You guys were saying awhile back that I can call Apple for technical advice indefinitely, right? Remember, I thought I had to have Apple Care to do so? On the Apple Website they make a point of saying there is free tech available for 3 months. So why do they say that when it's practically forever?

AppleCare+ for Mac
Every Mac comes with a one-year limited warrantyand up to 90 days of complimentary technical support AppleCare+ for Mac extends your coverage from your AppleCare+ purchase date and adds unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax. In addition, you’ll get 24/7 priority access to Apple experts via chat or phone. For complete details, see the terms(opens in a new window).

AppleCare+ covers your physical machine...your hardware.

Operating system - software - problems are covered indefinitely.

All I can tell you is, the only time Apple has ever questioned my support status, online on the discussion boards, chatting online, on the phone, or in person at the Genius Bar has been when the solution to the problem required hardware replacement or repair. Since I assume this involves your battery situation, you can find more information on Apple battery service here as well as free replacement cost estimates.

No, it doesn't apply to my battery situation. I had another question to ask them and was hesitant to call because of the quote I showed you above. It mentions tech support, not hardware support.

Since I assume this involves your battery situation, you can find more information on Apple battery service here as well as free replacement cost estimates. [/quote]

But it says tech support not hardware support. To me tech support means questions I have about how to do something on my Mac, not hardware problems.

All support as respects a computer is "tech support."

The problem here is that Apple is remiss in using "technical" to cover two entirely different support categories without clarification.

OK, so I won't worry about it. Thanks.

If you're still even the least bit concerned, just explain your problem and ask if the support will cost you as soon as the tech gets on the phone.

Used to do that but I don't remember what they said. Obviously I wasn't charged though. I decided not to do it this time even though the recording mentioned something about charges which concerned me a bit. I don't think I'm going to be charged. They weren't any help anyway.

The tech would have said something...asked you for a card number...

I'm sure you won't be charged.

Right. I was only a little worried. I'm gonna post about my problem in another thread. It's about my calendar.

Another way of looking is Apple sells only hardware and services, THEY DO NOT SELL SOFTWARE, so how could they charge you for supporting something they gave you?

Well, it's the wording. It's deceiving. I was looking up info about buying a Mac and AppleCare, etc. Lot of people are under the impression they cannot use the phone tech support after a certain time.

One thing is certain, the wording has been carefully vetted by Apple's attorneys. In retrospect, I suspect the wording may be an artifact from the days when Apple did charge for their software and upgrades. It would have allowed some legal wiggle room during the transition period. (He said with a shrug of his shoulders.)

Right, or they are counting on people interpreting it the way I did, and that way there are less calls. Also people are under the impression that they have to have AppleCare to extend the 90 day deadline during which they think they can call tech support. Another sales pitch. That's my take because that's what I always thought along with others. So glad I know better now. They really should change their pre-recorded message to take away that charge message. It would be different if they said there could be extra charges even with AppleCare for damaged equipment, but that's not mentioned. I know this sounds negative, but with what companies are doing these days with built in obsolescence and smaller containers of food for the same or more money is disgusting. I have started looking at all this with a jaundiced eye.