not have any recourse.