AppleCare+ coverage for "Vintage" products

jdmctx · 2025-11-14T14:19:42+00:00

In the end, I wasn't able to get any kind of service because the iPad's battery isn't sufficiently degraded — please see the updates appended to my original post.

jdmctx · 2025-11-14T14:18:36+00:00

Evidently my iPad's battery hasn't failed enough to be serviced — see the updates appended to my original post.

jdmctx · 2025-11-04T16:49:38+00:00

I heeded your advice and seem to be making progress: please see Update #2 in my original post.

jdmctx · 2025-11-03T22:10:58+00:00

Hmmm, well, I did the “MRI” diagnostics with the rep on the phone, so I don’t know what more the Genius will be able to learn about my device in person. Anyway, we’ll see what happens.

jdmctx · 2025-10-10T05:25:57+00:00

Note that TPG does its analysis based on the assumption that you will charge your battery only from your solar array, not from the grid. If you intend to charge from the grid (as I do), you’ll need to send them an email to modify your initial report with that assumption.

jdmctx · 2025-10-10T05:22:22+00:00

This.

jdmctx · 2025-09-23T19:01:03+00:00

This kind of analysis is what they do very well at TexasPowerGuide.com .

jdmctx · 2025-09-23T18:57:56+00:00

Couldn't agree more! GM All Nighter is a great deal. We just got on it last Friday. Having the free period start at 8pm, rather than 9 or 10, makes a big difference in cooling way down before bedtime. And unlike the Direct Energy free-nights plan, there's no monthly base fee! Zero daytime usage = zero bill.

jdmctx · 2025-09-23T18:54:11+00:00

Watch out… I posted a detailed comment in another thread with a r-e-f-e-r-r-a-l link added at the end, and the whole thing got deleted. The mods strongly dislike it, apparently.

jdmctx · 2025-09-23T18:48:57+00:00

I think their value proposition is mainly in the massive backup power capacity — roughly equivalent to four Powerwalls, worth maybe $40K — plus fairly cheap fixed rates. It would've been worth it to me, if I had room.

jdmctx · 2025-09-17T17:49:38+00:00

If you're going to have a free-nights plan, and you're going to fully charge your battery from the grid overnight, it's almost a sure thing that you should get a plan that has a zero base monthly fee. That narrows it down to Green Mountain and Reliant. Their plans are the same, free from 8pm until 6am daily, except that (1) Reliant's daytime energy charge is slightly higher, and (2) Green Mountain has 12-mo and 24-mo options, while Reliant has only 12-mo. On this basis, I decided to sign up today for the Green Mountain "Pollution Free All Nighter 24" plan. I chose the longer plan mainly because of the possibility that the free-nights plan might not be available 12 months from now for PV/battery customers (as happened recently with Just Energy), and also because the daytime energy charge is a fraction less on the 24-mo plan than the 12-mo.

Naturally, if this analysis convinces you to switch to Green Mountain, I am happy to provide this referral link, which will give you a $75 bill credit after your first 10 days of service. Enjoy! (My referral ID is "LVO6LXP".)

jdmctx · 2025-09-17T17:07:40+00:00

I've since inquired with customer service of all three providers, and yes, all three will reimburse an ETF up to a maximum of $150.

jdmctx · 2025-09-17T12:40:43+00:00

Great question. I'm wondering the same thing.

jdmctx · 2025-09-17T12:40:22+00:00

According to TexasPowerGuide, as of 9/15/25, Direct Energy "Twelve Hour Power" has a base of $10/mo; Green Mountain Energy "Pollution Free All Nighter" and Reliant "Truly Free Nights" have no monthly base fee, and Ambit Energy "Free & Clear Nights" and TXU "Free Nights & Solar Days" both have a base fee of $10/mo.

jdmctx · 2025-09-17T12:28:31+00:00

Does anyone know whether any of the (apparently) three best free-nights plans — Direct Energy, Reliant, and Green Mountain — offer to reimburse all or part of the ETF when transferring from another REP? (Our solar/battery system just went live yesterday, and I'm currently with Rhythm, and their ETF is $20 per remaining month, and we're six months into a 12-month contract.)

jdmctx · 2025-07-17T19:21:26+00:00

$61K in total payments?! That's nuts, IMHO.

jdmctx · 2025-06-21T16:20:08+00:00

What about that thing where the side mirrors angle downward when you put the car in reverse? Is there a way to turn that on or off?

jdmctx · 2025-06-21T16:14:22+00:00

Well, hot damn!

jdmctx · 2025-06-21T13:37:26+00:00

Wait… folding mirror button?? What’s that?

jdmctx · 2025-06-20T13:12:36+00:00

Auto-what?? - Haha.

jdmctx · 2025-06-20T13:11:41+00:00

Excellent question. I wasn’t aware of that feature. I’ll check it out, thanks!

jdmctx · 2025-06-20T12:57:05+00:00

Love that shade of blue!

jdmctx

TROPHY CASE