The 6 month warranty is probably calculated really for operators who have machines onsite 24hrs a day, 7 days a week for high usage.

Perhaps the Home market should get a 12 month warranty instead but the only way for Stern to police this so to speak would be for the local Stern agent to provide a extended warranty for people that he knows only place the machines in a home environment for a home use only application.
But the problem here, is that every man and his dog is giving "siting a machine on a location" a go. So I wouldnt expect a 12 month warranty anytime soon unless Stern looks at matching JJP if they provide the 12 months warranty for the WOZ product etc.

* Also, I have read on the Stern website that they have a completely new boardset (new computer boards) coming at the end of 2012 which will then be provided to all new Stern pinball machines. Obviously, people who are interested in the boards and their makeup will be looking forward to the new boardset.