Applecare vs. Geek squad - Techprojournal

One of the things that many customers of smart devices consider during purchase is the warranty. This is a crucial factor that can influence your buying decision.

Different warranty providers have come up to ensure that every customer gets the most value during the purchase of smart devices. Apple offers a service known as Applecare, while Best Buy offers Geek squad. Signing up for either of these services can help you protect your smartphone better than relying on the standard warranty. You should, however, learn how they differ before choosing either of them. This comparison guide will teach you everything you should know regarding both Applecare and Geek squad. Enjoy!

What are the differences between Applecare and Geek Squad?

Name	Applecare	Geek squad
Source	Apple	Geek Squad
Warranty period	2-3 years depending on the device	Up to 5 years
How long you have to sign up	Up to 60 days of purchase	Up to 15 days of purchase
Support	Excellent	Poor
Call to action	Check price here	Check price here

Applecare vs. Geek squad- How do they compare?

Warranty period

Every purchase of a smart device comes with a standard warranty, which only lasts for one year. Choosing Applecare can help you extend coverage for your device for up to 3 years. On the other hand, Geek Squad gives you a chance to extend the warranty up to 5 years. It, therefore, offers a better warranty period than Applecare.

Signing up

If you want to buy Applecare, you can do this when you buy a smartphone from Apple. The company also gives customers who are not yet convinced about the plan a chance to sign up for it later on. It offers at least 60 days after purchase for one to make up their mind. Though the Geek squad still gives you some time, you only have 15 days to purchase this plan after buying your device. Applecare is, therefore, more lenient than Geek squad.

Support

Though both protection plans offer tech support, most Applecare customers are happy with this service. Geek squad receives a lot of negative reviews when it comes to customer support. Applecare, therefore, has a better support system than Geek squad.

Applecare vs. Geek squad- A comparison overview

Applecare overview

Apple has been providing all kinds of electronics and smart devices from this company. You should consider its extended warranty option known as Applecare. This can extend your coverage up to 2 years. Applecare covers all kinds of devices, including iPads, iPods, iPhones, and Mac. You can even get three years of coverage for devices such as Mac after paying a certain fee.

The protection plan has been in existence for decades and has managed to gain an excellent reputation among customers. Apart from Apple, you can also buy this protection plan from other third party resellers such as eBay. Apple allows you to sign up for Applecare at different durations. You can either sign up the day you buy a device or 60 days after buying a smartphone.

Applecare not only covers such devices against hardware problems but also accidental damage. The coverage includes not only malfunctions but also two incidents of damage. Once you sign up for this plan, you should expect to receive 24/7 technical support. In case your device needs repair, it can be done from the Apple store.

Pros

Offers coverage for up to 3 years
It gives you up to 60 days to decide.
The company offers excellent technical support.
It covers both hardware issues and accidental damage.

Cons

It is not cheap

Geek squad overview

While some people choose to buy most of their smart devices from Apple, others prefer Best Buy. This offers a service known as Geek squad, which can give you extended coverage when you choose such devices from the supplier.

Geek squad can give you coverage once the one year period that comes with the standard warranty is over. It stands out among other warranty options since it can cover devices for up to 5 years. If you choose Geek squad, you can either sign up for it the same day you buy the device or within 15 days of purchase.

This can cover the phone against mechanical failures and accidental damage. You can also get battery replacement as long as you have signed up for this plan. If, for instance, you buy this plan and need a smartphone that is covered to be repaired or replaced, you have to pay a service fee. Geek squad offers onsite, in-store as well as internet support.

Pros

Extended warranty period
It covers smartphones against accidental damage.
The plan gives you some time to decide whether to purchase
Covers most devices

Cons

Some customers are not impressed with the support system.

Verdict: So, which is better? Applecare or Geek squad

If you need a protection plan, Applecare and Geek squad are some of the options you can pick from. When we compared these two plans, we understood why many people go for Applecare over Geek squad. Applecare stands out since it offers great coverage, excellent customers support, and is more lenient. Though Geek squad can allow you to extend your coverage for up to five years, you may not enjoy the best services from this plan. Most customers report delays from Geek squad and reveal that it takes time to repair devices. Applecare, on the other hand, receives minimal complaints. We, therefore, choose Applecare as the clear winner.

FAQs

If I signed up for Geek Squad and my laptop’s hard drive fails, can this plan help me?

Yes. This protection plan covers laptops for such issues. It can therefore help you with repairs as long as you pay the required fee.

Can I pay for Applecare every month?

This is an option that Apple introduced to accommodate customers on a budget. If you don’t want to make a one-time payment for the two-year coverage, you can pay for it monthly.