> You would at least need the $169 AppleCare to allow for the possibility of free repairs on the iMac for 3 years

Kind of off topic, But in Australia the AppleCare is kind of a moot point as consumer protection laws mean Apple provides free repairs, replacements or refunds for something like two years.

From what I've heard it's similar in EU and China (and I believe Mexico, but I'm not sure where I've heard that from).