iMac's: Serviceability/Reliability

[geekboy2000]

Having had my mini now for over 2 months, I'm convinced that the replacement for my "main" Windows box will be a Mac (when the time comes). I love everything about the iMac's, but coming from a world where the flip of a lever provides access to the entire innards of the machine, I'm concerned about the serviceability (or lack of) of the iMac. If you're lucky, and nothing ever fails on the main board, it's only a matter of time before the HD fails. It's likely that the DVD/CD drive will eventually need replacing as well. Are these components replaceable by the end-user (one with a reasonable degree of skill)? If not, what do people do when their iMac needs service? Take it to an Apple store (few and far between)? Ship it away? With serviceability a prime concern, would the only logical choice then be a Power Mac? I have the mini of course, and other "backup" Windows machines, but the idea of being down and out concerns me.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[BlindingLights]

Well, I have had my iMac for about a month now, and I can say I have NEVER hit a "bump in the road." I don't think I'll ever need to use the protection plan I bought except maybe for a small thing that normally happens to iMacs, and occasional questions, as I am still new to the machine.