Malcolm Owen
Apple has expanded its AppleCare+ extended warranty service to cover the Mac range, with the quiet update expanding the warranty period for Mac users to three years, as well as covering two incidents of accidental damage to both the desktop Mac and MacBook product families.
Working in a similar fashion to versions for iPhone and iPad, AppleCare+ for Mac extends the service and telephone technical support periods to three years, up from one year and 90 days respectively. This includes access to Apple experts via chat or phone, and global repair coverage for the device.
While Apple has previously provided AppleCare for Mac, the change to AppleCare+ brings Mac systems in line with Apple's mobile devices, in that it covers accidental damage. The coverage is offered for up to two such incidents, with each subject to a service fee of $99 for damage to the screen or the external enclosure, plus tax, while other types of damage will cost $299 per incident.
For desktop Macs, AppleCare+ provides on-site repair, with a technician visiting the user's work site for support, while MacBook users are able to mail in their computer for servicing using a prepaid shipping box provided by Apple. There is also the option of taking the affected Mac or MacBook to an Apple Store or other Apple Authorized Service provider for repairs.
Covering both parts and labor, the global repair coverage is said to include the Mac itself, the battery, included accessories, Apple memory, AirPort, and the Apple USB SuperDrive, among other items.
The cost of AppleCare+ for Mac varies between devices, between $99 and $379, and is being offered on the MacBook, MacBook Air, 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Pro. Customers can acquire AppleCare+ at the time of buying their new Mac, though they can also buy coverage within 60 days of the purchase.
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13 Comments
Very nice! As someone who gets Mac laptops for a K-12 school, this is huge! Its not worth buying AppleCare for Mac laptops (which we never get). Before, it just wasn't worth spending $3500+ on AppleCare for a lab of Macs. We've needed to send maybe 3, maybe 4 of our Macs back for repair in the 6yrs we've been using Macs, both of which were well under $3500 for the cost to repair them.
I'm sure college students will also find this as a great addition.
This is huge for people with laptops. I think my sister will for sure get this on her next MacBook Pro ... which is good because she always uses her accidental damage repairs. I only ever use the warranty for actual problems that arise ... she once tacoed her iPad with the seat of her car as she pushed it back ... I feel sorry for her Apple products. They cry out to me to save them when I see her. (Other people claim they can't hear the cries ... but they are real.)
Fuck. This would've covered my keyboard, but I'm at 100-ish days.
Wow!
Guess Apple felt they needed to throw us a bone for killing Magsafe.