OK , it ’s all my fault , I include it . When I wrote about Apple ’s ProCare service program last twelvemonth , I called it “ the good muckle no one ’s talking about ” because of its training constituent . Apparently someone at Apple decide it wastoogood a deal , because last week the troupe uncover a newfangled program called One to One that breaks out breeding from service .

Let ’s back up a step . ProCareis a $ 99 - per - year service design offered by Apple retail computer memory . It is essentially a priority service plan for Mac drug user : You get “ first in line of products , first on the workbench ” anteriority at the Apple Store ’s Genius Bar ; annual package updates and keyboard / monitor cleanup ; and other benefit . Up until last workweek , ProCare also net you weekly one - on - one training with Apple retail depot trainers , too . ( existent ProCare customers are grandfathered in under the sometime program until their current terms expire . ) Now , that grooming has been develop out as a separate $ 99 - a - year program calledOne to One . And you know what ? It ’s still afantasticdeal ; you ’d be crazy not to take advantage of it , if you’re able to .

Apple ironware and software program — especially the consumer clobber — is dead uncomplicated to practice . In fact , many of the program are deceptively simple . The interface are intuitive enough that with some canonical knowledge you may pretty much get started mighty aside , and that ’s where a hatful of user stay . But with One to One you’re able to really get under the hood , working with a flight simulator to understand how to get the most out of the apps you trust on on a day-by-day fundament .

Apple ’s business line of professional program take this usage up a few notches , and , as far as I ’m concerned , this is where Apple Store flight simulator can really shine . If you or your company has invested in industrial persuasiveness tools likeFinal Cut Studio , Aperture , Shake , orLogic , you owe it to yourself to get the most out of them that you’re able to . And here again , those trainers can work with you .

One special feature of speech of One to One is that it ’s not just a canned presentation : It ’s custom - tailored to your needs . So the first time you meet with a trainer at an Apple Store , he or she will help create a curriculum beseem best for your needs depending on what you tell them you want to do . And just like the way of life it worked with ProCare , One to One authorizes you to fulfill with an Apple Trainer up to once per calendar calendar week .

Now , One to One believably is n’t the expert substitute for real , professional on - site education , but for that , you ’re going to pay more like $ 99 per minute , not $ 99 a year . Heck , the fee for One to One is barely more than the cost of a match of training guides at Borders .

By the style , although the price has n’t modify , Apple has improved the value proposition for ProCare exploiter . Instead of just covering one car , ProCare now covers up to three . Apple has also contribute a “ QuickDrop ” Robert William Service for ProCare customers that let you drop off your Mac for military service at the Genius Bar just by show off your ProCare card ; you do n’t need to sign up for a merging with a Genius using the Store ’s concierge service . And Apple Geniuses will now sit down with you to craft a backup scheme well suitable to your use . So you ’re get more clap for your long horse there , too .