Should You Spring the Cash for AppleCare for your New iPad?

If you’re one of the lucky few to end the day as the proud owner of a new iPad tomorrow, you’re probably going to want to keep it safe--a sturdy case, microfiber cloth, maybe a screen protector. But even with a pound of prevention surrounding your all-too-fragile tablet, accidents still can happen.

That’s precisely why Apple’s has extended its previous iPhone-only AppleCare+ policy to its iOS tablet. With the new iPad (and sales of the discounted iPad 2), AppleCare no longer limits its coverage to manufacturer defects and phone support; for a few extra dollars ($99 as opposed to $79 for last year’s plan), you still get an extra year of service and a full two years of tech support--but it’s the little plus symbol that makes all the difference.

You might be surprised to hear it, but AppleCare is suddenly a great value. Available for all new iPads purchased within the past 30 days (starting tomorrow), it covers pretty much everything: if you spill a cup of hot coffee all over your iPad or drop it down a flight of stairs, you can use your AppleCare to fix it. And if you’re particularly clumsy, Apple’s got you covered there, too; each plan covers up to two instances of accidental damage in two years, though both fixes carry a $49 service fee.

Consider this: Without the new AppleCare, you’d have to pay Apple $99 just to replace a dead battery. With the new AppleCare, you could toss your iPad in a lake and for $149 (cost of AppleCare+ and $49 deductible), you’d get a completely dry, fully working machine. Not a bad deal at all.