Ab Work Outs: AppleCare Protection Plan for Portable Apple Computers 13 Inches and Below Review

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(More customer reviews)Please note, this version of the Applecare Protection Plan is only for the Macbook and the Macbook Pro 13".

The Macbook Pro 15" and 17" are covered under another version of the Applecare Protection Plan - AppleCare Protection Plan MC247LL/A - For Portable Apple Computers 15 Inches and Above

The Applecare Protection Plan - an expensive but necessary requirement if you buy an apple laptop.

Why is it a requirement? Because Apple doesn't make the hard drives or the logicboards (motherboards) or the processors or the DVD burners inside their machines. Apple sources its parts from component manufacturers like Seagate, Nvidia, Intel, Sony etc etc. These parts just like all electronic components can and may fail after a period of time. Once a part fails, Apple is generally known to charge extremely high fees to repair or replace parts.

For example - Motherboards - $800 to $1200. Superdrive replacement - $200 to $300. LCD screen replacement - $500 to $600) It's better to be pay for Applecare once than pay Apple exorbitant repair fees every time a part fails.

Basically, the A.P.P. is a 2 year warranty extension to your apple laptop (that comes with a one year hardware warranty), it provides unlimited phone support and hardware diagnosis. It also offers Mail-in repair for Mac notebooks using a prepaid shipping box provided by Apple and service by an apple store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

The A.P.P. also gives you global repair coverage so if a hardware issues arises while you're in another country and there's an Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider near by, you can take your mac in for diagnosis and repair.

It does not offer any sort of damage protection or on-site repair.

Please remember to buy the A.P.P. if you plan to do so before the first year of ownership is up. If you bought your machine on X Date 2009 - buy the A.P.P.before X Date 2010. Apple will not honor an A.P.P. policy bought even 2 days after the first year is over (in most cases unless you get lucky and speak to a friendly agent on the phone willing to relax the rules a bit)

Just like before, I HATE to be recommending an extended warranty, but it's a necessary evil. There is no guarantee that something will go wrong with your expensive mac notebook after the first year but if something does go wrong after the first year, it's better to be covered by the A.P.P. and avoid paying those exorbitant repair/replacement costs.

NOTE - Don't buy Applecare from Apple. Look around - there are good deals to be found at Authorised Apple resellers and other legit online outlets. Amazon used to be one of the best places to purchase an A.P.P. from but sadly, Amazon has raised it's price also. It used to sell the A.P.P. for 192 / 199 dollars, but has now increased the price to 232 dollars and it's been stuck there for a while. I have no idea why Amazon raised the price but you should buy when the price is low or a price correction occurs. Hope this helps :) UPDATE - As of today - July 15 2010 - Amazon is again selling Applecare for $191. That's $57.28 (23%) off the retail price when compared to buying Applecare from an Apple store. Now would be a good time to buy.

Hope this helps!

Click Here to see more reviews about: AppleCare Protection Plan for Portable Apple Computers 13 Inches and Below

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 Macs (13.3 inches and smaller; MC258LL/A) extends the complimentary coverage on your MacBook or MacBook Pro to three years of world-class support. The plan includes expert telephone assistance, global repair coverage, onsite repairs for desktop computers, web-based resources, and TechTool Deluxe from Micromat--all for one economical price.
This comprehensive AppleCare Protection Plan covers your MacBook or MacBook Pro, as well as an AirPort Extreme Card, an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Apple RAM purchased for your MacBook or MacBook Pro.

Extend your coverage to three years of service and expert telephone technical support.
Apple Hardware Coverage
The AppleCare Protection Plan provides global repair coverage, both parts and labor, from Apple-authorized technicians around the world. Apple hardware coverage includes:

One Stop for Technical Support
Because Apple designs the computer, 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. Here's what you get:

Software Support Included
Whether you're sitting in the comfort of your home or office or on the go, you can get direct access to Apple experts for questions on a wide range of Mac topics, including:

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

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.