AppleCare, ProCare, Worth it?

Apple care is worth it for the phone support if you are a new Apple user and do not know people that use Macs. I never buy Apple care on apple desktops because I have never had one fail and I know enough about them that I don't need to call in for help.

Apple Care is excellent, it is worth it for a first time user. It extends the hardware warrantee for three years. Also it you can call any time for help and you get a friendly person that speaks english!

Don't worry about the Pro Care, that is a business thing, I don' think you need it.

Apple.com has a lot of educational discounts.
Ask me about particular hardware and I will be glad tell you a good place ot get it.

 

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/0.RSLID?mco=26403331&nclm=SpecialDeals
Here is a good place to buy your iMac.
THese are Apple refurbed systems. They have a full warrantee and you can get Aple care.
You save about $200.

Also, check out the MacMini. It is quite a bit cheaper. The only draw back is that they aren't as good with games.
They also do not have a monitor built in but you can use the one you have now.
That is not to discourage the iMac, just since you asked about discounted software, I thought you probably were not a "cost is no object type"

If you would like to know the pros and cons to both, let me know.

 

There is a definite convienence to getting the whole iMac system.
They have refurbs for $999 but those are the G5 systems. If you want to dual boot with windows, you have to get the new ones with the intel.
If you can afford the iMac, go for it. It is a great system!
Also, you can use dual monitors with the iMac! You can connect a second display and have an extended desktop.
It is VERY handy.

 

Congratulations, I don't think you will regret it!

Depends on a few things. I've had a G4 tower since 2001 with a three-year CompUSA policy on it and I've never needed to use it.

My wife has a G5 tower from 2004 with AppleCare, and she's never needed it.

But both of us have AppleCare on our iPods and we've both used it when our iPods went out.

If it's a desktop system, I wouldn't worry much about it in most situations. If it is a portable unit (notebook system, iPod, etc.), I would definitely buy it.

I have no experience with ProCare since it is very new. It is my understanding that ProCare is designed for those whose livelihood depends upon their Macintoshes. If I was a freelance graphic designer or professional musician, I'd definitely buy it because it gives you priority, time-sensitive service so you can keep running with a minimum of delay.

The internet. There are a number of very good Mac-specific sites. One of my favorites is www.megamacs.com. They often have very good deals and offer great service.

Welcome to the Mac family! :wavey:

 

I would say you do not need it unless you are running a server. In 15 years of running a mac I called the helpline one time. But..i fixed it before i talked to them. Today..there are so many mac help sites, you may get better help from them, then Apple. This is not saying Apple has bad service. It's saying Mac lovers love to talk about macs...and do.

and I also welcome you to the mac world. You will love it.

:wavey:

 

I'm a PC guy, and personally think Macs have unsatisfactory cost:productivity (if you aren't using them where they excel at). But with all that said, I have heard they have one of the best tech support teams out there. Hope you enjoy your new system!

 

THis is dependent on what you do, and is rarely the case. TCO is the key. Macs last so long in general that even if you do basic stuff...the $999 iMac that my mom uses from 2000 is still a good system and is a really good deal by now.
Granted though it has about $300 in upgrades but I got it used in 02 for $350.

PCs do have a place, but for normal users that don't want any fuss....the iMac is the best way to go.

 

Can you give some examples of areas where Macs do not excel?*

*I'm sure someone is going to say "games", but I wouldn't call that productivity... Furthermore, since Macs can now boot Windows (if you want to install that monstrosity on your machine) you can boot into Windows any time you want to play those games and then boot back into Mac OS X to be productive.

 

Hey, do you have any preference for Bible software?

I like Online Bible on Mac OS X. Also there is Mac Sword and Accordance.