· Neville Denness · Tutorials · 4 min read
Is AppleCare+ Worth It? Mac Repair Costs vs Warranty Guide 2025
AppleCare+ costs £199-£399 but saves £600+ on logic board repairs. Compare warranty options vs repair costs for MacBook & iMac owners in East Sussex.
Quick Answer: AppleCare+ costs £199-£399 for 3 years but can save you £600+ on a single logic board repair. For most Mac users, it’s worth every penny.
AppleCare+ vs Repair Costs: The Numbers
| Mac Model | AppleCare+ Cost | Logic Board Repair | Screen Repair | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air 13” | £199 (3 years) | £500-£600 | £300-£400 | £300+ |
| MacBook Pro 14” | £279 (3 years) | £600-£800 | £400-£500 | £320+ |
| MacBook Pro 16” | £399 (3 years) | £700-£900 | £500-£600 | £300+ |
| iMac 24” | £169 (3 years) | £400-£600 | £300-£500 | £230+ |
Repair costs include parts + £50-£150 labour in East Sussex
When AppleCare+ Makes Financial Sense
After 25+ years repairing Macs in Lewes, I’ve seen the pattern: expensive repairs happen just after warranty expires. Here’s when AppleCare+ pays for itself:
✅ Definitely Worth It If You:
- Use your Mac daily for work
- Travel frequently with your laptop
- Have children or pets around your workspace
- Keep Macs for 3+ years
- Can’t afford a £600+ unexpected repair bill
❌ Skip AppleCare+ If You:
- Upgrade Macs every 1-2 years
- Use basic models (Mac mini, entry MacBook Air)
- Have comprehensive household insurance covering accidental damage
- Keep multiple backup computers
Real Repair Costs in East Sussex (2025 Prices)
From my Lewes workshop, here’s what Mac repairs actually cost:
MacBook Pro Repairs:
- Logic board replacement: £600-£800 + £100 labour
- Screen replacement: £400-£600 + £80 labour
- Keyboard replacement: £200-£350 + £60 labour
- Battery replacement: £150-£200 + £50 labour
iMac Repairs:
- Logic board: £400-£600 + £100 labour
- Screen: £300-£500 + £120 labour
- Power supply: £150-£250 + £60 labour
AppleCare+ Alternative: £79 excess for screen damage, £229 for other damage.
AppleCare+ 2025 Pricing & Coverage
Annual vs 3-Year Plans:
- MacBook Air 13”: £69.99/year or £199 for 3 years (save £10)
- MacBook Air 15”: £79.99/year or £229 for 3 years (save £11)
- MacBook Pro 14”: £99.99/year or £279 for 3 years (save £21)
- MacBook Pro 16”: £149.99/year or £399 for 3 years (save £51)
What’s Covered:
✅ Hardware defects (extended from 1 to 3 years)
✅ Accidental damage (2 incidents per year)
✅ Battery service (when below 80% capacity)
✅ 24/7 priority support (phone, chat, email)
✅ Express replacement (next-day delivery in most areas)
Excess Fees:
- Screen/external damage: £79
- Other damage (logic board, liquid, etc.): £229
Alternative Warranty Options
John Lewis 2-Year Warranty
- Cost: Free with purchase
- Coverage: Hardware defects only (no accidental damage)
- Best for: Careful users wanting extended manufacturer warranty
Household Insurance
- Coverage: Often includes accidental damage and theft
- Excess: Usually £50-£250
- Drawback: May increase premiums, affects no-claims bonus
My Concierge Warranty Service (Lewes & East Sussex)
Dealing with Apple warranty repairs can be frustrating. I offer a complete concierge service:
What I Handle:
- Diagnosis: Quick fault identification using Apple diagnostics
- Data backup: Secure your files before repair
- Apple liaison: All communication with Apple support
- Transport: Collection and delivery to Apple Centres
- Data security: Separate user accounts, secure wipes when needed
Service Areas:
- Lewes, Ringmer, Brighton, Eastbourne
- All of East Sussex
- Remote diagnosis available UK-wide
Cost: £50 + travel (usually saves 4-6 hours of your time)
The Hidden Costs of No Warranty
Beyond repair costs, consider:
Business Impact:
- Downtime: 5-10 days without your Mac
- Data risk: Potential file corruption during repairs
- Productivity loss: £100s per day for professionals
- Temporary replacement: Rental costs £30-50/day
Stress Factors:
- Multiple phone calls to Apple support
- Travel to distant Apple Centres
- Uncertainty about data safety
- Surprise repair bills
Real Customer Stories
Case 1: Brighton Creative Agency
- Issue: MacBook Pro 16” logic board failure after 18 months
- With AppleCare+: £229 excess, repaired in 3 days
- Without: £850 total cost, 10-day turnaround
Case 2: Lewes Small Business
- Issue: Coffee spill on MacBook Air keyboard
- With AppleCare+: £79 excess, keyboard replaced
- Without: £380 total (keyboard + cleaning + labour)
When to Buy AppleCare+
Timeline:
- New Mac: Within 60 days of purchase
- Existing Mac: Only if still under original 1-year warranty
- Missed deadline: Consider John Lewis warranty for future purchases
Pro Tip:
Set a calendar reminder 50 days after Mac purchase - don’t miss the window!
My Honest Recommendation
As someone who repairs Macs daily, AppleCare+ is worth it for most users. The math is simple:
- One major repair = AppleCare+ pays for itself
- Peace of mind = priceless
- Priority support = time saved
Exceptions: Basic users with simple needs and comprehensive insurance coverage.
Ready to Protect Your Mac Investment?
Get AppleCare+: Apple’s Official AppleCare+ Page
Need Repair Advice?
- Email: support@spurdotech.co.uk
- Phone: 01273 985310
- Book: Schedule a consultation
Serving: Lewes, Ringmer, Brighton, East Sussex & UK remote support
About the Author: Neville Denness is an Apple Certified technician with 25+ years experience repairing Macs. Based in Lewes, East Sussex, he provides honest advice to help Mac users make informed warranty decisions.
Updated: April 2025 | Next Review: October 2025
