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

(Prototype credit: Henry T. Casey)

I simply spent $2,799 on a new MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021), and then you might not be surprised to hear that I wasn't going to only let that investment become unprotected. This means I was also going to buy some AppleCare, the warranty coverage that guarantees you repairs and support (including against incidents of adventitious damage).

Unfortunately, I was slightly dislocated past the options presented. Apple gives you not ane, just two, ways to purchase AppleCare Plus For Mac, and both left me asking questions. Your options, as presented at checkout, are "Annual coverage until cancelled" for $99.99 per year and "iii years of coverage" for $279.

Instead of simply thinking about the curt-term protection, and moving on, I started wondering about how it all works. This is probably because I think of a laptop (specially one this expensive) as a long-term projection. And so I dove in to the complexities of it all to figure out the ins and outs of AppleCare Plus for the Mac.

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Annual AppleCare Plus for Mac explained

	Annual AppleCare Plus for Mac	three-year AppleCare Plus For Mac
Price	$99 per year	$279
Option to renew	Annually	You tin switch to almanac plan after three years
What'south included?	24/7 support, Apple tree-certified repairs (including mail-in for MacBooks)	24/7 support, Apple tree-certified repairs (including mail-in for MacBooks)
Adventitious impairment protection	Upward to ii incidents every 12 months	Up to 2 incidents every 12 months

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

When I outset tried to get help from Apple tree support via text and telephone representatives, I talked with some people who were a bit unsure. One seemed to think it could go on indefinitely, and another started talking virtually monthly payments. I started to wonder if in that location was a new Apple tree I subscription parcel tier that I hadn't heard of (AppleCare Plus for the iPhone has a $9.99 per calendar month option).

(Prototype credit: Apple)

When I started poking around Apple's own site, I found the following linguistic communication on this page about Extend your AppleCare Plus coverage:

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

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

Once a device's repair parts are no longer around, a slice of Apple hardware becomes "vintage," (Alison's discussion) the timing tin can vary greatly, but California law requires Apple to permit for "service and parts may exist obtained for longer, as required by law or for upwards to vii years." subject to parts availability. The window for a extended battery-just repair is wider, as Apple tree claims "up to ten years."

The three-twelvemonth AppleCare Plus for Mac explained

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

And while the checkout page at Apple didn't explain this, you volition be able to move to the annual AppleCare Plus for Mac plan one time you're out of this three-yr window.

For what it'southward worth, I went with this plan. My last MacBook Pro lasted 9 years, simply required some maintenance along the fashion, so I know I will to have support for at least the side by side 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 iii-year plan, it will just end at the stop of that time (though you could reach out to Apple to switch to almanac).

If you lot choose to abolish your plan, it will stop when you terminate service.

But if your AppleCare must end considering of the parts issues mentioned in a higher place, you will exist informed well-nigh it within threescore days. So, you volition be given a prorated refund based on the amount of fourth dimension left in your program.

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

• Read adjacent: Check out our MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch) review

Henry is a senior editor at Tom's Guide roofing streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past 6-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also 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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