I've purchased a Mobile Me disc (currently on the way) which I should receive next week.

I believe Apple also offers 60 days free trial?

So is it possible to sign up for the 2 month free trial and then add my subscription serial number so that I get a total of 14mths service?

Do I need to wait until the end of my trial to add the subscription or can it be done any time during the 2 months without eating up any of my 60 free days?

I've never used the .mac/mobile me service before so not sure how the whole subscription thing operates.

Cheers

Wait until the end of the 60 days, then enter the subscription activation code from the MobileMe "box" you have purchased.

Note - What you have purchased is the MobileMe 'package' containing only a piece of paper with an activation code and apple stickers, there is no CD.

So if you do this you should come out with 14 months subscription I would think, could be wrong though.

yeah wait until your 60 days are done and then enter your code. I think if you enter the code before the trial is finished then you only get 12 months from when you enter it.

yep. what i did here, and then scored the extra 90 days apple gave for stuffing up over the first few weeks, altho i never really had any issues... so i got 4 extra months....

Note that MobileMe trial requires a credit card number (presumably to allow annual fee to be automatically charged at the end of the 60 day trial).

There is no way to delete the credit card number to prevent the automatic charging at the end of the 60 day trial (in case you miss the deadline with your activation code).

Entering your activation code prior to the end of the 60 day trial means you lose the rest of the 'free time'.

So, ideally (i.e. to get the full 60 day free trial), you'll need to pay the first year's fee on credit card, and then use activation codes for your 2nd year onwards.

From MobileMe help:

Using an activation key to create, upgrade, or renew a subscription

You can create a new account, upgrade an existing account, reactivate an expired account, or renew an existing MobileMe subscription with an activation key, a unique alphanumeric code that gives you credit toward the purchase of MobileMe services.

NOTE: If you choose to upgrade an existing account or renew an expired account, you will need the member name and password for the account.

To use an activation key to create, upgrade, or renew a subscription:
Purchase an activation key through the Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Reseller.

Go to www.me.com/activate and follow the onscreen instructions.

If you upgrade a subscription that is still within the free 60-day trial period, your one-year subscription begins immediately and any remaining trial period is eliminated.

awesome, thanks for the info guys much appreciated.