If you buy an iMac, you should buy the AppleCare, it's that simple. For that matter you should but AppleCare for any Apple product you buy that it's available for. Don't gripe that the iMac is expensive enough and it should be included. Or if you want to gripe, buy it anyway. When I switched from PC's to Apple, I was like a fish out of water. I was on the phone quite a bit with Apple about the Time Capsule, Air Port, Apple TV, iPhone, iMac, MacBook, you name it. What's wonderful about Apple support is that it's easy to get someone on the phone pretty quickly, that speaks clear english, is knowledgeable and will stay on the phone as long as it takes to resolve your issue. When you know you have such a great resource at your disposal, there is no need to fumble around with online help or through manuals, you just pick up the phone. Ever try that with Dell?