Since they're making it harder and harder to do any repairs or upgrades yourself, I don't think I'd buy a Mac laptop without AppleCare. For iPad/iPhone, AppleCare+ may or may not be a good deal (I'm more likely to upgrade in a year, and have amex coverage on some damage, and think theft is more likely than damage due to using a case, so unclear). I'd probably get it for a Mac Pro, but maybe not for a personal-use Mini.

The problem is the useful life for an iPad/iPhone is usually more like 2-3y, vs. 1-2y, and for a computer, maybe even up to 5y vs. 3y. I guess if it breaks after AppleCare, as long as you have backups, you just buy a replacement early. I miss the 5y service contracts with onsite service from IBM, though (and even better than Apple for take-in service in non-US countries; there aren't Apple Stores in every country, but there were IBM ThinkPad service locations essentially everywhere).

The loophole where you used to be able to buy valid applecare certs for about half price on eBay seems to have closed, so now they're only 20-30% cheaper than Apple.