Apple service, iPod warranty: a follow-up

In light of our recent report on the high cost of an out-of-warranty iPod repair, Scott Boettcher wanted us to know that Apple may just as often deserve praise for its support. He writes: "I recently sent in an older TiBook that had a faulty Ethernet port (likely caused by a user pulling the cable or tripping over it as is common in offices). The unit was out-of-warranty, so I was prepared to pay to have it fixed. I just received the TiBook back and the repair was done. In addition, Apple had replaced the top and bottom case covers, the hinge, the bezel, and the display housing." The total cost? Nada. $0. We don't suspect that this is the norm for Apple service, but it's still nice to know it happens occasionally.

Meanwhile, a reader points out that, in the U.K., the length of the warranty for an iPod is 1 year (the same as it is for all other Apple products; indeed it is a legal requirement for all electrical products in the U.K.), not 3 months (as in the U.S.). In particular, this page states: "All Hardware is guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship for one year from date of purchase." Moreover, he claims: "All Apple products have, since the 1st of January 2002, two years warranty in the European Union" - even if not officially stated on Apple's site.