The graphics card in my macbook pro failed, which happens at a "higher than normal" rate. Apple agrees that's the problem. Still, they want me to leave my hard drive in the computer when I give it to them for repairs. How diligent are they about protecting your data from theft and ill-use? If data on your hard drive somehow gets set free while visiting apple-land, it doesn't violate the Applecare terms of service (pdf). "[apple is not liable for...] the failure to maintain the confidentiality of data" (section 4). In section 7f, "You agree that any information or data disclosed to Apple under this Plan is not confidential." My hard drive is backed up, but I don't want to risk someone having access to all my personal info. Should I put up a fight? [more inside]
posted by manduca on Nov 12, 2009 - 16 answers

I now own a MacBook Pro 17". And now I have some questions relating to MacOS and Windows 7, hardware upgrades and getting Applecare-on-the-cheap. [more inside]
posted by Effigy2000 on Nov 11, 2009 - 19 answers

Should I get my aging, computer-clumsy mother an iMac, or just buy her a bigger screen for her Windows machine? [more inside]
posted by Joe in Australia on Sep 2, 2009 - 35 answers

What's the Bay Area equivalent of TekServe? [more inside]
posted by NucleophilicAttack on Aug 23, 2009 - 5 answers

My PowerBook G4 17in, with the dreaded W85 serial number is displaying (or rather not) a white 1.25in vertical block down the left side. [more inside]
posted by fontophilic on Mar 16, 2009 - 6 answers

MacFilter: Question regarding servicing and Apple Authorised Service Partners [more inside]
posted by gkhewitt on Sep 12, 2008 - 6 answers

How can I get Apple to REALLY fix my computer? (Previously) [more inside]
posted by Xurando on Aug 10, 2008 - 8 answers

Two, almost certainly related problems: My MacBook has taken to turning itself off while still showing as having a high battery charge. It has turned itself off while showing it at 36 minutes of battery time left. coconutBattery says that my current battery capacity is only at 54% of the original. Anything I can or should do about this? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp on Apr 5, 2008 - 12 answers

How best to purchase a Mac for a German friend visiting the US? [more inside]
posted by felix betachat on Jan 1, 2008 - 10 answers

My problem with my Apple remote is just getting weirder [more inside]
posted by snarfois on Dec 30, 2007 - 5 answers

My apartment was burgled and my Macbook was stolen. Can I transfer my old AppleCare account and iTunes library (or at least iTunes purchases) to a new Macbook? [more inside]
posted by mdonley on Dec 20, 2007 - 5 answers

Spilled milk in my MacBook's keyboard, and the technician at Apple suggested I bend the rules to get it fixed or replaced. What does my warranty cover, anyway? [more inside]
posted by gazole on Dec 7, 2007 - 17 answers

I'm disappointed with the service I'm getting from an Apple authorised repair centre. Where do I go from here? [more inside]
posted by snarfois on Dec 4, 2007 - 11 answers

Is the AppleCare Protection Plan a "make-it-or-break-it" add-on when purchasing an Apple laptop? Even one that gets low usage? [more inside]
posted by Gordion Knott on Oct 22, 2007 - 25 answers

the optical drive in my powerbook G4 has separated, sayeth the genuis, but i didn't buy applecare for my now 19-month old computer. there seem to be a few options, but i don't know which to try. advice, please! [more inside]
posted by twistofrhyme on Sep 12, 2007 - 4 answers

Where to send Macbook Pro for hard drive upgrade? [more inside]
posted by colecovizion on Sep 6, 2007 - 18 answers

Stolen ibook, email from Apple about recent call to Apple Support...think I have a chance? [more inside]
posted by thisisnotkatrina on Jul 21, 2007 - 7 answers

It was failing, but now it's not? Wednesday morning, I woke up to my Powerbook stalling. I got the beachball of doom when I tried to log in from sleep and it lasted 20 minutes, so I powered off and rebooted. On reboot, it took 30 minutes plus to load to the desktop, and my desktop icons didn't appear. I held the book to my ear and heard it -- yes, the "click of death." [more inside]
posted by SpecialK on May 31, 2007 - 9 answers

My 13-month-old MacBook Pro broke. Can you guess? Yeah, the AppleCare warranty had just expired. The fan made a horrible "playing card in the bicycle tire spokes" sound for about 60 seconds, then stopped forever. [more inside]
posted by evariste on May 20, 2007 - 25 answers

Upgrading RAM on my MBP: 3rd party RAM and warranty issues [more inside]
posted by GleepGlop on Apr 23, 2007 - 17 answers

Macbook (not Pro) hissing at me and crackling at mewhen I open it. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by 4ster on Apr 14, 2007 - 16 answers

Refurbished Mac: Good idea? Bad idea? [more inside]
posted by contessa on Feb 2, 2007 - 42 answers

One of my G4 iBook's hinges has a crack and it's spreading. Should I be worried? Is there likely to be any hassle getting it fixed under warranty? [more inside]
posted by mce on Dec 11, 2006 - 3 answers

Is Apple Care worth the money in the UK? [more inside]
posted by ClanvidHorse on Dec 6, 2006 - 8 answers

I'm buying my wife a MacBook. Should I also buy AppleCare? [more inside]
posted by C.Batt on Nov 26, 2006 - 32 answers

Should I try to get my MacBook Pro fixed through Applecare, even though I broke it myself? Has anyone heard of Apple allowing you to trade-in and upgrade? [more inside]
posted by likeSoy on Nov 15, 2006 - 14 answers

iBook trackpad problems: after cleaning with a barely damp cloth, my trackpad is all jumpy. Reboots and trying to "massage" the trackpad haven't helped. Any other home remedies for this? [more inside]
posted by jbb7 on Nov 5, 2006 - 4 answers

Will I be at any disadvantage if I buy the most basic of the Macbooks? What would I NOT be able to do that I might have to do? This would be my first laptop, I'm on a limited budget (less than $1300), and I live both inside and outside the United States, so I have a few (sub-)questions. [more inside]
posted by mdonley on Sep 24, 2006 - 17 answers

Death of an iBook. A couple hours ago, in the exact instant that I pushed the button to turn off my iBook G4, the iBook made a weird sound, its power was cut out immediately and abruptly went dead in a split-second (instead of the usual, slower process). It doesn't restart. It doesn't. Batteries are OK, by the way. Two questions: how bad is it, is it just electrical or the hard disk has been damaged as well? Also, I have put a lot of expensive software (Photoshop CS, Toast Titanium, Office, etc) in it. I still have the cd's and serial numbers, will I be able to reinstall them when the iBook's been fixed? It is still under guarantee, it's 7 months old. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by matteo on Nov 1, 2004 - 11 answers

So I've had an Apple G5 for exactly 1 year and a week. My warranty ran out 5 days ago and of course my computer died yesterday. What to do? (MI) [more inside]
posted by jeremias on Oct 3, 2004 - 20 answers

I'm thinking about buying a Thinkpad (work related) and wanted to know if anyone had any experience with IBM's "depot repair" warranty option. Worth the extra money, or not so much? Also, does anyone know if you can purchase an extended warranty after you've purchased the laptop and used it for a while? Or, put more succinctly; "How does IBM's warranty program compare with Applecare?"
posted by alan on Sep 5, 2004 - 5 answers