AppleCare Protection Plan - For Portable Apple Computers 15 Inches and Above

Apple Care is a MUST I've been a Mac owner since 1992 and am still a completely satisfied customer. Apple is AWESOME when it comes to Apple Care usage. Back in 2001 I sent in my G4 Powerbook for a logic board fix due to the old "pixel flicker" problem, and not only got ...

Format : CD Publisher : Apple Computer Company : Apple List Price: $349.00 Our Price: $279.00 You Save: $70 (21%)

Features

• Extend repair and telephone support coverage of your portable Apple computer (15 inches and above) to three years
• Onsite service for desktop computers (not available in all areas)
• Provides dedicated access to web-based support resources and powerful diagnostic tools
• AirPort Extreme Card, AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Apple RAM included the coverage
• Can be added at any time during the computer's one-year Apple hardware warranty

Product Description

AppleCare Protection Plan MA515LL/A for MacBook Pro with or without display - 3 Year Plan

Amazon.com Product Description

Every Mac comes with 90 days of telephone support and one year of service coverage at an Apple-authorized repair center. The AppleCare Protection Plan for portable Apple computers 15 inches and above (MA515LL/A) extends the complimentary coverage to three years of world-class support. The plan includes expert telephone assistance, global repair coverage, web-based resources, and TechTool Deluxe from Micromat--all for one economical price.

This comprehensive AppleCare Protection Plan covers your 15 inch and larger MacBook/MacBook Pro, as well as an AirPort Extreme Card, an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Apple RAM purchased for your portable Apple computer. You can also register one Apple display for coverage, provided the Mac and display are purchased together.

Extend your coverage to three years of service and expert telephone technical support.

One Number to Call for Help
Get direct telephone access to Apple's own technical support group, the people who know your system best. Because Apple creates the computer, the operating system, and many built-in applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. Just one phone call can help resolve most issues with your Mac because AppleCare representatives can help troubleshoot Apple hardware, the Mac operating system, and many Apple consumer applications, including iLife, iWork, Jam Packs, iChat AV, Mail, Safari, iCal, iSync, AppleWorks, and QuickTime.

Convenient Repair Options
The AppleCare Protection Plan ensures that Apple-certified technicians will perform repairs using genuine Apple parts. With this plan, parts and labor will be covered for three years from the date of purchase of your Apple computer, two years beyond the one-year limited warranty. This plan includes global repair coverage, which can be very important if you travel abroad.

Coverage Information
The AppleCare Protection Plan is subject to terms and conditions, which are provided on the AppleCare Protection Plan website.

• To qualify for the AppleCare Protection Plan, your product must be within its one-year Apple hardware warranty.
• A separate AppleCare Protection Plan must be purchased for each Apple system to be covered.
• Mac mini, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro/MacBook Air/MacBook customers may also enroll one Apple display for coverage, provided that the Mac and the display are purchased together.
• Global repair coverage is included.
• This AppleCare Protection Plan covers an AirPort Extreme Card, an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Apple RAM are included in the coverage of the computer with which they are used.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan anytime?

You can purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan anytime within the one-year limited warranty period. Your eligibility for coverage under the AppleCare Protection Plan starts from your hardware purchase date. Apple strongly recommends that you purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan when you purchase your Apple product to maximize the additional benefits provided under the plan.

What service options does the AppleCare Protection Plan offer?

Apple may provide service through one or more of the following options: carry-in service (to Apple retail stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers), direct mail-in service, onsite service (for desktop computers), or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) parts (so you can service your own product).

What does "global repair coverage" mean?

If you take your Apple hardware with you when you travel and happen to need repair service, the AppleCare Protection Plan offers global repair coverage. You can either go to an Apple retail store or contact Apple for information on how to obtain service. Service will be limited to the options available in the country where service is requested. Service options, parts availability, and response time vary according to country. Please see the AppleCare Protection Plan Terms and Conditions for complete details.

When I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan, do I need to register it?

If you purchase your AppleCare Protection Plan and your covered product separately or elsewhere, you will need to register your AppleCare Protection Plan. Your AppleCare Protection Plan coverage starts from your hardware purchase date. Registering your AppleCare Protection Plan at a later date does not extend your coverage.

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Customer reviews

Apple Care is a MUST by .. Christa (Sacramento, CA)
I've been a Mac owner since 1992 and am still a completely satisfied customer. Apple is AWESOME when it comes to Apple Care usage. Back in 2001 I sent in my G4 Powerbook for a logic board fix due to the old "pixel flicker" problem, and not only got it back in 3 days, but also got a new top case (where you rest your hands/trackpad) and they replaced my missing feet for free and without request! (The feet cost about $50 a set, and the top case is roughly $250.)

In 2006 I sent in the same G4 Powerbook for another logical board fix (5 years of heat abuse bent the logic board) I again received quick service and replacement feet.

I've also used Apple Care to get new chargers for my laptops. (Mine tend to short out after a few years as I use my laptops 10+ hours a day, 7 days a week, and take them EVERYWHERE with me). I've also gotten brand new replacement iPods with my Apple Care if they've had any drive problems (e.g. from dropping them).

The customer service people are friendly (for call center/customer service people), they have very quick shipping and the procedure as a whole is pretty effortless as far as tech support goes.

Apple Care is ABSOLUTELY worth the money. If there are ANY bugs in your computer, Apple will fix them at no additional cost, with speedy service. If you buy a Mac, you MUST buy Apple Care. It can be a life saver!

(Tips: 1) If you buy any 3rd party hardware for your computer, always take it OUT before taking it to a Mac Genius or sending it to Apple. They do not support 3rd party hardware. 2) ALWAYS back up your computer before you take it/send it in to avoid their backup fee.)

amazon issue by .. JOACHIM (California USA)
The product is very good because the apple people are very responsive.

My issue is with Amazon: I bought my macbook pro on 4/4/07 and apple care sent me an ending date of jan/10 - which is about 3 months short of the 3 years I paid for.
Upon contacting apple, they indicated that the start date for the apple care plan is the date when amazon purchased the computer and not when the amazon customer purchases the computer. Buyer beware - ask the question about the purchase date when you buy.

AppleCare Replaced my Powerbook G4 with a new MacBook Pro by .. HS (New York, NY)
The backlight sensor on my PB G4 (2.5 years old) became defective and I sent it to Apple to fix under AppleCare. The sensor was backordered and after several weeks I called to complain that it was taking too long to fix. I spoke with a Supervisor who said that since the sensor was backordered and they could not fix the PB G4 in a timely fashion they would give me a new MacBook Pro instead. They shipped me the MacBookPro several weeks ago (latest version and not refurbished) and then they sent me my PB G4 so I could transfer the files and then after deleting files I sent the PB G4 to Apple (all shipping was at Apple's expense). I must say that I was really impressed.

Real life experience by .. G. Ware Cornell Jr. (Weston FL)
You've got a new MacBook Pro. Let's face it, it wasn't cheap. The standard 90 day telephone support / one year warranty seems pretty long. Buying a protection plan seems like unnecessary expense. These things work incredibly well and are incredibly reliable.

So what do you need Applecare for?

Well first of all your MacBook Pro is going to last a lot longer than one year. I have had my 17" MBP for over two years and it runs like it is just out of the box (try saying that about any Windows notebook). But it is a computer. It has moving parts. It is in other words a mechanical device. Any mechanical device can fail.

Now someone posted a review that said Applecare isn't insurance. That reviewer is right. But it is a very generous warranty. I have sent my MBP in three times (twice to my local Apple Store which can do repairs locally many times) and once to the service center. Only one problem was critical-a dead display. The others were for issues I had taken to the Genius Bar only to learn that I needed replacement parts. One was a HD issue (even though the HD was working) and the other was a keyboard problem. Total cost? Zero dollars.

My stepson has the same model MBP as I do, and got his at the same time. He did not buy Applecare and so far has been very lucky. But he did have a dead display which was initially slated to go to the Service Center for repair at a cost around the same as Applecare. Fortunately the store opened the case before shipping it out and found a loose connection. The cost for cracking the case and pushing a wire into a slot? $80 (still a lot cheaper than a trip to the Service Center).

So bite the bullet and get Applecare. It may not be insurance but it certainly is peace of mind.

Already proven worthwhile... by .. N. Mcaleavey (Voorheesville, NY United States)
I picked up the Applecare for the laptop based on the positive experience I had with my MacPro. I had a problem with the Airport card, they sent someone to the house who disassembled the machine, changed the card and reassembled the computer once again without leaving any spare hardware out! The computer's wireless has worked flawlessly since. Called on Thursday afternoon, computer was repaired on Monday. Seeing how this is how problems get handled, if you're going to spend for Apple, get the service contract. It's sooo worth it!