AppleCare Protection Plan

[likwid]

Next month I'm emigrating to Gran Canaria (!!) and planning on buying a 24" iMac from the Spanish Apple store and have it delivered in advance of my arrival. So, as a new to Mac guy I have a couple of questions:

Is it worthwhile buying the rather expensive protection plan?
How reliable are iMac's and how likely are they to need service?
If they do break, how difficult are they to fix once out of warranty?

Any other advice would be great>

 

[likwid]

That's great, thanks very much for info. I am planning on buying through HE having just finished Uni and still having student ID valid until September. Not sure whether I can buy under HE store from Spanish Apple store as a student of a Scottish Uni yet.

 

[likwid]

Sounds great, will try that tomorrow from Uni.

As it happens, I just had live sale support chat with Apple agent:

Hi, my name is Mick. Welcome to Apple!
You: hello mick. mark here.
Mick: Hello, how can I help you?
You: i am spending this summer in gran canaria before returning to scotland next year to finish my degree. i would like to buy from he store and have shipped to canaries. can i do this from uk store?
Mick: I'm afraid that is not possible
Mick: When are you leaving?
You: in a few weeks
You: end of month
Mick: okay
Mick: Then you have plenty of time to have whatever you wish to order delivered in the uk before you leave
Mick: you can simply bring it with you
You: the reason i hoped to have delivered to canaries is slightly prohibitive shipping costs. canaries part of eu but shipping more expensive for larger insured items
You: would the spanish apple store allow me he discount as uk student?
Mick: no
Mick: what are you looking to order?
You: imac 24" 2.8
You: rather large and heavy
Mick: It's quite large but not too heavy
Mick: Having it delivered to the uk and bringing it with you is your only optoin I'm afraid
You: ok. that's great. thanks mick for your help

So apple agent says I can't order through HE and have delivered to Spain. Wouldn't mind ordering here but it'll cost me best part of £100 to ship insured to Canaries.