Apple Care Yes or NO?

[RWW53]

Hi, just bought a Mac Mini M2 and coming from Windows where I could swap in or out hardware there was no need for anything along the Apple care line but now is it worth the money and if yes what option 1 year or 3 years, £35 or £99, and if you take the one year do they offer an extension toward the end of that year?
Thank You, Russ.

 

[toMACsh]

I believe you can "renew" as you suggest, but since I've not tried that, I'm not 100% sure. The logic for getting it goes like this: A Mac Mini has basically the same components as a laptop, and is rather delicate, so get Apple Care to be safe. Having said that, I've done that for two Minis, and I haven't had to use it. So, if you end up having problems, it is definitely worth the money. If you are problem free, only you can evaluate the worth in monetary terms for the peace of mind knowing that you're covered.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Absolutely get the AppelCare and do it before the 60 days from the date of purchase are up. Otherwise, you will not be able to purchase it (this is a change where in the past you could purchase up to the end of the 1st year from date of purchase).

If you don't end up using the warranty during those 3 years, no big deal. If you do, it'll be quite beneficial and if you decide to sell the Mac Mini for whatever reason, it'll be worth more to the new buyer knowing they have some warranty.

 

[IWT]

@Russ,

AppleCare is a must in my experience. Like any insurance, it depends on your luck; you may never need it. But it's there when you do and, by jove, when you see the costs of repairing or replacing the Mac or parts thereof, you'll be relieved - not only financially, but with the full Apple Support process.

And, go for the 3 years!

Ian

 

[RWW53]

Thank you, took the 3 year option.

 

[Manasion]

When it comes to AppleCare for a Mac Mini M2, opinions vary. Some users believe that AppleCare is worth it for the peace of mind and added protection it provides. However, others argue that the Mac Mini is relatively affordable and may not require additional coverage.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

When it comes to AppleCare for a Mac Mini M2, opinions vary. Some users believe that AppleCare is worth it for the peace of mind and added protection it provides. However, others argue that the Mac Mini is relatively affordable and may not require additional coverage.

If the Mac Mini needs a new logicboard (worst case scenario) in year 2 (post the included 1 year warranty), the cost of replacing it will be a couple hundred less than a brand new Mac Mini. So is your suggestion that the mini is so cheap that people just buy a new one when their current one fails? If so, that's quite foolish advice.

 

[RWW53]

If the Mac Mini needs a new logicboard (worst case scenario) in year 2 (post the included 1 year warranty), the cost of replacing it will be a couple hundred less than a brand new Mac Mini. So is your suggestion that the mini is so cheap that people just buy a new one when their current one fails? If so, that's quite foolish

So is your suggestion that the mini is so cheap? I wish!! I paid £1000+ for my setup, as a pensioner that is a lot of money but as long as it last a few years longer than having to keep upgrading as I had to with a Windows computer it is worth it. Russ.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

So is your suggestion that the mini is so cheap? I wish!! I paid £1000+ for my setup, as a pensioner that is a lot of money but as long as it last a few years longer than having to keep upgrading as I had to with a Windows computer it is worth it. Russ.

Agreed. While the Mac Mini is the cheapest Mac, if things break horribly, repairing it will cost as much as the machine itself. So warranty is a good thing to have.

 

[Jimmysb]

It is risk, and cost benefit analysis, I did NOT go with Apple care, if my product fails after two years it is not of merchantable quality, regardless of the warranty, and ergo under UK retail law should be repaired/replaced. I have taken the risk not to pay extra for what benefit.

 

[chevyboy60013]

If I purchase a new mac, iPad or iPhone I will get AppleCare just because a warranty is a good thing.

 

[toMACsh]

If warranties were not a money-maker for the business that sells them, they wouldn't. The actual value, therefore, is negative to the consumer. But, peace of mind is worth something too. How much it's worth is a personal thing for each individual.

 

[MacInWin]

Extended warranties, like AppleCare+, is like going into a casino and placing a bet. You know the odds are against you, or the casino wouldn't exist. But, you might win, which is what makes the bet attractive. Apple is betting the machine won't break, you are betting it will. If you win, Apple pays for the repair. If Apple wins, they keep the money and don't have to spend anything at all. But, and this is why the bet is attractive, if you DON'T bet, and the machine breaks, you lose more than the bet value.

How lucky do you feel?

 

[RadDave]

For myself, an Apple user for over a dozen years now, and with more than a half dozen of their products in our house, I've always purchased AppleCare+ - as Jake states my 'Apple insurance' has usually been a losing bet, but I used it 3 times: 1) A frayed MagSafe connector was replaced; 2) My MBPro battery was also replaced; and 3) My iPad Pro developed a yellow spot on the display and was replaced. So, I'll continue to purchase the 'insurance'. Dave

 

[Rod]

I have on occasion taken out Apple Care + on more expensive items like computers but generally I don't. This is because in Australia we have consumer laws and regulations to protect consumers. Broadly they work on the basis of reasonable expectations. For example if I buy a new Mac laptop and the battery dies or swells in the first 12 months Apple is obliged under these laws to repair or replace that item. To what degree other countries have or enforce these laws I don't know but I have received a new replacement MBP twice under these laws, once for a battery, as above, and once for a screen that lost it's non reflective coating.
There are also cases where a particular device batch or model has a fault recognised by Apple. In those cases Apple may extend the warranty to cover free replacement or repair.
So dependent on where you live, local laws/regulations and the type of fault experience you may not require Apple Care + at all.
It is, as said, a gamble, one you sort of hope to loose but it does give you peace of mind.

 

[Jimmysb]

I have on occasion taken out Apple Care + on more expensive items like computers but generally I don't. This is because in Australia we have consumer laws and regulations to protect consumers. Broadly they work on the basis of reasonable expectations. For example if I buy a new Mac laptop and the battery dies or swells in the first 12 months Apple is obliged under these laws to repair or replace that item. To what degree other countries have or enforce these laws I don't know but I have received a new replacement MBP twice under these laws, once for a battery, as above, and once for a screen that lost it's non reflective coating.
There are also cases where a particular device batch or model has a fault recognised by Apple. In those cases Apple may extend the warranty to cover free replacement or repair.
So dependent on where you live, local laws/regulations and the type of fault experience you may not require Apple Care + at all.
It is, as said, a gamble, one you sort of hope to loose but it does give you peace of mind.

UK has similar consumer rights, and in a lot of cases this is up to 6 years from new, for manufacturing/component faults, though I cannot remember the details but know where to find them.

 

[MacInWin]

UK has similar consumer rights, and in a lot of cases this is up to 6 years from new, for manufacturing/component faults, though I cannot remember the details but know where to find them.

I suspect that the laws in UK are part of why Apple products cost more. In addition to exchange rates for the currencies involved, and import duties for UK, that legally required coverage adds to the cost for Apple, which they pass along to consumers. Essentially, in the UK, everybody is forced into AC+ in some form or another.