Advice on service contracts for Mac support please

[CortexRock]

Looking for opinions on the best way to get bought-in service for a Mac Pro/MacBook set-up in an otherwise all-PC environment please.

My ICT department want assurance that I have a service support contract in place before they will even consider purchasing 'non-standard' hardware.

I'm looking for either an AASP who provide ad-hoc call outs for a set fee, or a 24 hour response based on an annual retainer fee.

Any suggestions welcome - thanks!

 

[Consultant]

Apple Care
Three years of service and expert telephone technical support.
http://www.apple.com/support/products/proplan.html

 

[CortexRock]

Thanks, but I was looking for something a bit more constructive than a link on the Apple website.

AppleCare is fine for home, but I need a service where I can speak to someone who speaks and understands English clearly, not someone with an unintelligible accent in a call centre in the middle of who knows where.

And I also need next day on-site service (minimum) as physically taking hardware to an Apple Store or AASP isn't an option.

There are a couple of AASPs in my area who I'm approaching for further information - really looking for any pros who have good service cover from a UK company and are willing to share.

 

[crees!]

AppleCare is fine for home, but I need a service where I can speak to someone who speaks and understands English clearly, not someone with an unintelligible accent in a call centre in the middle of who knows where.

I've NEVER had anyone with an unintelligible accent. You must be used to Dell's service, eh?

 

[CortexRock]

The last time I used the AppleCare support line, the guy's accent was so thick I honestly couldn't understand him. Ended up taking my problem direct to the Genius Bar at my nearest Apple store - broke protocol and everything, as I didn't know I needed to make an appointment at the time!

The only other IT guys I have to speak to on a regular basis are in my office, so no real issues there - apart from the fact that I'm fighting tooth and nail to get my Mac Pro under the desk instead of the lousy HP box I'm stuck with at present.