Well I've done it - just finished ordering my very first IMAC. Goodbye PC/Microsoft (well mostly - alas I am still tied to my old buddy for work )

Who says advertising doesn't work?! My wife and I saw the recent IMAC TV commercial and thought...oooh that looks good...and as she's sick of the wires and mess that is linked to our current PC she was keen for me to pursue a little further.

Well suffice to say my pursuance led to an outright addiction! Why we never made the move before (even LOOKED at a MAC) is beyond me - particularly now with the increased PC/Microsoft compatibility there is just NO MORE EXCUSES

So I'm now eagerly waiting on a IMAC 24", 2.8GHz, 750GB HDD and Wireless Mouse (kept the wired keyboard as not quite ready to 'let go' of a full size keyboard just yet!!).

I've also ordered IWORK 08, VMware Fusion (for work related ties back to Win XP!!) and upgraded my wireless router to the Apple Extreme Base Station. Woo Hoo

Now my one question for now (I'll search the forum first for the many others that are sure to follow) is to do with Apple's Protection Plan - Is It Worth It?

I have just forked out a fare amount of dosh for the above kit so hesitated - as in PC land I have always to date been able to troubleshoot and solve any issues on my own (with a little help from the web and respective forums a'la you fine folk) - including procurement of readily available components.

I'm pretty 'PC' literate and Technically savvy so dont think I'll have much issue with losing out on the phone support - but the 3 year technical support - being new to Apple/Mac I'm not sure I will be quite as self sufficient - or even if I'd be able to should I be so inclined (I saw the forum article in how the IMAC has to be taken apart - it was 'scary' to say the least for a DIY'er )

So I am now getting prepared for the big migration upon arrival of my gorgeous machine.....(like upgrading from a tramp to a lady really )
Migrating email from OUTLOOK I think is my worst issue (already scouring the forums for suggested solutions here ) and the rest is mostly media and some office files that I can just dump on an external HDD.

So thanks for letting me rant n rave about my coming over from the 'dark side' and look forward to any replies/suggestions regarding the APP option.

Good on you!
Welcome, and enjoy your stay, I hope its a long one!
First of all, the APP is definitely worth it, just in case.
Have you used a Mac before? If you haven't you will really notice the speed of the Core 2 Extreme iMac almost immediately (the 10 second boot-ups)

Just get the APP and forget about it, because its better than being uninsured and having to repair it for extra cash (I'm not saying that will happen!)

Regards,
Larry

Many thanks. yes I am sure it will be a looong relationship...I haven't even got it yet and already thinking of my next purchase down the track..hopefully a MacBook Pro ...

First things first..yes I hear what you say - was I correct in my understanding though I can purchase it any time within the initial 12 mths (for technical) warranty period, or within 3 mths to continue the phone support?

I also hear it can be bought on Ebay for considerably less - anyone done this and lived to tell the tale

Cheers

Hmm I think it extends your warranty for an extra 24 months.

APP is only worth it if you need it....and then its invaluable!!

you can buy it much cheaper on ebay, there has been much discussion on Whirlpool of the question of whether Apple would honor a APP bought overseas. the fine print suggests not, but apple do register the APP when you buy it from ebay.

i have asked a number of times for anyone who has successfully used an overseas purchased ebay APP to document their successful claim - no one has done so to date.

Congratulations on switching over you wont regret it .
yes you should get APP

hope all goes well

First of all, welcome! The APP is definitely worth it, I know it's seems like a lot upfront, but just do it.

For the piece of mind, the APP is worth it. I have used it on 3 of my Machines so far, with total parts and labour well over $4000 combined. I would say that my small outlay was more than paid back in spades. Personally I wouldn't bother with APP from eBay, (but I am not a risk taker by nature). I would just purchase one here is Australia (and to be honest it really isn't that much money when you consider how much you have just spent).

Hi and Welcome. I too have just switched. You will find my blurb here. There are two pic's on page 2 in separate entries. AppleCare we believe is well worth it, considering the cost of the machine.

Have had great fun (easy) bringing everything over from the PC, even though I could not get the two to network.

After all these years have finally organised 4745 digital photo's into 64 events and indexed to 66 keywords. (keywords are the trick here). Next task is to scan in all those old print photo's.

Created my first iPhoto calendar which we printed out and gave to a good buddy of ours for a New Years pressie.

Am now in the design and organise process for an iWeb and My Gallery site .Mac for the family.

I would also recommend downloading Stuffit Expander for all those different windows format compressed archives and VLC for all those windows media files that Apple wont play and Adium for all your MSN Messenger contacts. (they are all free)

So, so far have had nothing but joy from our iMac, even modified the Dash to match the table.

Enjoy.

Cheers.

Thanks all for you feedback and making me feel welcome - I keep reading just how many others have made the 'switch' and not looked back..so cant wait to receive my baby!

LEON, yes good point as yes, spent a packet already so its a minimal investment over and above. I 'm sure your'e glad you spend the $200 bucks or so up front

FINEWINE, thanks! and yes you sum it up well - thanks also for the tips on the extra's - sure they'll come in handy in setting up shop - which i too look forward to the 'challenge' of migration :-)

Thanks again all ..seems I gotta go and make one last purchase

You can buy the extended warranty anytime in the first year if you need more time to think about it/save up. Not sure how that affects tech support though.

Just to let you know I've just ordered an APP for IMAC

Cheers and thanks again to all.

i recently had to get my imac serviced (G5 imac) and while it is an old mac it still runs like a champ ... buying APP saved me close to $1200 ... it is definitely worth buying if you plan to have the mac for an extended period of time.

can you buy APP after your 90 days is over?

Yes, you can buy APP up until a year after you bought your Mac.

I bought my APP off Ebay for 60% less than what Apple was asking here. I haven't had the need to use it but i cannot see any justifiable reason Apple could give for not fixing my MBP if something happened under warranty because it is a worldwide warranty.