I guess the above sadly says it all then. If you buy a Mac because of the way they are built and/or the parts used you're going to experience problems most likely so pay 1/5 more now on top of the high price to avoid paying tons more later, when it sounds like it's sure to break due to craftsmanship. Amazing. What a shame.
Thanks for the various feedback. At least it gives me something to think about more & worry about.
People who have no issues rarely post to an internet board. People who run into problems, on the other hand, are much more likely to do so . . .
And even so, you will find a large number of positive and enthusiastic threads on macs in this and other forums.
Macs are indeed made from high quality parts and are well built. Open up a mac and look inside and you will see--if you have something to compare against, anyway. I have owned three macs so far and have had no issues with them at all.
Now . . . AppleCare . . . is
NOT necessary. As mentioned, almost all problems, statistically speaking, will happen in the first year of ownership, and that is already covered by the warrantee. So, it is
unlikely that you will need the extra coverage that AppleCare offers. However, as was also mentioned, the cost per year of AppleCare isn't all that much, and for many, this cost is worth it for the peace of mind it offers.
Psychologically speaking, people are more concerned with stuff that they paid a lot of money for. Usually, it is a prized possession. I know I love, love, love my MBP and MP. I dreamed about owning these computers for months, and even years, before I finally did. My first Apple was a used G4 desktop, for example. So, the more you appreciate and love and get attached to your computer, the more you worry about what you will do if something happens to it.
So . . . the question you need to ask yourself is this: "can (and will) I afford to fix my computer if it breaks?"
If the answer to this is "yes", then AppleCare is (statistically speaking) not a bargain (to say the least)."
If the answer to this is "no", then AppleCare is a good idea.
This is the essence of insurance, right? Statistically, the insurance company makes out, because for the individual, they can't risk the cost of being in the wrong statistical group. So, they pay a premium over the true statistical cost, in order to be INSURED that if something does happen, it will be taken care of.
The reason there are so many threads about AppleCare and why so many here are pro-AC, is just due to this simple psychological factor, and does
NOT indicate that Macs are poor quality or prone to defects, or poorly made.