OK, so now you've got your Apple product home. After a while, you're inevitably going to run into a problem with it. Where (besides doing a Google search, of course) do you go for help?

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Well, if it's a relatively new device, you go to Apple. Macs, Apple displays, and AppleTVs come with 90 days of telephone technical support and one year of service coverage at an Apple-authorized repair center. The iPhone is covered for up to two years of tech support while you are subscribed to an AT&T wireless contract.

If you decide to go for an extended warranty, the AppleCare Protection Plan for the Mac or Apple display extends coverage to three years from the purchase date. AppleCare for the iPhone, iPod, or Apple TV extends it for up to two years. Pricing for AppleCare for the MacBook, Mac Pro, or Power Mac is $249; for the iMac or eMac, $169; pricing varies for Apple's other products.

AppleCare customers needing hands-on support can bring their computers to an Apple Store, get mail-in service from Apple, or go to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Any owner of an Apple product, no matter where they bought it or whether they have AppleCare, can walk into an Apple store and get service from what Apple calls the "Genius Bar," either on a first-come, first-served basis, or by appointment.

Business users can get ProCare service from Apple, priced at $99 per year, offering quick drop-off service and 14-day advance reservations at the Genius Bar, for up to three Macs per membership.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, or want to get help from other Apple users, you might want to try a user group. The Internet has been hard on user groups; many regional PC user groups have gone defunct in the past 15 years, replaced by Internet forums. But Apple user groups are still active; you can find one near you on the Apple Web site.

Internet forums are a great place to get support. Personally, I often start with SFF.net, which isn't a Mac user group or even a tech forum -- it's an online forum for science fiction and fantasy fans. But many of them are knowledgeable about computers, and SFF.net has a Mac discussion area.

Other areas on the Internet where you can find online support:

• MacInTouch
• MacFixIt
• Mac OS X Hints
• xlr8yourmac.com, which offers information for maximizing your Mac's performance