[Mallrat]

Hello, here are my questions about Applecare.

• When you buy a new computer you get 1 year support, so Applecare does you no good right? For the first year, the service is the same right? I know Applecare gives you phone support past 90 days, but I"m talking about the 1 year warranty.

• How far can you go with Applecare? I accidenlty dropped a picture frame and it put a small hole in my screen, and broke my casing. Would you be able to get this fixed if you had Applecare?

• Can you send your computer to Apple even if you are unsure about a problem? Say everything works okay, but you just want a new keyboard, can you complain that the keyboard doesn't work? Can you say your screen keeps going in and out, even if it isn't? I mean maybe you aren't trying to scam them at all, but your computer is angry and you don't know why. Can you just send it in?

• I heard many people say that they get new batteries all the time. But what proof do you need ot give them that the old one is dead?

• It seems that you can buy Applecare anytime before your 1 year warranty expires. I guess that means you have to first register your computer? I realized I've never done that. I probably still have my registration card to my ibook. Could I sent that in now and have my one year warranty kick in, even thought my ibook is the first dual 500 usb one and it obviously 2 years old?

• I noticed that you can just buy Applecare at many places, sometimes cheaper. I assume it's the same thing regardless if you buy it from Apple or Smalldog or MadMall.

These are my main questions. Just trying to figure out if Applecare is right for me. I hate nothing more than to have to deal with people on the phone and fight with them.

If it's a simple, state problem, send it out, they fix it and send it back, that sounds great.

thanks for all your help and putting up with my questions.

[Maflynn]

When you buy a new computer you get 1 year support, so Applecare does you no good right? For the first year, the service is the same right? I know Applecare gives you phone support past 90 days, but I"m talking about the 1 year warranty.

Yes its the same, it extends the one year warrenty to three, and as you mentioned it gives you free phone support beyond the 90 days.

How far can you go with Applecare? I accidenlty dropped a picture frame and it put a small hole in my screen, and broke my casing. Would you be able to get this fixed if you had Applecare?

Technically no because that's not a defect, that was a problem caused by the user but in reality it depends on who looks at it, they may just give you another case, its a gamble.

Can you send your computer to Apple even if you are unsure about a problem? Say everything works okay, but you just want a new keyboard, can you complain that the keyboard doesn't work? Can you say your screen keeps going in and out, even if it isn't? I mean maybe you aren't trying to scam them at all, but your computer is angry and you don't know why. Can you just send it in?

First off they like other companies typically don't give you new equipment but refurbished and if the technician is on the ball they would test it if no problem is found it wouldn't be replace, if the tech wasn't you may get a replacement.

Secondly, if your keyboard works why would you want another one especially if you get a refurbished one.
eventually if you keep complaining about things that aren't broken apple will catch on and void the applecare (I beleive they have that right).

Sounds like you want to use applecare to keep you equipment new or at least up to date which goes beyond the scope of applecare, its an extended warrenty nothing more. If you computer is working other then a few bumps and bruises from normal use be content with it and enjoy.

Mike

[Mallrat]

Sounds like you want to use applecare to keep you equipment new or at least up to date which goes beyond the scope of applecare, its an extended warrenty nothing more. If you computer is working other then a few bumps and bruises from normal use be content with it and enjoy.


I was just wondering if this is what others do... from reading the posts it sounds like people get basically rebuilt computers all the time using applcare and batteries are like free candy.

To me, that's one hell of a cool perk.

There is now a hole in my screen and a crack in my case, and if applecare would have fixed that, they may not you say, that would be so great and worth to buy for my next computer.

[TheIceMan]

Mallrat:

Check out Safeware Insurance. For like $83/yr. they will cover accidental damage, like dropping things and cracking your screen. I don't even have AppleCare. I come to MacNN for that!

[mrmister]

"from reading the posts it sounds like people get basically rebuilt computers all the time using applcare and batteries are like free candy."

I think it works *something* like this, but remember--it's a gamble. You don't want to send your notebook in for work and have it come back more f*cked up than when it went in.

They will happily trade batteries for you--I find AppleCare is worth it for that alone, as batteries are expensive, and after a year and a half you'll need a fresh battery to get anywhere near a decent charge.