Apple ProCare

The best thing about running a business on Macs is that you can go a long way without bringing on any IT folks as long as you are a reasonable computer user. Unfortunately, machines break or otherwise mysteriously screw up. When that happens, you have to try to figure it out for yourself. Teh Internets make this fairly simple. Google is your friend. He will typically send you to a post on the ever helpful Apple Support Discussions, Mac OS X Hints or some other support community.

Sometimes, you need professional help. If you are near an Apple Store, the Genius Bar is usually very helpful, especially if you pick up AppleCare with your machines. The problem with the Genius Bar is you head down to the store and have to stand in line with all the other folks with problems. The wait can be hours, which is not a productive way to spend a day.

The best way around this is to purchase an Apple ProCare account. ProCare is a nifty little service that lets you make appointments for service or other help from the comfort of your own office. Then you just arrive at the appointed time and let Geniuses figure it out for you. It costs only $99 per year and is a bargain--especially when there is a new iPhone release out.