AppleCare Protection Plan - Mac Pro Review

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(More customer reviews)For someone who has ALWAYS rejected the notion of purchasing an 'extended warranty' on ANY product purchase as just another cynical method for American corporations to wring every possible cent they can from us as consumers, I must IN THIS CASE ONLY, urge anyone considering the purchase of an Apple laptop or one of Apple's overly priced Mac 'Pro' workstations purchase the Apple'Care' extended warranty. (I am NOT some 'Leftie' anti-corporation/conspiracy theory nut-case! I simply believe that if I purchase a brand new, EXPENSIVE piece of technology - be it a motorcar, a refrigerator, a digital SLR, a flat screen teevee OR an 'insanely kewl' Apple Product [god-Steve's own description of ALL his groovy Apple Products!] - then it is reasonable to expect these 'quality' products last longer than 60,000 miles or 1 year! Consider all the blah-blah about 'quality American products' we are berated with these days.)

Why Apple'Care'?
Consider this: I purchased a Mac 'Pro' quad-core workstation a couple of years ago. Within less than 9 months I began experiencing MULTIPLE hardware problems. Of course, when I took this gift from the gods back to an Apple Store - and by way of many, many lengthy conversations with 'product specialists' @ AppleCare - the 'geniuses' (at the Apple Store's 'Genius Bar'), and the technicians in the Apple Store who supposedly 'worked on' my Mac 'Pro' all advised me 'it's a software issue'. Yep. You betcha! And that most-likely 'it's a THIRD PARTY software issue'. You know, buggy code like that built into products dumped on the market by the likes of Adobe... (Say what?!)
The 'geniuses' solution to my (perceived) problems? 'Archive and Re-Install!' They could NEVER find 'a problem' running their tip top diagnostic software (ASD + they even 'beat it up' with an 'intense' chess game software title the 'geniuses' additionally-use when making an uber effort to find the chink in either hardware or software and are unable to locate it by simply looping ASD for 24 hours or longer). If anyone has ever had to endure the gauntlet of 'Archive and Re-Install' you know that this option is the absolute LAST DITCH EFFORT one considers in order to make an OS play nicely once again with other software written SPECIFICALLY FOR that OS! (C'mon Apple! What's with all this smugness about how stable, how sophisticated, how kewl the Mac OS is?)

Well, long story short, I have the great fortune of being friends with a certified Apple technician; and unlike the 'geniuses' at the Apple Stores who just run software tests (because IT COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE A HARDWARE ISSUE - NOT a Mac!), my good friend is someone who will not accept ONLY the diagnosis of a software scan, no matter how many times you run it looking for a problem. Based upon my description of ongoing problems and with a series of screen captures I emailed him illustrating some of what I was experiencing, without even having the machine in front of him, based upon his years of experience working on Macs (and PC's) he advised me there were problems likely-with both the logicboard AND the video card. (BOTH major hardware failures, both EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE elements for Apple to replace on their 'professional' top-of-the-line product, the Mac 'Pro'!)

*It took me an additional 9 months of wrestling with countless Apple representatives before the company (finally!) decided to replace the machine!* I will not bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, I have been a loyal Mac computer customer *over the past 20 years* and have decided I will NEVER purchase another Mac 'Pro' workstation! (These are Apple's 'professional' level 'workstations'. They are phenomenally overpriced for the quality of computing you get in my experience! When I originally bought mine, approximately two years ago now, I paid nearly $4000! However, becauseI STILL PREFER the Mac environment over the Windows OS I will likely purchase *an iMac* one day in the future and max it out w/RAM for the photo editing work I conduct every day. But never, ever again will I squander money on their so-called 'professional' equipment. And as a finer point, I own Apple computers ONLY. I will not purchase any of their other products, hardware OR software. Adobe does a much better job of designing creative applications, in my opinion.)

So, to come full circle, my advice to you, to 'get it' (AppleCare for one of Apple's workstations or laptops), is based upon the advice my Apple tech friend gave me early on: 'Just cough it up Mike. A couple hundred extra bucks for extended hardwareprotection MAY save you LOTS MORE in the future!' I could have never imagined how right-on his advice to me was! (And BTW, I continue to experience videocard hick-ups even with my brand new replacement, the 'Nehalem' box; AND this quad core 'super computer' REALLY DOES NOT seem anywhere near as fast ['blazing fast'?!] as one is led to believe by all the Apple hoopla on their site. Think I'm nuts about the 'quality' of these Mac 'Pro' workstations? Stop by DealMac from time to time over the coming months and take note of the TONS OFrefurbished Mac 'Pro' 'workstations' the Apple Store is re-selling every now-and-then. Over the past year alone I have seen Apple dump hundreds of these 'pro level' refurb-machines that failed the first time out! Do your own research before dropping Big Bucks on one of these things! And if you have owned one of these machines for less than a year *purchase AppleCare before your initial 12 month warranty runs out*!)

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Product Description:
Every Mac comes with 90 days of telephone support and one year of service coverage at an Apple-authorized repair center. The AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac Pro (MA516LL/A) extends the complimentary coverage on your Mac Pro to three years of world-class support. The plan includes expert telephone assistance, global repair coverage, onsite repairs for desktop computers, web-based resources, and TechTool Deluxe from Micromat--all for one economical price.
This comprehensive AppleCare Protection Plan covers your Mac Pro, as well as an AirPort Extreme Card, an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Apple RAM purchased for your Mac Pro. You can also register one Apple display for coverage, provided the Mac and display are purchased together.


Extend your coverage to three years of service and expert telephone technical support.
One Number to Call for Help
Get direct telephone access to Apple's own technical support group, the people who know your system best. Because Apple creates the computer, the operating system, and many built-in applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. Just one phone call can help resolve most issues with your Mac because AppleCare representatives can help troubleshoot Apple hardware, the Mac operating system, and many Apple consumer applications, including iLife, iWork, Jam Packs, iChat AV, Mail, Safari, iCal, iSync, AppleWorks, and QuickTime.
Convenient Repair Options
The AppleCare Protection Plan ensures that Apple-certified technicians will perform repairs using genuine Apple parts. With this plan, parts and labor will be covered for three years from the date of purchase of your Apple computer, two years beyond the one-year limited warranty. The plan includes onsite service for desktop computers as well as global repair coverage, which can be very important if you travel abroad.
Coverage Information
The AppleCare Protection Plan is subject to terms and conditions, which are provided on the AppleCare Protection Plan website.

To qualify for the AppleCare Protection Plan, your product must be within its one-year Apple hardware warranty.
A separate AppleCare Protection Plan must be purchased for each Apple system to be covered.
Mac mini, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro/MacBook Air/MacBook customers may also enroll one Apple display for coverage, provided that the Mac and the display are purchased together.
Global repair coverage is included.
Onsite service for desktop computers is available within a 50-mile (80-kilometer) radius of an Apple authorized onsite service provider in the country where the plan is purchased and enrolled.
The AppleCare Protection Plan covers an Apple keyboard and mouse when they are included with a covered product (or purchased with your Mac Pro). An AirPort Extreme Card, an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Apple RAM are included in the coverage of the computer with which they are used.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan anytime?

You can purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan anytime within the one-year limited warranty period. Your eligibility for coverage under the AppleCare Protection Plan starts from your hardware purchase date. Apple strongly recommends that you purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan when you purchase your Apple product to maximize the additional benefits provided under the plan.

What service options does the AppleCare Protection Plan offer?

Apple may provide service through one or more of the following options: carry-in service (to Apple retail stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers), direct mail-in service, onsite service (for desktop computers), or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) parts (so you can service your own product).

What does "global repair coverage" mean?

If you take your Apple hardware with you when you travel and happen to need repair service, the AppleCare Protection Plan offers global repair coverage. You can either go to an Apple retail store or contact Apple for information on how to obtain service. Service will be limited to the options available in the country where service is requested. Service options, parts availability, and response time vary according to country. Please see the AppleCare Protection Plan Terms and Conditions for complete details.

When I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan, do I need to register it?

If you purchase your AppleCare Protection Plan and your covered product separately or elsewhere, you will need to register your AppleCare Protection Plan. Your AppleCare Protection Plan coverage starts from your hardware purchase date. Registering your AppleCare Protection Plan at a later date does not extend your coverage.

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Epson Expression 10000XL- Graphic Arts Scanner Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this recently because I wanted to upgrade from my old scanner, the Microtek 9800XL large format scanner.

I create highly detailed scratchboard line art and wanted a scanner that could capture the best possible scans of my work, which I can color digitally and send out to clients in electronic form. (I wasn't confident that my old scanner was doing the job as well as I hoped for.)Both the new and the old scanner are large format but the Epson 10000Xl is more than twice the cost of the Microtek 9800XL. Do I think the upgrade is worth it? Without a doubt.

Here is a list of cons associated with the Microtek that made me take the risk to upgrading:
1. Quirky driver. Sometimes the software could not find the installed driver and I had to restart the computer several times before it would work.
2. Microtek support is practically useless.
3. Very noisy operation
4. Scans required a lot of post production to arrive at the best capture of detail between dark and light tones. I had to scan in grayscale @ 1200dpi, make adjustment with Photoshop before converting to bitmap. With this scanner, the B&W bitmap scanning option was not capturing all the details.

The Epson, in comparison, has been a joy to own. Not only are the results much better, but the unit scans straight to B&W bitmap flawlessly, saving me time in post processing. I do need to clean the scan from unwanted specs but that is still a 50% reduction of time spent getting it optimized. The unit is also much quieter, has a slightly larger scan area, and built with superior design and parts. The lid stays open when raised at an angle whereas the Microtek was a slave to gravity.

After owning it about a month, there have been no problems to report. Since my livelihood relies on the quality of the images I produce, its a good investment and well worth the cost.

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Product Description:
The Epson Expression 10000XL graphic arts edition is a large-format flatbed scanner designed for graphic artists and other high-end users. With its high 2,400 dpi scanning resolution, 48-bit internal color depth, and 3.8 optical density, images are crisp and accurate. The six-line alternated color CCD and auto focus optics system help to ensure that you get the best scans possible. Scan speeds are as high as 2.7 ms/line (at 1,200 dpi), while an optional automatic document feeder allows you to scan multiple sheets at a time. You can zoom in 1% increments anywhere from 50% to 200%.
The software bundle includes a variety of applications to help you easily achieve the best scan results possible. Titles include EPSON Scan 2.2, MonacoEZcolor with reflective IT8 Target, Photoshop Elements 2, and ABBYY FineReader Sprint OCR. The 10000XL connects to your computer via its standard USB and Firewire ports, and an optional network adapter lets you use the scanner as a network device. The AC 100-120V power supply consumes less than 55 watts during normal operation and about 6 watts while in sleep mode. Compatible with both PC and Mac operating platforms, the 10000XL comes backed with a one-year limited warranty.
What's in the Box
Scanner, CD-ROM with software and drivers, power cable, user's manual and setup documentation, USB cable

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