Exactly. I was last quoted about 150, but the price has increased since.

We can only go by this trend and assume the worst.

I’m increasing my budget to 3000-5000usd for 5 years. This is an insane amount.

Is there a.more premium brand than apple to look at? For this money I expect fast video work, run most AI models etc. The inconvenience of having to replace a battery and no ability to take the SDD out for privacy is not something I want to pay m3 prices for. What competes with apple at the top end these days? I could consider a top end gaming laptop

Exactly. I was last quoted about 150, but the price has increased since.

We can only go by this trend and assume the worst.

I’m increasing my budget to 3000-5000usd for 5 years. This is an insane amount.

Is there a.more premium brand than apple to look at? For this money I expect fast video work, run most AI models etc. The inconvenience of having to replace a battery and no ability to take the SDD out for privacy is not something I want to pay m3 prices for. What competes with apple at the top end these days? I could consider a top end gaming laptop

But I thought applecare only goes for 3 years max?

But I thought applecare only goes for 3 years max?

Thank for reminding me of aldente :) I wanted to use it but it’s a bit crippled on Intel. So that should help in this area 👍👍

Thank for reminding me of aldente :) I wanted to use it but it’s a bit crippled on Intel. So that should help in this area 👍👍

I’m afraid to say that I think it’s a combination of luck and 3rd party refurb guys guarding their secrets.

Also, Batteries don’t really ship, so you have to state your country and post in a refurb forum specific to your country.

For me, I was able to get a more reliable search by going as direct to battery manufacturers as I could. But if you’re outside of a country that makes batteries, it’s a total crap shoot because suppliers typically don’t sell the volume needed to check their stock via sourcing verification.

In other words, AFAIK this is a crap shoot.

I’m afraid to say that I think it’s a combination of luck and 3rd party refurb guys guarding their secrets.

Also, Batteries don’t really ship, so you have to state your country and post in a refurb forum specific to your country.

For me, I was able to get a more reliable search by going as direct to battery manufacturers as I could. But if you’re outside of a country that makes batteries, it’s a total crap shoot because suppliers typically don’t sell the volume needed to check their stock via sourcing verification.

In other words, AFAIK this is a crap shoot.