Would the MacBook still be coverred?

October 18, 2007 8:54 AM

If I buy an Apple laptop in the US, will my warranty still be valid in Canada?

The Canadian dollar is doing well, but no one up here seems to have adjusted their prices to reflect this. As such, the price for a MacBook Pro in the US is anywhere from $200-$400 cheaper than it is up here in Canada.

It's to the point where even crossing the border with it, declaring the purchase and paying the taxes, I come out ahead.

However, my question is this: Can I buy the MacBook Pro in the US, bring it to Canada, and still have a valid warranty? Does this apply to the Apple protection plan as well?

posted by smitt to computers & internet (7 comments total)

Should be. I bought an ibook in Canada and it died while I was in the UK. The UK apple store fixed it with my warranty, no questions asked. Don't think country of purchase really matters.
posted by meerkatty at 9:01 AM on October 18, 2007

The FAQ says the answer is yes:

What does “global repair coverage” mean?

If you take your Apple hardware with you when you travel and happen to need repair service, the AppleCare Protection Plan offers global repair coverage. You can either go to an Apple retail store or contact Apple for information on how to obtain service. Service will be limited to the options available in the country where service is requested. Service options, parts availability, and response time vary according to country. Please see the AppleCare Protection Plan Terms and Conditions for complete details.

posted by veggieboy at 9:06 AM on October 18, 2007

Be aware that "AppleCare" is the add-on warranty, not the one you get automatically just by buying it. The factory warranty may not be global, if that's one of the things they're advertising as a benefit of buying AppleCare.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:26 AM on October 18, 2007

Apple warranties are worldwide. They make no distinction about where you purchased something. Even without AppleCare.
posted by TravellingDen at 9:33 AM on October 18, 2007

I have an actual example. I bought mine in Atlanta, moved to Toronto, it shat and they fixed it under warranty.

No quibbles, no raising of an eyebrow.

You're good.
posted by Brockles at 9:43 AM on October 18, 2007

when i worked for Apple, we were instructed to tell non US residents purchasing machines that the limited 1 year warranty would be covered under the US warranty, but purchasing the AppleCare Protection Plan from a store in their home country would cover them for 3 years locally.

Its my understanding that if some from Japan for example, purchased a computer in the US and took it home, the machine would be covered, but they would have to ship it back to the US for repair (or visit their nearest Apple Retail location). If they were to purchase the AppleCare from either the Japanese Apple site or an Apple Reseller in Japan, then they would get local support that didn't involve shipping the machine overseas. I'm not sure whether the local support meant dropping the machine off at a local Apple Authorized repair center or shipping it to the nearest official Apple repair depot, but it seems like either way the turn around time would be a lot lower when compared to shipping it back to the US.

Shipping from Canada to the US isn't really a huge deal, but if you want to be safe, buy the AppleCare from any of the four Apple Retail Stores in Canada or from the Apple Online Canada Store and you'll be covered in your home country.

The "Global Repair Coverage" discussed by veggieboy is if you are traveling to a foreign country, not if you reside there.


.//chris
posted by hummercash at 10:11 AM on October 18, 2007

So it seems like my best bet is to buy the laptop in the US, take it back with me, and buy AppleCare from a local Apple Store.

Thanks for the responses!
posted by smitt at 10:35 AM on October 18, 2007