Apple ProCare

[dcranston]

It's a GOOD thing!

Guys, stop flipping out at the $99 price tag and actually go to an Apple Store and ask someone the details of this. I was worried too until I did this.

There are actually 2 new packages: StandardCare and ProCare. StandardCare is a BRAND NEW package which is FREE which gives you FREE things like:

- Install Memory/AirPort *FREE* (this used to be $30 if you didn't buy APP -- called MACPAC or something?)
- Various Genius Bar items (including data transfer, etc.) are now FREE -- that USED TO BE PAY

This is not a bad thing. They're now offering additional features with ProCare that you can register for (individual workshops, 24-hour turnaround, advanced genius bar reservations), but it's not required at all, and we're NOT LOSING anything. Repeat: NOT LOSING anything we currently have for free.

PLEASE PLEASE for the love all sanity ask for clarification before you flip out at something like this. And Arn, please clarify your post!! 🙂

 

[Fukui]

I don't understand 😕

Why is everyone opposed to this? Does it take the place of Applecare or anything? What are we loosing that is currently free? Thanks

Nothing as far as I can tell...
I think people who run a business would appreciate the ability to just walk in and cut right to the chase with out having to wait etc... what's wrong with that? In fact I would appreciate it!

 

[iLife]

when i pre-ordered my G5 instore they gave me this G5-esque Apple Store Pro Card ... is that what they mean by first year being free business...? i remember many of the benefits being similair

 

[merge]

Um, maybe they mean carry a trial laptop around/out of of the store for a while and really "test drive it?" Maybe exclusive try outs where others don't have to wait behind you...

yeah right.... not a chance...
They only list that because they don't have anything else to list... This program is worthless.
Apple should not be focusing on something like this...

 

[dontmatter]

um, when did apple last make an announcment on a thursday?

 

[lynnpye]

Why do I get this image of Jobs dressed in a white pinstriped suit with a flat tophat in a wagon that rolled into bumsville Idaho selling Steve's magic elixir! Guaranteed to cure you of all your aches and pains! Increase your libido 100 fold! Will feed a family of four for 6 months! All yours for the amazing low price of $99!!
NOT!

It's called lemonade. Try it. You'll like it.

 

[Some_Big_Spoon]

Does this really count as an announcement? Lord, I hope not..

um, when did apple last make an announcment on a thursday?

 

[Fukui]

yeah right.... not a chance...
They only list that because they don't have anything else to list... This program is worthless.
Apple should not be focusing on something like this...

Really? I actually find it quite useful. 99 dollars a year for direct/guarenteed service is trivial. Have you ever been to a mircrocenter and asked for service in one day guarenteed on your computer and got it for free? They are ADDING BENIFITS, ADDING ADDING ADDING ADDING. If you don't like the additional benifits, dont pay for it. They will cancel it if no one uses it.

They're not screwing us over like .Mac where everything was free monday and then not the next.

What I'm curious though, is do they support repairs on out-of-warranty systems if you continue to pay for the pro services?

 

[dcranston]

yeah right.... not a chance...
They only list that because they don't have anything else to list... This program is worthless.
Apple should not be focusing on something like this...

I challenge you to back that statement up.

They state test-drive as a possibility, you come out a denounce it as impossible, calling the entire program "worthless".

Maybe the services offered by the program are not worth it for you, but does that make it worthless? I run a company, and the ability to know that I can get 24-hour turnaround on repairs, go in and talk to a genius any time without waiting an hour, hands-down is worth $99 on my $6,000 computer purchase. Any other benefits they throw in are just icing on the cake.

But it's called "Pro" -- it's not intended for ordinary consumers. It's intended for people like me who stand to lose thousands of dollars if there's a day of downtime. This is just another way Apple is pushing into the business/enterprise market.

Everyone keeps saying Apple needs to push into the Business market more, right? Then stop assuming every decision Apple makes is geared toward you, a consumer. Sheesh!

 

[andybouchard]

Well I recieved a pro card last summer with my G5 purchase, so I'm going to go get a ProCare card just for the heck of it. What can it hurt, right?? 🙂

 

[Some_Big_Spoon]

24 hour turn around on in store repairs, not all repairs. Most of those, if not all, you can do yourself.. but i guess there's the threat of voiding the warranty.. scare tactics, ugh..

I guess in NYC, Chicago, San Fran (and the like) there's a wait at the genius bar, but I've been to dozens of Apple Stores around the country and I've never, ever, ever seen a wait at the genius bar.. but i'm guessing i'll be labeled an anomaly in nanoseconds...

I challenge you to back that statement up.

They state test-drive as a possibility, you come out a denounce it as impossible, calling the entire program "worthless".

Maybe the services offered by the program are not worth it for you, but does that make it worthless? I run a company, and the ability to know that I can get 24-hour turnaround on repairs, go in and talk to a genius any time without waiting an hour, hands-down is worth $99 on my $6,000 computer purchase. Any other benefits they throw in are just icing on the cake.

But it's called "Pro" -- it's not intended for ordinary consumers. It's intended for people like me who stand to lose thousands of dollars if there's a day of downtime. This is just another way Apple is pushing into the business/enterprise market.

Everyone keeps saying Apple needs to push into the Business market more, right? Then stop assuming every decision Apple makes is geared toward you, a consumer. Sheesh!

 

[chubad]

I agree that this is just a weak attempt to squeeze some 100% profit $$ from the people who don't know any better.
Wow, they will install an Airport card and memory for free. That's a pretty tough and labor intesive task isn't it. 🙄
Lets see, Apple Care and Pro Care customers get priority repairs while the people who have to pay full price for repairs can be pushed to the back of the line. Nice.
Even if very few people buy this rubbish look for it to be around for a long time as it is pure profit for Apple.
Not that I'm against Apple making $$ but how about selling some updated computers and software to make $$.
Lot's of folks are sitting on cash waiting to buy a Rev. B Powermac or Powerbook.

 

[Fukui]

24 hour turn around on in store repairs, not all repairs. Most of those, if not all, you can do yourself...

Really? Again, if you are running a business, you have NO TIME to Dic around with your computer. You tell your assistantor or whatever to take it down and give them the card and to fix it. Boom, you don't worry about it till it comes back. If you ever had to pay for an IT man, I guarentee you it'll be more expensive to let him fix it if something goes wrong more than once. Again, this is not for you if you want to/can make your own repairs. This is for people that don't want to/can't waste they're time on it, IOW 90% of business and consumers.

Again, they didn't take anything away, so why the complaining?

 

[Fukui]

Wow, they will install an Airport card and memory for free. That's a pretty tough and labor intesive task isn't it..

Tell that to my girlfiend...she'll say yea it is.

 

[billyboy]

Yet again, MacRumors marketing experts rip into an Apple marketing plan before they even know what it is about, or thought it through from the perspective of the intended market. iPod, iPodmini, .Mac with 87% renewal rate, ProCare? - the list is growing naysayers 😀

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

Isnt it a sort of alternative to Applecare. Instead of being supported over the phone and sending your Mac by courier for a several hundred dollars fee, you pay $99 to take your Mac in to a store for attention ahead of Joe schmoe.

So Pro users get to push my warranty work back farther? Ugh. Last time I took in my iBook to an Apple Store due to a failed hard drive (after 3 months of use), it took Apple 2 weeks to get it back to me. Horrible, horrible service. Now that will take longer due to "Pro" users?

I agree with those that have posted, this is good for business customers, but stinks for the majority of users.

 

[Fukui]

Last time I took in my iBook to an Apple Store due to a failed hard drive (after 3 months of use), it took Apple 2 weeks to get it back to me..

Thats too long to wait for something like that.

 

[bathysphere]

Yet again, MacRumors marketing experts rip into an Apple marketing plan before they even know what it is about, or thought it through from the perspective of the intended market. iPod, iPodmini, .Mac with 87% renewal rate, ProCare? - the list is growing naysayers 😀

people buying into this crap doesn't bless it with value.
and this thing is really useless. you can say it's for pro users all you want, but it doesn't offer pro service. it's just mediocre, and overpriced... seems to be a theme at apple.

 

[ITR 81]

# Rapid Repairs. Get priority, next-day turnaround on in-store repairs.

Okay I guess that's nice. I would hope you wouldn't have to use this too often.
(Faster is always better. A PC user would buy it just for this alone because they do not like to wait. Trust me I was one of them and I used to repair them all the time.)

# Reserve a Genius. No waiting at our Genius Bar with up to seven-day advance reservations.

Again... not used too often I wouldn't think.
(PC user doesn't like to wait and I knowl don't.)

# Complete setup. We’ll transfer your old files and get you ready to roll before you leave the store.

I would think they'd do this for a fee with a new Mac, not a $99 subscription type thing.
(No PC company will do this for free so why should Apple. Most PC users want their old files on their new Macs.)

# Custom workshops. Book free, one-hour workshops to take your skills further.

Might be nice once they let us know what's in store.
(Good for first time users and PC users that just switched. Not everyone is a PC or Mac guru.)

# Exclusive discounts. Get special discounts on selected Apple and third-party products.

Sorta like the .Mac discounts?
(Nope more like pricing discounts, but I don't care because I already get discounts from Apple.)

# Test-Drive. Try all of the latest Apple hardware in our store, before you buy.

Can't I do this already?
(Not with it configured like you want it. Yeah they got some demo models, but none are maxed out like I want my Macs.)

# Price Guarantee. If you see Apple products for less at another store, don’t worry. We’ll match the price.

Because every other store sells Apple products $5 cheaper! *yawn*
(PC users are cheap and every dollar counts. I know it does to me.)

# Take It Home Today. Purchase any Mac, software, or accessory from our store inventory and take it with you today.

So if I don't have a pro care card I have to wait for my Mac like I'd have to if I bought a gun?
(No it only means a Pro user gets priority over your Mac...when it has to be configured to your liking.)

# My Mac. Let us help you personalize your new Mac by setting up your email and Internet account, installing software, connecting peripherals and more.

My grandmother could set up a Mac. C'mon.
(Mine can't and most PC users have to be step through this process or atleast when I worked for Verizon DSL.)

# Genius Bar. Get hands-on support from a Mac Genius during store hours.

Isn't this the same as reserving one? Don't they already do this? Or are they going to snub me now?
(No, reserving only gives you that a reserved spot and nothing more. Mac Genius advice is still free but not when you bring in your out of warranty machine in for them to fix.)

😕 😕 😕
This service is more for folks that need things fast and quick and switchers or first time computer buyers.
Being negative makes you sound just like one those that said the iPod mini would fail.

 

[oingoboingo]

I wonder if this is to replace AppleCare or addition to AppleCare? So when you buy a mac you get suggested to pay an additional $200+ for applecare, $99 for procare, and $99 for .Mac. Any other things that they are to suggest people buy?

Yeah, don't forget your yearly $129 Mac OS X subscription fee, and your new $49 annual iLife subscription.

Let's see... $200 + $99 + $99 + $129 + $49 = $576.

$576...the cost of a whole new PC. I've said it before...Steve is seriously pushing for an even 1% market share this year. It will make all sorts of calculations so much easier. No nasty '2.45%' type figures to deal with. I'd say he's well on the way!

 

[panthman]

ok, I too stopped into the Apple Store to ask a few questions cause this sounded pretty lame to me at first.

Basically, nothing currently happening is going away...

There is this new thing called standard care that you used to only get when you bought a computer and the applecare, now EVERYONE who buys a computer gets it - free airport/ram installs, sortware updates, printer/scanner drivers - for anyone who buys a computer.

Then there is pro care - $99 a year for 24 hour repairs on desktops, 48 hours on laptops - wow, if you can't be without the computer, that's worth it (basically if you are complaining about waiting two weeks for a repair, would it be worth $99 to get it back overnight??? something to think about..) - maybe we feel as if we shouldn't have to wait but when i worked at circuit city you were lucky to see your computer back in a month!!!! 2 weeks sounds pretty reasonable to me! (and you can also book an appt with a mac genius a week in advance!)

it looks like a lot of the junk on that page is marketing crap.... of course we all get to try out the computer, or course we can take the computer home with us - they said that they're not taking anything away, just adding some new stuff - so yeah, they're trying to make it sound better than it is, but if you can't function without your computer... i guess $99 could be worth it

(oh yeah, and pro care does not pay for service, that is either under warranty or paid for - pro care makes it fast)

p-man

 

[Fukui]

Yeah, don't forget your yearly $129 Mac OS X subscription fee, and your new $49 annual iLife subscription.

Let's see... $200 + $99 + $99 + $129 + $49 = $576.

$576...the cost of a whole new PC. I've said it before...Steve is seriously pushing for an even 1% market share this year. It will make all sorts of calculations so much easier. No nasty '2.45%' type figures to deal with. I'd say he's well on the way!

You don't need .Mac (which was a mistake to be free in the first place), you don't need yearly OS X updates, you dont need iLife upgrade every year, you don't need applecare. Even Dell or Sony doesn't offer an extended warranty unless you pay more. If you want it, you buy it, its that simple. Its amazing what people will complain about when there is nothing to complain about. If for some bizzare reason someone feels obligated to buy all that then there is something wrong...with them.

 

[ITR 81]

24 hour turn around on in store repairs, not all repairs. Most of those, if not all, you can do yourself.. but i guess there's the threat of voiding the warranty.. scare tactics, ugh..

I guess in NYC, Chicago, San Fran (and the like) there's a wait at the genius bar, but I've been to dozens of Apple Stores around the country and I've never, ever, ever seen a wait at the genius bar.. but i'm guessing i'll be labeled an anomaly in nanoseconds...

Not everyone is qualified to work on Apple computers? You also assuming folks all use a PM and not iMacs(hard to work on), Xserves(who knows with the new models), iBooks and PB's.

Don't assume because you don't see a line there is not a waiting time for the Genius bar.

 

[csubear]

Okay okay, so this is not the end of the world. But what is this take it home today stuff? Do i have to pay $99 to take home my $2500 powerbook, today? Please somebody let me know what this is about.

 

[Fukui]

Okay okay, so this is not the end of the world. But what is this take it home today stuff? Do i have to pay $99 to take home my $2500 powerbook, today? Please somebody let me know what this is about.

Its called filler. It makes the list look bigger.