First of all, I would like to apologize about the lack of posts. Despite the fact that I am on winter break currently, I have been working with my father, so my time has been quite sparse. That said, below is a post that was originally supposed to be two different posts, but since the topics are so related, I combined them. Here goes!
I’ve said (and typed) it before and I’ll say (and type) it again – I love Apple. There are lots of reasons why, but this week I found yet another one. Last Tuesday, in the late afternoon, I sent my MacBookPro to Apple for repair of the CPU hiss (now acknowledged by Apple). The computer worked just fine, but since I have high standards for my machines (pronounced a-n-a-l), I sent it in. The computer is less than a year old, and is therefore covered by the one year manufacturer’s warranty (see below).
The computer arrived in Texas the next day (I could track repair progress online), repaired, and shipped back to me. I received it Thursday morning, a full one and a half days after I had sent it (amazing). What’s more, when I opened the box, I received a pleasant surprise.
Before I sent my MBP to Apple, there was only one cosmetic problem with my MacBookPro – I accidentally rubbed off part of the metallic coating on the strip below my keyboard. I don’t know how it came off, but the discoloration really annoyed me. However, since this distortion was of my own doing and therefore not covered by the one year warranty, I could not ask Apple to fix it. However, when I opened that box that day, not only had they fixed my CPU (new logic board), but they had also replaced the distorted part below the keyboard. They also managed to replace my worn trackpad, spacebar, and top outer case). It was unexpected, un-asked for, and completely generous. Now my computer is like new, no hiss, AND no distortions.
Now that I’m done praising Apple with anecdotal evidence, I want to offer some suggestions about purchasing a new Mac. When you are lucky enough to be in the Apple Store purchasing a brand new Mac, you will probably be asked any number of questions by the sales representative – however, you can definitely count on being asked the following two questions:
- Are you interested in purchasing AppleCare for your new Mac in order to protect your purchase with an extended warranty??
- Are you interested in purchasing Dot Mac for your new Mac in order to enhance its capabilities and give you a variety of helpful online tools??
Let me first address these questions together: You won’t need either immediately, if at all. Now let me address them separately:
AppleCare is an extended warranty. While extended warranties are helpful in some (rare) situations, the vast majority of them are a large waste of money. However, since early adopter warnings do not seem to work for some people (like me), one would still argue that its always good to be protected. Although that’s true, what the Apple sales team rarely mentions is that for the first 90 days, you get complimentary technical support from Apple. Also, and more importantly, for the first year from your purchase date, you get free hardware repairs. I have taken full-fledged advantage of Apple’s free year of repairs, and have sent in my Mac several times already to fix little issues here and there (see above).
What is even more interesting is that Apple states that their AppleCare Plan extends your support to THREE years from the original purchase date. However, you get the first year free anyway, so in reality, when you buy AppleCare, you are purchasing two years of extended warranty, not three. Basically, I would recommend that any decisions about AppleCare for a new Mac be made a little less than a year after purchase, since you will not be purchasing anything you’re not getting with your new Mac anyway.
The same can be said about Dot Mac (.Mac). The Apple sales team does a very good job selling people .Mac with their new computer, but in reality, there is no need rush to purchase .Mac. Some would argue that .Mac is a complete waste of money that should come with every new Mac anyway, and although I would agree completely, I still would like to offer this bit of advice for those interested in .Mac: you don’t, by any means, have to purchase it at the time of new Mac purchase. In fact, the second you start up your new Mac, you will be asked if you would like a free 60 day trial of .Mac, whether you purchased it for a year or not. You can also activate your free trial any time after that too! Basically, I recommend that any decisions about purchasing .Mac be made only after you have tried the service for free for 60 days. Even then, if you’re considering purchasing .Mac, check out some alternatives before buying anything.
Happy Purchasing, and Holidays 🙂