Questions
- What is AppleCare+ for student devices?
- When can students use AppleCare+ coverage?
- How do students get their devices fixed under AppleCare+?
- What is covered under AppleCare+?
- Will Apple replace my laptop if I spill water on it or if I crack my screen?
- Are devices belonging to recent graduates covered by AppleCare+?
- How much does a laptop repair cost?
- How long does a repair take?
Environment
This article applies to current Bowdoin students and the Apple technology provided to them by the college as part of the Digital Excellence Commitment (DExC) program.
Resolution
Who is covered?
All student devices are covered for four years from the time of purchase. This means that nearly all enrolled student devices are covered. There may be a couple of months of warranty remaining after graduation for recent graduates, but the warranty will expire during the summer months following graduation. Use Apple's coverage checker tool — see Apple: Check Your Service and Support Coverage in the Additional Resources section — to confirm whether a specific device is still covered.
What is covered?
AppleCare+ provides broad coverage for accidental damage and hardware issues, including:
- Repair or replacement of a laptop or iPad damaged by a liquid spill
- Cracked screens on a laptop or iPad
- A device that has been dropped and is no longer functioning
- Most other hardware failures and accidental damage
How to request a repair
- Identify the problem. AppleCare+ covers accidental damage and hardware issues. Knowing what is wrong will help you communicate clearly with the Service Desk or Apple Support.
- Contact the Service Desk, Apple Support, or visit an Apple Store.
- Submit a request through the Service Catalog or come to the Tech Hub in Smith Union during regular hours.
- Reach Apple Support through apple.com/support or the Apple Support app via chat, phone call, or scheduled service.
- If calling Apple, use the AppleCare support line for Education: 1-800-800-2775, option 3.
- If you prefer in-person help, locate the nearest Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider.
- Follow up on the repair or replacement. After the issue is diagnosed, Apple will explain the next steps. Depending on the damage, the device will either be repaired or replaced. With AppleCare+, there should be no service fee unless you have an iPad Pro.
How long does a repair take?
Repair times vary depending on the complexity of the issue and parts availability. A repair sent to Apple typically takes about a week. If the repair is managed through Bowdoin IT, a temporary loaner laptop or iPad is available during that time.
How much do repairs cost?
There is generally no cost for repairs on laptops as long as no more than two incidents have occurred in the same calendar year. AppleCare+ covers the cost of repairs twice per calendar year for four years from the date of purchase. Most student iPads and Apple Pencils are covered under the same repair terms, however there is a nominal fee for iPad and Apple Pencil repairs.
Will my device be repaired or replaced?
Damaged Apple devices are generally repaired by Apple. If a device cannot be repaired — for example, if it was damaged in a fire or run over — Apple will replace it with the same model if inventory is available. This means that if your M4 MacBook Pro is replaced, Apple will replace it with an M4 MacBook Pro if that model is still in inventory, even if newer models are available for sale.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources