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further, i have the sneaking suspicion that your treatment at the genius bar is better if you bought the applecare, even during the first year. they're more likely to stretch the rules for you. (ie, doing a free repair even if the computer is a little busted up)

EDIT: and by "sneaking suspicions" i mean i've seen it happen

Oh yes, been on the right end of that one before.
 
Yes.

After my MBP display started failing in November, I had it replaced under AppleCare in early January. Total cost was $0. Without AppleCare, it would have been several hundred, assuming I went through with it.
 
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