I have written many times on the benefits of AppleCare and how it differs from those “extended warranties” that everyone tries to sell you. Back in June, Apple converted to AppleCare+ and now adding AppleCare+ is truly the smart move.
AppleCare+ was already out there for iPads, Watch and other Apple gear but June brought this feature to the Mac. We used to be measured by Apple on our AppleCare attach rate but now that is almost a moot point since most customers do opt for the new Applecare+.
All of the features of the original AppleCare were brought over to AppleCare+. Your hardware warranty is extended from 1 to 3 years and your toll-free technical support from Apple is extended from 90 days to 3 years as well. This comes in pretty handy when your college student is cramming for an exam and needs tech support NOW. Without AppleCare+ the first thing your student would provide is a credit card number. With AppleCare+ for 3-years they can call Apple and get help.
So, what is new about AppleCare+? Well, it is that ““ sign. AppleCare now covers accidental damage which is the most common problem we see when we are checking in Macs for repair. You will have to pay $99 for screen or external enclosure damage or $299 for other damage, however, if you spill that soda on your Mac you are looking at a logic board replacement at well over $500 if you do not have AppleCare+.
Let’s review each of the benefits of AppleCare+ for your Mac.
Late Night Tech Support
Okay, it might not always be late night but Apple is there to answer your questions 24/7 via chat or phone. Not for 90 days but for 3 years if you have AppleCare+
Apple Hardware Coverage
Your Mac is covered literally anywhere in the world for 3-years for both parts and labor. You can, in many cases for desktop Macs, request on-site service. For laptops you can mail them in or take it in to Small Dog Electronics or any Authorized Apple Service Provider. Or an Apple store if you must. This coverage extends not only to your Mac but also to:
- Battery
- Included accessories like the power charger
- RAM
- Airport base stations (if purchased within 2 years of your Mac purchase or while AppleCare+ is valid
- Apple USB Superdrive (who uses those anymore? I have one on my shelf)
Software Support
Is it a software or a hardware problem? This is a common dilemma. But since Apple makes the OS, many Apps and the Mac, too, your AppleCare+ covers the MacOS, iCloud and quick how-to questions on Apple Apps such as Photos, Pages, iMovie, etc. Don’t expect a long lesson but if you are running into a roadblock on using Keynote, for example, you can call up and get some advice. Connecting to your network and printers is also covered.
There is one important difference in buying AppleCare+ now. In the past, you had up to 1-year to buy AppleCare. We would send out reminder letters and many people did wait. But now, you have only 60-days to make that choice. Most people buy AppleCare+ with their Mac purchase because it becomes a bit of a hassle to buy it after the fact. You would either need to bring the Mac into Small Dog for inspection or set up a remote diagnostic with Apple.
Pretty much anything that goes wrong with your Mac is going to cost you more than AppleCare+ if you are not covered so that is what makes it so valuable. With all the liquid damage we have seen, I am so happy to have a better option for customers. Too many times we have had customers come in with liquid damage and be shocked at the cost to repair. Now, that wine spill will be capped at $299 with AppleCare+. I can have a different discussion now with customers when we show them that the moisture sensors have been tripped and there is the gooey sticky substance on their logic board despite their insistence that they did not spill.
The only thing that would make AppleCare+ better is if Apple would just include it with every Mac rather than asking you to buy. It is that essential to the Mac!