<p>It is really worth it for me to purchase AppleCare for $250? A salesclerk at Apple told me 95% of the customers use their AppleCare protection when I asked him what percentage of customer actually use it. I think he's playing one on me, but whatever. I mean something does not seem right about that number - 95% is almost 100%. Does that mean Apple is unreliable? </p>
<p>Anyways, how many of you who own a Macbook have used Applecare...and what specifically have you used it for. Please, don't be bashing Apple...I just need some good advice or feedback on their personal experiences.</p>
<p>And while we're at it, how many of you use .Mac..how useful is it?</p>
<p>Well, anything can happen to your computer. Apples aren't invincible, they just don't get viruses...</p>
<p>Say a key falls of your keyboard, Apple will fix it for free if you have AppleCare. Say your charger randomly stops working, Apple will give you a new one for free if you have AppleCare. </p>
<p>Yeah, plus the turnaround time is amazing. Last year, I needed a top case replacement for my Macbook because of the discoloration issue. I sent it in on a Tuesday and it was back on my porch Thursday (of the same week).</p>
<p>Roommate is drunk and spills beer on your computer while you're gone: Use AppleCare and get a new computer.</p>
<p>Same roommate is drunk again and stumbles into the room, pushing your computer off the desk, which dislodges the Airport wireless card: Use AppleCare, get wireless card replaced.</p>
<p>Travel 1500 miles away from ski trip, Airport wireless doesn't work: Call tech support and they set up time for you to go to Apple store in closest city and give directions and the whole she-bang.</p>
<p>No money changing hands at all, and the longest I've ever had to wait in-store while my computer was getting fixed was 20 minutes. That was for the beer incident, when they gave me a brand new fully updated computer and did a complete file transfer on the spot.</p>
<p>Cards4...It was my understanding that AppleCare didn't cover most of the things you mentioned (spills, drops, etc.). They told us it only covers malfunctioning parts (their fault...not yours or roomates).</p>
<p>Have any of you ever experienced the Macbook overheating and randomly shutting down or performing badly? What precautions or steps can I take to prevent such things from happening?</p>
<p>
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Have any of you ever experienced the Macbook overheating and randomly shutting down or performing badly? What precautions or steps can I take to prevent such things from happening?
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My computer crashed after it was old and had to much stuff on it... But that was pretty unavoidable. As for Macs overheating, that happens and there's not much you can do about it.</p>
<p>Yeah, you should probably get it if you plan on keeping your notebook for more than a couple years. How many years is it for? If it's 3+ years, it seems reasonable. Being able to take it to the Apple store is certainly something better than what the competition provides.</p>
<p>I intend on having my laptop for over 3 years, more like 5 years, but I doubt it will last that long. I'm kind of upset to hear that you cannot do anything about the overheating in the mac. I mean, when does the mac shutdown from too much overheating - 6 hours...4 hours? There's absolutely nothing that can be done about the overheating?</p>
<p>by the way, do any of you know some good mice for Mac since I'm getting a macbook. I saw a white one for $70, but I personally think thats too much. Maybe something around $20.00 or less.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I intend on having my laptop for over 3 years, more like 5 years, but I doubt it will last that long. I'm kind of upset to hear that you cannot do anything about the overheating in the mac. I mean, when does the mac shutdown from too much overheating - 6 hours...4 hours? There's absolutely nothing that can be done about the overheating?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>buy a notebook fan or prop the computer up off the table, don't run it on soft surfaces, undervolt the processor, apply better thermal paste, put additional heat sinks on the memory or wherever it might be useful, use a keyboard and leave an ice pack on top of the computer (works even better combined with a fan)...i'm sure you can find more ideas if you hunt around enough.</p>
<p>I doubt that you are gonna find any nice mouse for less than $20. Anything decent will run around $40 or more. (original retail price of course)</p>
<p>I got a replacement battery a couple weeks ago for free and there were absolutely no hassles whatsoever. Just a quick phone call, a few minutes doing a few tests, and they overnighted me a new battery.</p>
<p>As for .Mac, you get a free 60-day trial with your computer, so you can decide for yourself if you want to pay $100 for an email address. I let the trial expire because it wasn't all that useful to me.</p>
<p>I would say AppleCare is definitely worth it, IMO. My laptop is still going fine going into its 4th year. I upgraded one of the 256MB memory sticks to a gig over last winter break.</p>
<p>I also use a Mighty Mouse, with the 360 degree scroll wheel.</p>