I know I have talked about AppleCare before but a refresher is needed for all of our new readers. I am always very skeptical of the “extended warranties” that are sold by most stores and car dealers. Usually they are overpriced, full of exclusions and simply not worth the bucks. So, why is AppleCare different? I think if you consider AppleCare just as an extended warranty you are missing the boat!
Yes, AppleCare does take the 1-year Apple Warranty on new and factory-refurbished Macs and make it 3 years, but it also does a lot more! Most significant is the extended free technical support from Apple. Apple’s technical support has won numerous awards and covers not only your Mac but also the Mac OS, questions about iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. If you bought an AirPort base station or Time Capsule, USB SuperDrive or Apple Display, it covers those items too, for 3 years of hardware and software support.
Take it from me, I do not know of very many out-of-warranty repairs that cost less than the cost of AppleCare. So many times customers come in with issues that would have been covered by AppleCare but they had not purchased it so we have to give them the bad news.
One other thing to keep in mind as you consider AppleCare: AppleCare provides global coverage so even if you are far afield in another country you are protected!