So I've taken the plunge and bought an iPad. Would you like our apple care extended warranty?

'no thanks I'm sorted'

I've got a bank account that provides me with an extra years warranty on any electrical goods I buy. Ring them today and they tell me that they don't cover apple items because apple won't sell them any parts (specifically to prevent Anyone else offering a warranty). Can u imagine if car manufacturers did that (refused to sell spares).

Is it just me, or are apple taking the ?

It's no wonder they made 150 billion in profit!!

Yup, Apple are having a laugh at our expense again....

But, don't you just love the iPad ( not sure what I'm going to use it for though )  2005 Audi A8 W12
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Yes it's great. Although I'm only using it for net surfing, seems a waste...

A little known bonus to the AppleCare extended warranty is the 3 strikes rule. This basically means that if apple have to repair your item on 3 occasions for any reason then your machine will be replaced with a brand new one.

For example my last laptop was replaced just 32 days before the 3 year warranty expired because I had had 2 power adaptors and a battery replaced in the time I had owned it!!! So my 3 year old laptop was replaced with a brand spanking new £1700 model, not bad for a £100 extended warranty. Thank you Apple you made my day

I was bought a PowerBook 7 years ago as a present and I have purchased the AppleCare warranty ever since as most laptops will have something minor go wrong within 3 years. Even if your battery life starts to degrade with time they will replace that under warranty. The only thing that isn't covered is accidental damage.

I've never bought a computer since, AppleCare is worth its weight in gold and is a lot cheaper on eBay. The warranty is worldwide so it doesn't matter where the policy is purchased.

Although your credit card policy maybe free to claim on, your Apple product will probably have to be properly broken and unusable for you to be able to claim. 06MY 4.4 V8 Autobiography Cairns Blue with Navy & Parchment Interior

Do you think this is worthwhile for iPhones too?

I have finally got one after taking the p155 out of everyone who had one, but I've never had a 2 year phone contract before, all my mobiles have lasted 1 year max. (software glitches etc)

Do Apple know this and will the iPhone last more than a year I am now wondering? I never break stuff, but I do worry that I will end up having to pay for a new iphone somewhere through my contract through no fault of my own. Discovery 4 HSE
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I wasn't aware that you could buy the AppleCare warranty on ebay. Just had a look and they're on there for 20 quid. The iPhone itself is pretty sturdy and my screen is unmarked after 18 months.

Take care though, there are moisture detectors in the charging and earphone jacks. Once activated (by a single drop of water!) the warranty is void in it's entirety. I found this out to my cost and still have no idea when or how it got wet?

That said, Its my second iPhone and they're a great gadget. Perfect when your lost, just click on maps and it shows your current location as a blue dot. I also put tom-tom on mine with all the speed camera warnings. There's also a cool gadget called heads up display that will project a reflection of your speed/ location/ speed cameras, onto the windscreen. This looks just like the BMW HUD.

So in summary, warranty can't hurt but not as important as insurance. The screen is glass!

Its a matter of perspective i suppose with the iPhone. The AppleCare warranty for iPhones and iPods (probably iPads too) will extend you warrant up to 2 years from the original purchase date (in contrast to 3 years for all computers). This covers you for any faults that develop due to shoddy workmanship and the like (also consumables such as poor performing batteries). I didn't take out this policy, mainly because it wasn't available in the UK when I purchased my handset.

The first thing that the Apple technician will check is the headphone jack with a device that looks broadly similar to the thing the doctor peers down your ear with. This is to check a small indicator that tells them is the phone has been subjected to excessive moisture (don't worry, this means submerged!). Apple are generally very good with iPhone replacements. I have had one replacement for a duff battery but my mother in law has had 4 for various screen and wifi issues. Some you win some you lose. Obviously you are covered for 1 year as standard.

Now the next bit is somewhat questionable. I have the O2 insurance policy to guard against complete destruction, loss or theft... this is a very good policy but costs me an extra £10 a month on my 18 month contract. Not that i condone this behaviour or its questionable morals but you could just claim on that policy for anything outside of the 1 year warranty.

Unfortunately no one product will cover all eventualities. But another gem of information is that Apple will supply you with a replacement handset (albeit a refurbished unit) for a nominal charge of £150 (subject to change with release of new models) to replace a lost, damaged or stolen handset. As proved by a number of my work colleagues who seem intent to lose phones in bars around the world...

Now if you can stomach that cost instead of an insurance policy then I would just pay the £50 for the extended AppleCare warranty... 06MY 4.4 V8 Autobiography Cairns Blue with Navy & Parchment Interior