OK well... with the feedback I've been getting and today's release of the 8-core Mac Pro, I'm pretty much sold. So now it's just a matter of ironing out the configuration details...

Is there any configuration option on the Mac Pros that I can't do myself at a later time for less money? Hard disks and memory should obviously be a cinch (though I'm curious to know if third-party RAM upgrades work as well, esp. with regard to thermal issues).

If I'm buying a $4k computer, should I spend the $250 for the AppleCare Protection Plan 3 year warranty? I don't know much about servicing Apple machines yet, so I don't know the reliability and managability of Macs (or possible lack thereof) would require it.

I think that will just about do it for me. Thoughts?