No, the EU thing is the MINIMUM all countries need to comply to. Most do more.Then I stand corrected and Italy got there own deal. The European 2 year "warranty" (really 6 month garanteed and 18 month warranty everyone tries to scirm out of) is in no way comparable to Apples deal.
Here in Holland the duration is specified as "reasonably expected lifetime of a product"; in case of a computer and other electronics devices ~3 years. In case of a washing machine, 7-8 years.
Burden of proof is rather simple: if the product isn't obviously damaged and the consumer claims it was used normally, it assumed the cause of the defect to be present at purchase if it seizes to function within the expected life and therefor required to be repaired free of charge. If the seller wants to get out of it, THEY will have to prove the customer is lying.
Mind you, warranty is provided by the SELLER, not the MANUFACTURER. As such, the limited manufacturer warranty is essentially for the seller. Of course in the case of Apple, it can be both the seller and the manufacturer. But as consumer you only have 1 party to deal with, and one alone: the company that sold you the product.
The fact you have 90 days of free phone support with Apple if you buy one of their computers is therefor pure service. Applecare should also be seen as a way of extending that service, not as warranty. It also makes dealing with the seller more easy if there are problems as they will always try to wiggle themselves out of things that cost them money, which makes it even better service from Apple.
There is a difference between being right, and being done right. Legal warranty can help you with the first, Applecare can help with the second by bypassing the seller and going straight to Apple.
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