Debating on the Applecare with the new iMac. Can anyone say what the average lifespan is for an LCD? Do they fade with time? Any other issues?
The backlight is the part of the LCD most prone to failure ( breaks/blows ). Replacing the backlight is very expensive ( buy a new LCD expensive ). The rate of failure on the backlight is high enough that many manufacturers do not cover it in extended warranties ( although that is improving ).
Apple care does cover the backlight.
My experience with Applecare is that I have used it multiple times, each time the repair cost would have exceeded the cost of Applecare.
However, I dont buy Applecare for desktops, only for laptops. I personally feel that if a desktop can make it through the first year, it should manage a couple more ok. Laptops ( and other mobile devices ) are subjected to much harsher use.
Finally, you can buy Applecare anytime in the first year. If you buy it near the end of first year you get an extra years worth of coverage ( Applecare is 3 years from time of purchase ), and the opportunity to see what has been going wrong with other peoples iMacs.
I'd say an average life span, (if you take good care of it) would be7-10years max. This is granted it made with quality components, and everytime your using it, the monitor it'self is turned off, instead of just having a screen saver or black screen. (even having a black screen up can still damage your LCD if up long enough it will "burn" some what like CRT's do.
Comments
Originally posted by mivaldes
Debating on the Applecare with the new iMac. Can anyone say what the average lifespan is for an LCD? Do they fade with time? Any other issues?
The backlight is the part of the LCD most prone to failure ( breaks/blows ). Replacing the backlight is very expensive ( buy a new LCD expensive ). The rate of failure on the backlight is high enough that many manufacturers do not cover it in extended warranties ( although that is improving ).
Apple care does cover the backlight.
My experience with Applecare is that I have used it multiple times, each time the repair cost would have exceeded the cost of Applecare.
However, I dont buy Applecare for desktops, only for laptops. I personally feel that if a desktop can make it through the first year, it should manage a couple more ok. Laptops ( and other mobile devices ) are subjected to much harsher use.
Finally, you can buy Applecare anytime in the first year. If you buy it near the end of first year you get an extra years worth of coverage ( Applecare is 3 years from time of purchase ), and the opportunity to see what has been going wrong with other peoples iMacs.
it extends the base warranty from one year to three so with you are effectively buying two more years... mmmpie is incorrect (about this point)...