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> [Apple quietly announced][1] that they were extending the warranty on their flagship laptop’s keyboard by four years. No, they didn't. If you read the very s

> [Apple quietly announced][1] that they were extending the warranty on their flagship laptop’s keyboard by four years. No, they didn't. If you read the very source the article cites for this, you find, > The program covers eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro models for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit. The original warranty was 1 year[2]; this is a three year extension. "Extending by 4 years" is just too good to be true. Although, I had no idea the warranty on MBPs was so bad; a well built machine should trivially last a year. And now that I Google around, this doesn't seem to really be unusual on Apple's part. My last laptop had a 4 year warranty, and it lasted about that long. But my current laptop only had a 1 year standard, and I had forgotten that I paid $80 to extend it for 3 years. Apple seems to offer an extended warranty ("AppleCare+") but wants $270 for it. [1]: https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-macbook-and-macbook-pro/ https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-m... [2]: https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/ https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/

tedmiston 8y ago
FWIW AppleCare for this price of machine has been the same duration and roughly the same price since forever, even before MBPs. What they have quietly changed is now you can only buy it in the first 60 days instead of the first year which was a big surprise to me buying a new MBP. It had been the first year for a very, very long time — since inception IIRC. Of course I learned of this change after I'd already had my machine for more than 60 days. :/ There are a few ways to get it slightly cheaper like F&F discount. You also used to be able to get it cheaper from a third party store like B&H but it seems they've cut back on this recently.
- benguild 8y ago
  Were you unable to find a boxed retail copy of the old version online?
  - tedmiston 8y ago
    Looks like there are a few but not many on eBay [1]. I wonder if one can still activate the legacy AppleCare (non +) on newer models purchased after they discontinued it. [1]: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=applecare+plan+macbook+pro&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_oac=1&LH_TitleDesc=0 https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=applecare+pla...
- SyneRyder 8y ago
  Oh wow, I didn't know this either. Looks like the change happened in June 2017, so roughly in the last year: https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/21/applecare-plus-mac-iphone-60-day-purchase-limit/ https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/21/applecare-plus-mac-ipho...
- analogmemory 8y ago
  Oh damn, I've waited too long now
- gnicholas 8y ago
  The link from SyneRyder’s comment indicates that you can still buy AppleCare anytime in the first year. The only thing subject to the 60-day limit is AppleCare+ (which includes accidental damage).
  - tedmiston 8y ago
    Good catch. Pasting here for others: > As for the Mac, customers who have had their Macs for longer than 60 days but less than a year are not eligible for AppleCare+ but are still able to purchase a standard AppleCare Protection Plan, MacRumors has learned. Apple is only offering AppleCare+ for Mac on its website, so customers will need to call in to Apple Support to make the standard AppleCare purchase. Standard Mac AppleCare is priced at $149 to $349, depending on the machine.
ruytlm 8y ago
Worth noting that in some jurisdictions (e.g. Australia), consumer protection law extends beyond manufacturer warranties by establishing consumer guarantees, e.g. a guarantee that products will be of acceptable quality, and that they will be reasonably fit for any disclosed or represented purpose.[0] This often extends beyond the period of the express manufacturer warranty. On a semi-related note, Apple has recently been fined AU$9m for "making false or misleading representations to customers with faulty iPhones and iPads about their rights under the Australian Consumer Law", by representing to customers "that they were no longer eligible for a remedy if their device had been repaired by a third party".[1] [0]: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/consumer-guarantees https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees... [1]: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/iphone-and-ipad-misrepresentations-cost-apple-inc-9-million-in-penalties https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/iphone-and-ipad-misrep...
- duiker101 8y ago
  Doesn't Apple often snob this laws? Have they changed their behaviour? If I remember correctly, in EU, up to just one or two years ago they were refusing to service products under warranty older than one year if you didn't have Apple Care even though the law mandates a 2 year warranty period.
  - gambiting 8y ago
    >>even though the law mandates a 2 year warranty period. The law mandates no such thing and this is an extremely common misunderstanding of how EU consumer production works. EU consumer protection law gives you protection against manufacturing defects for up to 6 years after purchase(it's 2 years only on specific items - in general, it's 6 years). The absolutely key word here is manufacturing defects - if you have a fault with your laptop, fridge, TV, whatever, within the first 6 months after buying it, then this law assumes the defect existed at the time of manufacturing and the manufacturer has to fix it. But, after the initial 6 months, the responsibility on proving that the defect is due to faulty manufacturing is on the customer. So yes, you can absolutely bring in your broken laptop to apple after 2 years of buying it, without buying extra Apple Care, and ask them to fix it - but it's up to you to prove that it's broken because of a manufacturing issue. That's why Apple "snubs" at it - in vast majority of cases it's very hard for the consumer to prove that the laptop is broken because of an error in manufacturing, and not because the part has worn out. Having said that - there are some countries in EU(for example Poland) which require that all electrical devices are covered by a full 2 year manufacturer warranty, and indeed - all Apple hardware sold in Poland comes with a 2 year warranty as standard. Which highlights another issue - EU laws are not as homogeneous as an outsider might think - for example, in UK if your product is replaced under warranty, the replacement is only covered for the duration of the original warranty. But in Poland, the law states that if an item is replaced under warranty, then the replacement has to be covered for a "fresh" duration, so a full replacement resets the time counter on the warranty. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/faq/index_en.htm https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/gua...
nkkollaw 8y ago
In Europe minimum mandatory warranty is 2 years.
- pas 8y ago
  Could you link to some explanatory source for that?
  - nkkollaw 8y ago
    There you go: https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/sell-abroad/client-guarantee-redress/index_en.htm https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/sell-abroad/client-gua...
ksec 8y ago
Exactly, As I said before, they should rise the price a little and offer 2 years standard warranty on all products, iPhone and Mac. It is not like they are replacing those panels or parts for free under warranty, you still have to paid for it, just a little cheaper. And 2 year is, for EU, UK, and AUS part of the law anyway. And like you said many Notebook now offer 2-3 years warranty as standard. Apple? It is rather unfortunate we don't have anyone to challenge them in both PC and Smartphone space.

tedmiston 8y ago

FWIW AppleCare for this price of machine has been the same duration and roughly the same price since forever, even before MBPs. What they have quietly changed is now you can only buy it in the first 60 days instead of the first year which was a big surprise to me buying a new MBP. It had been the first year for a very, very long time — since inception IIRC. Of course I learned of this change after I'd already had my machine for more than 60 days. :/ There are a few ways to get it slightly cheaper like F&F discount. You also used to be able to get it cheaper from a third party store like B&H but it seems they've cut back on this recently.

benguild 8y ago
Were you unable to find a boxed retail copy of the old version online?
- tedmiston 8y ago
  Looks like there are a few but not many on eBay [1]. I wonder if one can still activate the legacy AppleCare (non +) on newer models purchased after they discontinued it. [1]: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=applecare+plan+macbook+pro&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_oac=1&LH_TitleDesc=0 https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=applecare+pla...
SyneRyder 8y ago
Oh wow, I didn't know this either. Looks like the change happened in June 2017, so roughly in the last year: https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/21/applecare-plus-mac-iphone-60-day-purchase-limit/ https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/21/applecare-plus-mac-ipho...
analogmemory 8y ago
Oh damn, I've waited too long now
gnicholas 8y ago
The link from SyneRyder’s comment indicates that you can still buy AppleCare anytime in the first year. The only thing subject to the 60-day limit is AppleCare+ (which includes accidental damage).
- tedmiston 8y ago
  Good catch. Pasting here for others: > As for the Mac, customers who have had their Macs for longer than 60 days but less than a year are not eligible for AppleCare+ but are still able to purchase a standard AppleCare Protection Plan, MacRumors has learned. Apple is only offering AppleCare+ for Mac on its website, so customers will need to call in to Apple Support to make the standard AppleCare purchase. Standard Mac AppleCare is priced at $149 to $349, depending on the machine.

ruytlm 8y ago

Worth noting that in some jurisdictions (e.g. Australia), consumer protection law extends beyond manufacturer warranties by establishing consumer guarantees, e.g. a guarantee that products will be of acceptable quality, and that they will be reasonably fit for any disclosed or represented purpose.[0] This often extends beyond the period of the express manufacturer warranty. On a semi-related note, Apple has recently been fined AU$9m for "making false or misleading representations to customers with faulty iPhones and iPads about their rights under the Australian Consumer Law", by representing to customers "that they were no longer eligible for a remedy if their device had been repaired by a third party".[1] [0]: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/consumer-guarantees https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees... [1]: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/iphone-and-ipad-misrepresentations-cost-apple-inc-9-million-in-penalties https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/iphone-and-ipad-misrep...

duiker101 8y ago
Doesn't Apple often snob this laws? Have they changed their behaviour? If I remember correctly, in EU, up to just one or two years ago they were refusing to service products under warranty older than one year if you didn't have Apple Care even though the law mandates a 2 year warranty period.
- gambiting 8y ago
  >>even though the law mandates a 2 year warranty period. The law mandates no such thing and this is an extremely common misunderstanding of how EU consumer production works. EU consumer protection law gives you protection against manufacturing defects for up to 6 years after purchase(it's 2 years only on specific items - in general, it's 6 years). The absolutely key word here is manufacturing defects - if you have a fault with your laptop, fridge, TV, whatever, within the first 6 months after buying it, then this law assumes the defect existed at the time of manufacturing and the manufacturer has to fix it. But, after the initial 6 months, the responsibility on proving that the defect is due to faulty manufacturing is on the customer. So yes, you can absolutely bring in your broken laptop to apple after 2 years of buying it, without buying extra Apple Care, and ask them to fix it - but it's up to you to prove that it's broken because of a manufacturing issue. That's why Apple "snubs" at it - in vast majority of cases it's very hard for the consumer to prove that the laptop is broken because of an error in manufacturing, and not because the part has worn out. Having said that - there are some countries in EU(for example Poland) which require that all electrical devices are covered by a full 2 year manufacturer warranty, and indeed - all Apple hardware sold in Poland comes with a 2 year warranty as standard. Which highlights another issue - EU laws are not as homogeneous as an outsider might think - for example, in UK if your product is replaced under warranty, the replacement is only covered for the duration of the original warranty. But in Poland, the law states that if an item is replaced under warranty, then the replacement has to be covered for a "fresh" duration, so a full replacement resets the time counter on the warranty. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/faq/index_en.htm https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/gua...

nkkollaw 8y ago

In Europe minimum mandatory warranty is 2 years.

pas 8y ago
Could you link to some explanatory source for that?
- nkkollaw 8y ago
  There you go: https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/sell-abroad/client-guarantee-redress/index_en.htm https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/sell-abroad/client-gua...

ksec 8y ago

Exactly, As I said before, they should rise the price a little and offer 2 years standard warranty on all products, iPhone and Mac. It is not like they are replacing those panels or parts for free under warranty, you still have to paid for it, just a little cheaper. And 2 year is, for EU, UK, and AUS part of the law anyway. And like you said many Notebook now offer 2-3 years warranty as standard. Apple? It is rather unfortunate we don't have anyone to challenge them in both PC and Smartphone space.