Well for example, the first point ("Defects arising after customer takes delivery") is not quite right.

At least in Germany, if the defect is not the fault of the consumer (dropped tablet/iphone), producer has to repair. And that up to two years.

So Apple is intentionally misleading consumers here, to trick them, to buy this care-product.

But on the other hand - it is a tax on peoples stupidity. If you do not know your basic rights as a consumer, my empathy for you being tricked into such a deal is actually on the same level as my sympathy for apple, attempting such a trick: Next to zero.

Interesting, I thought it was only for specific cases (failed components etc).

But it's still not a tax on stupidity, it does give you more outside of the hardware repair situation.

My question would be what Apple says if you ask them "Why do I need this if it is already covered under the mandatory included warranty?"

That chart is utterly misleading. There is no such thing as an EU-wide law. Most EU countries have much more extensive consumer protection.

The only real difference is that with AppleCare you can contact Apple directly instead of the seller. But as far as the rest is concerned, in most EU countries you have better warranty by law than what Apple tries to peddle as "service".

There is a European wide law with regard to warranty, see here. http://www.consumenteninformatiepunt.nl/page/en/themes/Kopen...