Macbook Pro vs Macbook Air

Good luck getting Core to service the ebay special should anything go wrong.
 
Apple has an international warranty.
Yes, but if you buy grey market they, Core, will most likely turn you down flat. If you by through an authorised apple reseller, like I believe you did with your MBP, then you're covered. Core might ask questions but you have your original apple receipt.
 
Yes, but if you buy grey market they, Core, will most likely turn you down flat. If you by through an authorised apple reseller, like I believe you did with your MBP, then you're covered. Core might ask questions but you have your original apple receipt.

I will ask the seller if he can send me an Apple receipt, far as I know he would have bought it from Apple?
 
I will ask the seller if he can send me an Apple receipt, far as I know he would have bought it from Apple?
I doubt he'll want to send you the original, or even a copy of it, but good luck.
 
Oh man, one can only wonder how this will end.
Chances are nothing will go wrong with the MBA in which case no worries. Of course that doesn't rule out something like a drive recall - which could be problematic for a grey import.
 
Chances are nothing will go wrong with the MBA in which case no worries. Of course that doesn't rule out something like a drive recall - which could be problematic for a grey import.

Would I also have a problem if I wanted to purchase Apple Care?
 
Well I thought I might get it to extend the warranty.
Why? Doubtless you'll be hankering after the 15" MB-whatever in a couple of months. Who ever buys your MBA can look into extending the warranty.
 
Watch out for customs!
You'll pay VAT.

Yes, but if you buy grey market they, Core, will most likely turn you down flat. If you by through an authorised apple reseller, like I believe you did with your MBP, then you're covered. Core might ask questions but you have your original apple receipt.
In my experience they try to get out of covering the warranty and even recalls/known defects if you don't buy it from them.
 
Chances are nothing will go wrong with the MBA in which case no worries. Of course that doesn't rule out something like a drive recall - which could be problematic for a grey import.

You're probably right with that assertion.
However, I have a macbook that's out of applecare since a few months. I've had the bottom case replaced twice due to the wristpads cracking, the bezel on the lcd once. A direct result of the magnets cracking the case. I've replaced 4 power bricks, of which 1 apple replaced under warranty because it stopped working after about 3 weeks. Guess I'll have to wait and see if applecare is worth it or not. I'll only replace my machine once large ssd are affordable or when I cleared the cruft in iTunes, iPhoto and Aperture. Until then hope nothing breaks.
 
Core is obliged to fulfil International Warranty claims (grey import or not) and they dont necessarily need to see your receipt. With the serial number they can trace it's sale information, to determine when it's warranty was activated.
My guess is that the Ebay seller is obtaining Macs via some irregular means. Possibly it's an Education discounted unit and he's pocketing the difference.
I would ask the seller:
- how he's obtained it?
- when the the warranty expires? it may already have been activated if he's bought it retail.
- If he's obtained the mac irregularly, what type of receipt will he issue?

Also be sure that the seller specifies exactly what the package's contents are and it's true value. SA customs has the right to confiscate goods for the most trivial discrepancies on a customs form. If confiscated, you'll either have to pay a hefty fine or potentially never see your goods.

Re apple care - It can be purchased anytime up until your one-year warranty expires.
From my experience over nearly 20 years of owning Macs, you have about a 1 in 7 chance of making a warranty claim during it's 2nd or 3rd year. But considering that the MBA's have no moving parts (optical drive or hard drive), your chances of needing apple care most certainly are slimmer.
 
This one from consumer reports:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...lectronics/overview/buying-electronics-ov.htm

It looks like consumers will be buying fewer warranties this year to extend coverage on electronics items beyond the manufacturer’s standard term. That’s partly because of the growing awareness of just how reliable many electronics products are, said a spokesman for the Consumer Electronics Association, an industry trade group.

Our repair histories confirm that repair rates are low overall, though some brands have a worse reliability record than others. But even in the unlikely event that a repair is required after the manufacturer’s warranty expires, the bill for the repair is often comparable with the typical cost of an extended warranty, our survey respondents report.

Our advice applies equally to some new extended warranties with innovative twists, including Best Buy’s Premium Black Tie plans, which add extras such as tech support and free online backup of your images with a digital-camera plan. We think you’d be better off buying those extras à la carte as you need them.

If you use certain credit cards, including American Express cards and some gold and platinum cards from other companies, you can double the manufacturer’s warranty at no cost. Some retailers might extend a warranty as well. Costco, for example, extends the manufacturer’s warranty on TVs and computers to two years from the purchase date, at no cost to you.
 
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