AppleCare Protection Plan for Portable Apple Computers 13 Inches and Below (OLD VERSION)

by Apple

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.5 x 5.3 inches ; 2.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002VWK4NI
• Item model number: MC246LL/B
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #63 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Warranties & Services
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 29, 2009

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Because Apple makes the hardware, the operating system, and many applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. And only the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you one-stop service and support from Apple experts, so most issues can be resolved in a single call. Extend the complimentary service and support on your Mac to three years from the original Mac purchase date with the AppleCare Protection Plan. You get direct telephone access to Apple experts for technical questions, and you get global repair coverage--including both parts and labor--for your Mac and select Apple peripherals.

This version of AppleCare covers purchases of Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air laptop computers with screens 13 inches and smaller.

 

One stop for technical support Direct access to Apple experts Global repair coverage (may be subject to certain restrictions) Mail-in repair for Mac notebook computers: Mail in your Mac using a prepaid shipping box provided by Apple (availability depends on the location of the Apple Authorized Service Provider; Apple may also request that the customer replace components with readily installable parts) Carry-in repair: Take your Mac to an Apple Retail Store or other Apple Authorized Service Provider Apple hardware coverage Your Mac computer Included accessories such as the power adapter Apple memory (RAM) AirPort Express Base Station, AirPort Extreme Base Station, or Time Capsule (must be purchased up to two years before your Mac purchase or during the term of your AppleCare Protection Plan coverage) Apple display purchased with your Mac Software support included Using Mac OS X* Quick how-to questions about iLife and iWork Connecting to printers and AirPort networks

** For Mac computers preconfigured with Mac OS X Server, the AppleCare Protection Plan covers server administration and network management issues using the graphical user interface of Mac OS X Server. For advanced server operation and integration issues, purchase Mac OS X Server Software Support.

Product Description

Because Apple makes the hardware, the operating system, and many applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. And only the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you one-stop service and support from Apple experts, so most issues can be resolved in a single call. Extend the complimentary hardware service and technical support on your Mac to three years from the original Mac purchase date. Local telephone fees may apply. Telephone numbers and hours of operation may vary and are subject to change. See terms at www.apple.com/legal/applecare/appgeos.html for full details.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Almost worth the price to get Apple Store employees to not nag you., January 24, 2010

By 

Kevin Nicholls "jaded, aging hipster" (Milford, MI) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AppleCare Protection Plan for Portable Apple Computers 13 Inches and Below (OLD VERSION) (Personal Computers)

Having owned several Macs over the past ten years, the decision to buy AppleCare has been varied for me.

On the 13" models, I think it's just about a requirement, especially if you have a plastic MacBook.

From the very first time you call Apple or talk to a Genius at an Apple Store, you're going to be pestered about AppleCare. Do you have it? Did you want it? You know what we gave you expires in XX days, right? Personal experience has shown me that having AppleCare makes them infinitely more apt to help you (even if you're within your factory warranty).

One misconception people often have about AppleCare is that it covers accidental damage. It most assuredly does not. HOWEVER, it does seem to induce Genii in an Apple Store to be somewhat forgiving on cosmetic repairs and accidental damage that could plausibly be caused by something else.

AppleCare also covers replacement batteries, which is fairly important. Since the switch from PowerBooks to MacBooks, I've yet to have a battery that lasted longer than about a year and a half. At what batteries cost, you'll recover about half the cost of AppleCare before your second year, and possibly more than that before the coverage is up. This in itself makes the cost of AppleCare a bit easier to swallow. The ability to walk in to an Apple Store and walk out with a new battery is also something that makes AppleCare a bit nicer than a SquareTrade warranty (although, I'm a huge fan of their warranties).

A final thought: Apple is (allegedly) starting to crack down on grey market purchases of AppleCare (e.g. ones where someone e-mails you a code and nothing else). Amazon usually has AppleCare at a nice discount from what you'd pay at an Apple Store, and in between what you'd pay at an Apple Store and an online auction. I'm rarely one to suggest paying more for something than you have to, but the peace of mind you get buying a legit warranty from Amazon really outweighs the few bucks you'll save buying on the grey market.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Applecare is a must to avoid expensive repairs within the 1st 3 years of ownership, January 24, 2010

By 

just me - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: AppleCare Protection Plan for Portable Apple Computers 13 Inches and Below (OLD VERSION) (Personal Computers)

Get Applecare if you buy a mac laptop. Logic boards and lcd screens can commonly go bad within 3 years and cost +$900 to fix without warranty at Apple. I've seen many laptop screens that start getting white spots that appear after 1 1/2 years old. Some example of Logic board failure are like firewire/USB/External video port don't work right, or after upgrading to new version OS(example 10.7 when it comes out) you computer doesn't boot or recognize the original OS on the restore disc (10.6), wheezing fan and constant freezes are some other logic board issues. I guess when all the dust collect inside it stops cooling and the logic board goes bad.

Other common parts that fail are the superDrive, cost about $350 without applecare at Apple. Hard Drive fail often and cost about $350 at Apple. More so on the lower macbook models I've notice Apple are now using Toshiba brand 5400 rpm hard drives in them. Every tech I know has a shoebox of failed Toshiba Hard Drive that came out a macbook. This is going to break just a mater of when.

Other part that normally get worn out but should be cover by Applecare. Such as the display hinge clutch. Every Mac I know that is more than a year old has some play in the screen hinge clutch. Worn hinge clutch also doesn't hold the screen open and tends to shut when holding the laptop straight upward This alone can cost $400 at Apple.

Trackpad and especially the clicker can get worn out. it goes flat and doesn't bounce back as when new. Not as resilient. This alone can cost $350 to fix at Apple.

See after a few repairs, Applecare pays for itself. I fix macs and I guess I just see a lot of broken macs all the time because I'm in the repair business. But all I said above is true and I'm not exaggerating.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Deal in Town, September 11, 2010

By 

CityBoi (Anaheim, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: AppleCare Protection Plan for Portable Apple Computers 13 Inches and Below (OLD VERSION) (Personal Computers)

My review is on two subjects: AppleCare and getting it through Amazon.

Well first off, If you already own an Apple product, you should know this is a must. For those who are new to Apple products, please know, this IS a must!! And Amazon.com is making it cheaper for you to retain this product. Apple is not your typical store purchase. Most of the time, people have a purpose for buying one and making sure that you have the protection it needs should be considered with it. From an iPod to an iMac, you're buying the latest in technology. What makes AppleCare so special, is that the Apple company gives you ONE year to decide on purchasing this protection and adding it to what ever it is (apple product) you bought. Generically speaking, most other places require you to purchase protection when you buy the product. Some even give you 90 days after purchase. With Apple products, you get One year from date of purchase of your Apple Product. Thats pretty good trust there. So even if you don't use it, it WILL give you peace of mind when having it.

Getting it through Amazon.com

I was a little hesitant at first. I was worried that I was going to get a code that wasn't going to work with my computer, but i was wrong. It worked like it should AND i paid almost $30 less then I expected too. Best part was, I asked for 2 day delivery, and got it the next day! Not sure if I live close to the shipping location, but i was VERY impressed on how smooth everything went. You can bet I will be buying my AppleCare here from now on.