Getting AppleCare for my new MacBook Pro 2022 was surprisingly confusing

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Getting AppleCare for my new MacBook Pro 2021 was surprisingly confusing

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

I just spent $2,799 on a new MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021), so yous might not exist surprised to hear that I wasn't going to just allow that investment go unprotected. This means I was likewise going to buy some AppleCare, the warranty coverage that guarantees you repairs and support (including against incidents of adventitious damage).

Unfortunately, I was slightly confused by the options presented. Apple gives you non one, only 2, means to buy AppleCare Plus For Mac, and both left me asking questions. Your options, as presented at checkout, are "Almanac coverage until cancelled" for $99.99 per twelvemonth and "iii years of coverage" for $279.

Instead of just thinking well-nigh the short-term protection, and moving on, I started wondering about how it all works. This is probably because I recollect of a laptop (especially one this expensive) as a long-term project. And so I pigeon in to the complexities of information technology all to figure out the ins and outs of AppleCare Plus for the Mac.

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Almanac AppleCare Plus for Mac explained

	Annual AppleCare Plus for Mac	3-yr AppleCare Plus For Mac
Cost	$99 per year	$279
Option to renew	Annually	You can switch to almanac programme after three years
What's included?	24/7 support, Apple tree-certified repairs (including mail-in for MacBooks)	24/vii support, Apple-certified repairs (including mail-in for MacBooks)
Accidental harm protection	Upwardly to two incidents every 12 months	Upward to two incidents every 12 months

The proverbial sirens started flashing in my brain once I'd read "Annual coverage until cancelled," because of the lack of explanation of ii things. "Who is doing the canceling?" I wondered, earlier thinking "how long can this coverage concluding?"

When I beginning tried to get help from Apple support via text and telephone representatives, I talked with some people who were a chip unsure. I seemed to call back it could go on indefinitely, and another started talking about monthly payments. I started to wonder if at that place was a new Apple One subscription bundle tier that I hadn't heard of (AppleCare Plus for the iPhone has a $ix.99 per month option).

(Image credit: Apple tree)

When I started poking around Apple's ain site, I plant the following language on this folio nearly Extend your AppleCare Plus coverage:

If you lot paid upfront for an AppleCare+ plan for your Mac, yous might be able to purchase new coverage that renews annually.

So, I went out to my local Apple store, set an appointment up and expected answers, which I really got. The knowledgable Alison explained that Apple tree devices can stay in AppleCare, as long every bit Apple'south still got the parts necessary.

Once a device'south repair parts are no longer around, a piece of Apple tree hardware becomes "vintage," (Alison's word) the timing tin vary greatly, only California police force requires Apple to allow for "service and parts may be obtained for longer, every bit required by police force or for up to 7 years." subject to parts availability. The window for a extended battery-only repair is wider, every bit Apple claims "upward to 10 years."

The 3-year AppleCare Plus for Mac explained

This is simpler. Apple gives y'all $30 off for buying three years of AppleCare Plus for Mac up front end.

And while the checkout page at Apple didn't explicate this, you will be able to move to the almanac AppleCare Plus for Mac programme once you're out of this three-year window.

For what it'southward worth, I went with this plan. My last MacBook Pro lasted 9 years, but required some maintenance forth the way, so I know I volition to have support for at least the next three years.

How Annual AppleCare Plus for Mac ends

All that said, there's the matter of how your AppleCare Plus for Mac plan ends. If you have the three-year programme, it will only stop at the cease of that fourth dimension (though you could accomplish out to Apple tree to switch to annual).

If you lot choose to abolish your program, it will finish when yous terminate service.

Just if your AppleCare must stop because of the parts issues mentioned to a higher place, you will be informed near it within 60 days. Then, you will be given a prorated refund based on the amount of fourth dimension left in your plan.

This is understandable and all, just I just wish this was all a little more clearly inked out on Apple's website.

• Read next: Cheque out our MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch) review

Henry is a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple tree, reviewing devices and services for the by half-dozen-plus years. Prior to joining Tom'southward Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's too covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/getting-applecare-for-my-new-macbook-pro-2021-was-surprisingly-confusing

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