5 ms·

Higher tier devices have higher AppleCare+ costs, so a Macbook Pro + iPad Pro + iPhone Pro = just short of $300 a year, if I did the math right. Also if you're

Higher tier devices have higher AppleCare+ costs, so a Macbook Pro + iPad Pro + iPhone Pro = just short of $300 a year, if I did the math right. Also if you're someone who travels a lot or loses things this seems slightly better. I've personally never had AppleCare on anything (even phones).

neom 1y ago
The liquid protection is nice. I never had it either because the only thing I was worried about was liquid and I'm quite careful with that, but last year someone spilled apple juice all over my stuff and it was an expensive bill, so I started to get applecare. The other thing is I got my wifes screen replaced in the mall last year and they said they replaced it with OEM apple but no way they did, it was junk, and no way for me to prove they used something that wasn't apple.
- crinkly 1y ago
  The repair market is a pretty horrible disaster zone of stories like that. I popped a 15" MBP screen a few years back and the (£500 paid) replacement lid+screen from a third party had the ghosting problem that was a problem on those. I tried to return it but the seller disappeared. Same with batteries - never last as well as the OEM ones.
  - neom 1y ago
    If apple put some type of hard enough to copy engraving or watermarking on their stuff, that might help a bit, or a QR code that called back to an apple server that verified it's authenticity, then I could ask the person in the mall to show me it before putting it in. Welcome to HN btw, I like your username a lot.
    - crinkly 1y ago
      They do that with hardware pairing but everyone moans at them. I'd rather get genuine parts than worry about my inability to put crap parts in! Thank you. The name was shaming me into ironing a shirt for a formal event :)
  - nottorp 1y ago
    ... but that's because Apple won't sell original parts to 3rd party repair shops ...
    - crinkly 1y ago
      They can buy them from selfservicerepair.com which is literally the Apple official parts distribution system.
      - nottorp 1y ago
        That's the one that includes 200 kg worth of tools that you have to send back? More malicious compliance.
        crinkly 1y ago
        You don't have to use the tools. I've used it to replace a duff USB-C port on my daughter's M2 air with my own tools (which happen to be exactly the same Wera ones that they send out if you want them to) So that's two wrong points in a row? Not sure where you're getting your information from.
        nottorp 1y ago
        Good for you. I'd prefer to pay a 3rd party repair shop of my choice to do that, and have them handle ordering the part. I'd also like to pay just for the part, not for receiving the tools and sending them back...
- expensive_news 1y ago
  I typically get AppleCare on my phone and then get a new screen and battery right before the window is up. AppleCare is cheaper than the cost of those repairs plus I have the added peace of mind that if something bad does happen I have AppleCare. I don’t renew it as part of the monthly plan though. I also don’t use a case or screen protector on my phone fwiw
- euroderf 1y ago
  Did you say liquids ? Our senior Siamese tips over anything full of water, and that zapped the wifey's Mac.
wat10000 1y ago
Financially speaking, you shouldn't insure what you can afford to repair or replace, unless you're well above average risk for some reason. Of course, peace of mind is an emotional calculation that may come out differently.
- threetonesun 1y ago
  Right, although repair with Apple devices is a tricky/impossible cost calculation to make. I also remember the "good old days" when you could bring an iPhone with issues into the store and likely get a replacement just by asking nicely.
  - crinkly 1y ago
    They still do that. I just replaced my 15 Pro which had a speaker problem. They gave me a brand new one and migrated everything there in the store for me. 100% battery health again. No money paid. Nearly 2 years old.
  - smogcutter 1y ago
    I turned screws in an Apple Store in that era, circa iPhone 3G/4. Internally that policy was called “getting to yes” and it was a huge pain in the ass. The idea: customer comes in with a broken screen. You surprise and delight them by getting a manager’s override on the cost. You say you can make an exception because it’s the first time, but the next screen will cost x. The reality: customer comes in expecting free repairs. Any charge is an argument. Their cousin dropped like 5 phones in the toilet and they were all replaced for free, etc. It sucked.
    - ValentineC 1y ago
      > Internally that policy was called “getting to yes” and it was a huge pain in the ass. I don't remember a "getting to yes" era, especially when I brought in my old MagSafe 2 charger whose cable insulation had worn out because of the type of plastic Apple used, spilling blue stuff all over my space. All the Genius Bars I went to (in multiple countries) gaslit and blamed it on me storing my MagSafe charger wrongly, even though this was obviously Apple's fault. I wish I could have been surprised and delighted instead. I still have it in a plastic bag somewhere, rotting away.
93po 1y ago
i regret not getting it on my iphone bc the screen cracked and coming from android i had no idea apple would charge nearly half the price of the phone to repair it

neom 1y ago

The liquid protection is nice. I never had it either because the only thing I was worried about was liquid and I'm quite careful with that, but last year someone spilled apple juice all over my stuff and it was an expensive bill, so I started to get applecare. The other thing is I got my wifes screen replaced in the mall last year and they said they replaced it with OEM apple but no way they did, it was junk, and no way for me to prove they used something that wasn't apple.

crinkly 1y ago
The repair market is a pretty horrible disaster zone of stories like that. I popped a 15" MBP screen a few years back and the (£500 paid) replacement lid+screen from a third party had the ghosting problem that was a problem on those. I tried to return it but the seller disappeared. Same with batteries - never last as well as the OEM ones.
- neom 1y ago
  If apple put some type of hard enough to copy engraving or watermarking on their stuff, that might help a bit, or a QR code that called back to an apple server that verified it's authenticity, then I could ask the person in the mall to show me it before putting it in. Welcome to HN btw, I like your username a lot.
  - crinkly 1y ago
    They do that with hardware pairing but everyone moans at them. I'd rather get genuine parts than worry about my inability to put crap parts in! Thank you. The name was shaming me into ironing a shirt for a formal event :)
- nottorp 1y ago
  ... but that's because Apple won't sell original parts to 3rd party repair shops ...
  - crinkly 1y ago
    They can buy them from selfservicerepair.com which is literally the Apple official parts distribution system.
    - nottorp 1y ago
      That's the one that includes 200 kg worth of tools that you have to send back? More malicious compliance.
      - crinkly 1y ago
        You don't have to use the tools. I've used it to replace a duff USB-C port on my daughter's M2 air with my own tools (which happen to be exactly the same Wera ones that they send out if you want them to) So that's two wrong points in a row? Not sure where you're getting your information from.
        nottorp 1y ago
        Good for you. I'd prefer to pay a 3rd party repair shop of my choice to do that, and have them handle ordering the part. I'd also like to pay just for the part, not for receiving the tools and sending them back...
expensive_news 1y ago
I typically get AppleCare on my phone and then get a new screen and battery right before the window is up. AppleCare is cheaper than the cost of those repairs plus I have the added peace of mind that if something bad does happen I have AppleCare. I don’t renew it as part of the monthly plan though. I also don’t use a case or screen protector on my phone fwiw
euroderf 1y ago
Did you say liquids ? Our senior Siamese tips over anything full of water, and that zapped the wifey's Mac.

wat10000 1y ago

Financially speaking, you shouldn't insure what you can afford to repair or replace, unless you're well above average risk for some reason. Of course, peace of mind is an emotional calculation that may come out differently.

threetonesun 1y ago
Right, although repair with Apple devices is a tricky/impossible cost calculation to make. I also remember the "good old days" when you could bring an iPhone with issues into the store and likely get a replacement just by asking nicely.
- crinkly 1y ago
  They still do that. I just replaced my 15 Pro which had a speaker problem. They gave me a brand new one and migrated everything there in the store for me. 100% battery health again. No money paid. Nearly 2 years old.
- smogcutter 1y ago
  I turned screws in an Apple Store in that era, circa iPhone 3G/4. Internally that policy was called “getting to yes” and it was a huge pain in the ass. The idea: customer comes in with a broken screen. You surprise and delight them by getting a manager’s override on the cost. You say you can make an exception because it’s the first time, but the next screen will cost x. The reality: customer comes in expecting free repairs. Any charge is an argument. Their cousin dropped like 5 phones in the toilet and they were all replaced for free, etc. It sucked.
  - ValentineC 1y ago
    > Internally that policy was called “getting to yes” and it was a huge pain in the ass. I don't remember a "getting to yes" era, especially when I brought in my old MagSafe 2 charger whose cable insulation had worn out because of the type of plastic Apple used, spilling blue stuff all over my space. All the Genius Bars I went to (in multiple countries) gaslit and blamed it on me storing my MagSafe charger wrongly, even though this was obviously Apple's fault. I wish I could have been surprised and delighted instead. I still have it in a plastic bag somewhere, rotting away.

93po 1y ago

i regret not getting it on my iphone bc the screen cracked and coming from android i had no idea apple would charge nearly half the price of the phone to repair it