Anyone been using an iMac for over 3 years? - GoFuckYourself.com

CurrentlySober · 04-22-2011, 04:27 AM

If so, any problems with the hardware?

My 1st year of use is approaching fast, and I'm wondering if its worth me purchasing the 'applecare' which gives me a further 2 years warrantee on the hardware?

I dont need the 'online support' side of it. Just the warrantee, but then when I think I have a Sony VAIO laptop (A good make) that hasn't gone wrong in over 4 years... So whats the likelihood of mine going wrong ?

Did yours?

Chris · 04-22-2011, 04:29 AM

im on year 3 right now and havnt had a single issue

only thing I am noticing tho is that the harddrive is startting to get real sluggish and loud

so that is prob gonna fail soon and i dont think apple care covers that

DamianJ · 04-22-2011, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

im on year 3 right now and havnt had a single issue

only thing I am noticing tho is that the harddrive is startting to get real sluggish and loud

so that is prob gonna fail soon and i dont think apple care covers that

Applecare certainly covers a hard drive, also, I always assume a HDD is not going to make it to three years old and swop out any that are that age for new ones.

As to the OP, I'd be tempted. Having got an iMac here that has just had the wifi card crap out on me.

L-Pink · 04-22-2011, 04:37 AM

I've been a mac user for more than 10 years. Currently have a mac pro for photo/video work and an imac for surfing the web. The only problems I have ever had (knock on wood) is hard drive failure.

Chris · 04-22-2011, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamianJ

Applecare certainly covers a hard drive, also, I always assume a HDD is not going to make it to three years old and swop out any that are that age for new ones.

As to the OP, I'd be tempted. Having got an iMac here that has just had the wifi card crap out on me.

okay....just looked over my policy book that i got when i first bought it.

Yes it does cover hard drive replacement at an apple approved repair shop. Most of your local mac stores can not do hard drive replacement so you will have to send it in to apple and it says it should be about 6 weeks to repair. They also can not save data for you.

3 years having this imac im ready for a newer one so if it was to die out now i dont think id mind spending the 1300 for a new one

Hunter_ST · 04-22-2011, 04:47 AM

It's insurance. If you aren't comfortable making repairs, buy the insurance.
The only time you'd be really screwed without it is if the motherboard or onboard video dies.

I've had a bad hard drive and power supply on a mid-2007 24-inch iMac. Replaced them on my own, though. Uses a regular hard drive and a power supply from a Mac parts supplier online.
I was able to upgrade the HD when I replace it on my own, which was nice.
The power supply blew because I was using a standard UPS, rather than one that generates a pure sine wave output (google "PFC power supply UPS") if you aren't aware of the difference.

If the motherboard had blown, I'd have bought a new iMac and moved on with work the same day using the Time Machine backup.

We've had about 7 iMacs over the years and they are largely reliable, but just like Toyotas you may find that you need to do repairs, no matter how reliable.

L-Pink · 04-22-2011, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

okay....just looked over my policy book that i got when i first bought it.

Yes it does cover hard drive replacement at an apple approved repair shop. Most of your local mac stores can not do hard drive replacement so you will have to send it in to apple and it says it should be about 6 weeks to repair. They also can not save data for you.

3 years having this imac im ready for a newer one so if it was to die out now i dont think id mind spending the 1300 for a new one

Chris, any Apple store will replace a hard drive in a day or so.

.

CurrentlySober · 04-22-2011, 06:05 AM

Thanks for the input guys.

I think I'm just gonna go ahead and get it anyway. Working it out, its less than 20 pence a day (About 33 cents)

20 pence a day for peace of mind is nothing, and I dont mind paying it...

MaDalton · 04-22-2011, 06:17 AM

on my biz partners imac the screen failed after 1.5 years and along with that they also replaced the HD. on my macbook pro part of the backlight is broken after 3 years - if you ask me, from what i also read on apple boards, their stuff fails a lot considering how much money it costs. but they just announced a record revenue and profit...

sologirlcontent · 04-22-2011, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

im on year 3 right now and havnt had a single issue

only thing I am noticing tho is that the harddrive is startting to get real sluggish and loud

so that is prob gonna fail soon and i dont think apple care covers that

going on 4th year..no problems...yet..but their will be and I'll be ready to trash it like that last one that lasted aprox 3 years..i'll never go back to MAC..they are not that "hot" brand anymore and no cheap software for them..pc are now slicker, cheaper, freeware...fuck it

candyflip · 04-22-2011, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

okay....just looked over my policy book that i got when i first bought it.

Yes it does cover hard drive replacement at an apple approved repair shop. Most of your local mac stores can not do hard drive replacement so you will have to send it in to apple and it says it should be about 6 weeks to repair. They also can not save data for you.

3 years having this imac im ready for a newer one so if it was to die out now i dont think id mind spending the 1300 for a new one

I just had an hdd replaced under warranty at a small authorized Mac repair shop. Took all of 15 minutes.

potter · 04-22-2011, 07:26 AM

I've had: iMac (still do actually at work), powerbook, macbook, macbook pro (currently on), powermac, and macpro.

Not had a single issue yet except the battery died on the powerbook about 3 years into it (it was plugged in and running 24/7 pretty much for those 3 years which their batteries weren't built for back then).

I definitely wouldn't worry about it, specially only after a year. I don't actually get applecare on any of my computers from them, it's insurance - and their stuff is usually great and doesn't die anyway (and sometimes if it does it's still covered under warranty).

Chris · 04-22-2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L-Pink

Chris, any Apple store will replace a hard drive in a day or so.

.

both austin texas ones told me no they cant

alexchechs · 04-22-2011, 08:22 AM

I've been working on mine for over 3 years and it runs fine. I have never had to re-format it or anything. I always have about 8-10 programs running and has hardly ever crashed

nico-t · 04-22-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamianJ

Applecare certainly covers a hard drive, also, I always assume a HDD is not going to make it to three years old and swop out any that are that age for new ones.

in my desktop pc i have an 11 year old and a 6 year old hdd and theres nothing wrong with them... so hdd's can be used much longer than 3 yrs

react · 04-22-2011, 08:42 AM

Might be more important with a laptop. I've had a couple of Mac laptops fail with logic board issues in years 2-3. Consider putting stuff on an AMEX, they double manufacturer warranty.

digitaldivas · 04-22-2011, 09:11 AM

knock on wood, been on mac since 1996 and have never had a comp die. I ran the shit out of my 600mhz imac, 1 Ghz emac, 1.9 Ghz imac and currently on my 3 Ghz imac.

DamianJ · 04-22-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nico-t

in my desktop pc i have an 11 year old and a 6 year old hdd and theres nothing wrong with them... so hdd's can be used much longer than 3 yrs

I don't recall saying they *couldn't* be used past three years.

However all hard drives will die. 100% failure. No doubt about it. There are two types of people in this world, those that have had hard drives die on them and those that are going to.

But 11 years old! Jesus man! You're brave!

scuba steve · 04-22-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

Thanks for the input guys.

I think I'm just gonna go ahead and get it anyway. Working it out, its less than 20 pence a day (About 33 cents)

20 pence a day for peace of mind is nothing, and I dont mind paying it...

not sure how it is in the UK, but my motherboard went out on my 3 year old macbook pro a few months ago, took it to the apple store to get fixed. estimate was $1100, they fixed it for free. no idea why, but i had another friend have a similar situation a month later, same problem, fixed free. i think apple is trying to retain customers, and with some of the more expensive things they are eating it to keep customers happy

DBS.US · 04-22-2011, 09:34 AM

I never buy additional insurance/warrantee

If you buy it, You betting your equipment is going to break, the vender is betting it's not.

woj · 04-22-2011, 09:40 AM

it's just a computer, if it breaks it was probably time to buy new one anyway

you guys are paying $200 for warranty for a 3 year old computer that is worth maybe $500?

jimmy-3-way · 04-22-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

If so, any problems with the hardware?

My 1st year of use is approaching fast, and I'm wondering if its worth me purchasing the 'applecare' which gives me a further 2 years warrantee on the hardware?

I dont need the 'online support' side of it. Just the warrantee, but then when I think I have a Sony VAIO laptop (A good make) that hasn't gone wrong in over 4 years... So whats the likelihood of mine going wrong ?

Did yours?

BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT. BUY IT.

Shit happens and when it does it's expensive.

I was fucking with some cables and rearranging my stereo on my desk, I dropped the RCA cable coming out of my Mac, it bounced once and landed on my power strip, shorting out the sound card on the logic board. A one in a million shot.

1 butter fingers move cost me $700.

Amputate Your Head · 04-22-2011, 09:57 AM

I've got a three year old iMac, and the only thing that has happened was HDD failure. I replaced it myself in about 15 minutes.

Also got a 3 year old MacBook Pro and a 2 year old MacBook Pro.... no problems of any kind.

04-22-2011, 04:27 AM	#1
CurrentlySober Too lazy to wipe my ass Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: A Public Bathroom Posts: 38,522	Anyone been using an iMac for over 3 years? If so, any problems with the hardware? My 1st year of use is approaching fast, and I'm wondering if its worth me purchasing the 'applecare' which gives me a further 2 years warrantee on the hardware? I dont need the 'online support' side of it. Just the warrantee, but then when I think I have a Sony VAIO laptop (A good make) that hasn't gone wrong in over 4 years... So whats the likelihood of mine going wrong ? Did yours? __________________ My AI Handywork... My Dream Gal... XXX 👁️ 👍️ 💩

04-22-2011, 04:29 AM	#2
Chris Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: May 2003 Location: icq: 71462500 Skype: Jupzchris Posts: 27,880	im on year 3 right now and havnt had a single issue only thing I am noticing tho is that the harddrive is startting to get real sluggish and loud so that is prob gonna fail soon and i dont think apple care covers that __________________ [email protected]

04-22-2011, 04:47 AM	#6
Hunter_ST Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Getting messy... Posts: 763	It's insurance. If you aren't comfortable making repairs, buy the insurance. The only time you'd be really screwed without it is if the motherboard or onboard video dies. I've had a bad hard drive and power supply on a mid-2007 24-inch iMac. Replaced them on my own, though. Uses a regular hard drive and a power supply from a Mac parts supplier online. I was able to upgrade the HD when I replace it on my own, which was nice. The power supply blew because I was using a standard UPS, rather than one that generates a pure sine wave output (google "PFC power supply UPS") if you aren't aware of the difference. If the motherboard had blown, I'd have bought a new iMac and moved on with work the same day using the Time Machine backup. We've had about 7 iMacs over the years and they are largely reliable, but just like Toyotas you may find that you need to do repairs, no matter how reliable. __________________ Splosh Cash Wet and Messy Fetish Program I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.

04-22-2011, 06:05 AM	#8
CurrentlySober Too lazy to wipe my ass Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: A Public Bathroom Posts: 38,522	Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm just gonna go ahead and get it anyway. Working it out, its less than 20 pence a day (About 33 cents) 20 pence a day for peace of mind is nothing, and I dont mind paying it... __________________ My AI Handywork... My Dream Gal... XXX 👁️ 👍️ 💩

04-22-2011, 06:17 AM	#9
MaDalton I am Amazing Content! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 39,822	on my biz partners imac the screen failed after 1.5 years and along with that they also replaced the HD. on my macbook pro part of the backlight is broken after 3 years - if you ask me, from what i also read on apple boards, their stuff fails a lot considering how much money it costs. but they just announced a record revenue and profit... __________________ AmazingContent.com - providing only the best content and service since 2003 Monetize your content on Veegaz.com - one of Germanies largest VOD sites Got German traffic? We convert it into money for you! Skype: madalton02826 - Email: oltecconsult [at] gmail [dot] com

04-22-2011, 04:37 AM	#4
L-Pink working on my tan Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida/Kentucky Posts: 39,151	I've been a mac user for more than 10 years. Currently have a mac pro for photo/video work and an imac for surfing the web. The only problems I have ever had (knock on wood) is hard drive failure.

04-22-2011, 07:26 AM	#12
potter Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Denver Posts: 6,559	I've had: iMac (still do actually at work), powerbook, macbook, macbook pro (currently on), powermac, and macpro. Not had a single issue yet except the battery died on the powerbook about 3 years into it (it was plugged in and running 24/7 pretty much for those 3 years which their batteries weren't built for back then). I definitely wouldn't worry about it, specially only after a year. I don't actually get applecare on any of my computers from them, it's insurance - and their stuff is usually great and doesn't die anyway (and sometimes if it does it's still covered under warranty). __________________

04-22-2011, 08:22 AM	#14
alexchechs Confirmed User Join Date: May 2008 Location: BROOKLYN!!! Posts: 3,474	I've been working on mine for over 3 years and it runs fine. I have never had to re-format it or anything. I always have about 8-10 programs running and has hardly ever crashed __________________ Alex Chechs http://thefawnconspiracy.com

04-22-2011, 08:42 AM	#16
react Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NZ Posts: 673	Might be more important with a laptop. I've had a couple of Mac laptops fail with logic board issues in years 2-3. Consider putting stuff on an AMEX, they double manufacturer warranty. __________________ -- react

04-22-2011, 09:11 AM	#17
digitaldivas ..I Heart Cannibal Corpse Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: California Posts: 4,327	knock on wood, been on mac since 1996 and have never had a comp die. I ran the shit out of my 600mhz imac, 1 Ghz emac, 1.9 Ghz imac and currently on my 3 Ghz imac. __________________ ...

04-22-2011, 09:34 AM	#20
DBS.US Geo Cities Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: North Captiva Island, Florida USA Posts: 11,830	I never buy additional insurance/warrantee If you buy it, You betting your equipment is going to break, the vender is betting it's not. __________________ Make a Free Chaturbate White Label site in 34 minutes and be making money tonight

04-22-2011, 09:40 AM	#21
woj <&(©¿©)&> Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 47,882	it's just a computer, if it breaks it was probably time to buy new one anyway you guys are paying $200 for warranty for a 3 year old computer that is worth maybe $500? __________________ Custom Software Development, email: woj#at#wojfun#.#com to discuss details or skype: wojl2000 or gchat: wojfun or telegram: wojl2000 Affiliate program tools: Hosted Galleries Manager Banner Manager Video Manager Wordpress Affiliate Plugin Pic/Movie of the Day Fansign Generator Zip Manager

04-22-2011, 09:57 AM	#23
Amputate Your Head There can be only one Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Somewhere else Posts: 39,075	I've got a three year old iMac, and the only thing that has happened was HDD failure. I replaced it myself in about 15 minutes. Also got a 3 year old MacBook Pro and a 2 year old MacBook Pro.... no problems of any kind. __________________ SIG TOO BIG