iPad warrantees and protection programs and covers - what are you doing?

[Jenni Voorhees]

We are just about to purchase about 20 iPad2's for our Kindergarten pilot and for key people who want to test them. Since K's will have them we thought we should consider getting a breakage warrantee. Here's one that looks good. http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/ipad-landing?ccode=bs_war_vc_090:h...

 

What are all of you doing for this? Has anyone found a great cover/case that protects the iPad from breakage? What is your experience?

[Cheryl Colpoys]

We are planning to purchase somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 iPads in the next couple months and we are going to purchase a few spares instead of warranties.  It really pushes the price up.  We did a pilot with iPads to 12 of our teachers and had a set of 4 to use with small groups and even our 4 year olds seemed to be extra careful with them.  We have the student ones in rubber skins to give a better grip to them.  It also helps that most classrooms are carpeted.

[Fred Bartels]

Jen, What about self insuring. You could take the 95.99 that you would pay to the insurance company and put it into a separate account. If you purchase 20 iPads that would be almost $2000 which would totally cover 4 replacement iPads. You also would not need to go through the inevitable hassles that the insurance company will put you through to process a claim. Fred

[Marti Weston]

Like this idea for schools.

[Jenni Voorhees]

So I take it you didn't purchase the Apple Care plan either?

[Fred Bartels]

Jen, We don't purchase AppleCare. Do the same thing as I'm recommending for insurance.  Fred

[Marti Weston]

For the past two years we've (my family) used Square Trade for iPhone/iPad warranties, and I think the company is amazing. We have not needed to use the service, but friends have, and they speak glowingly of fast repairs without any problems. I first heard about Square Trade on a Today in iOS (http://tii.libsyn.com/), a wonderful podcast series, which I also recommend. (The program used to be called Today in iPhone.)

[Ed Patterson]

St. Andrew's School in GA talked about this on 21st cnetury Tech Talk.  I thought that they said they had a plan which covered everything including accidents and didn't exclude users after they filed a first claim for a complete replacement.  (somebody have the link to 21st c tech talk?)
Ed

[Connie Coker]

The Zagg mate keyboard that also serves as a case is extremely durable and functional. http://www.stratalogica.com/NystromDigital/home/home.html;jsessioni...
All of our iPads will be covered under AppleCare. Families should check with Homeowners, renters, and/ or car insurance to see if loss/ damage of the machine would be covered under personal plans. Worth Avenue Group(http://www.worthavegroup.com/ipad) and Safeware insurance (http://www.safeware.com/Products/iPadCoverage.aspx) both offer up to three years of coverage.

[Connie Coker]

The first link above is obviously not what I meant to post... here's the correct one.

[Dr. Joan McGettigan]

Dear Jenni,

 

It looks like a great warranty--I know other schools simply buy an extra IPad instead of buying the warranty--I wonder if an investment in a really good cover would make more sense? Like the Street Skin?

http://www.hardcandycases.com/street-skin-apple-ipad-2-case.html

Or the ever fun IGuy? http://www.speckproducts.com/iguy-ipad-cover-blue.html

Or the scary Kraken cover? http://www.tridentcase.com/product_3_4.html

 

 

[Claire Kyzer]

I have seen the otter box used with young children but it is expensive ($90) and not everyone likes it.  It can be unresponsive.