I guess I'm just having a bad day because I can't let this pass. The power behind the computer is the software. The Hardware in modern computers is very very fast but all it really knows is TRUE, FALSE, MOVE, ADD, SUBTRACT and a variations there of (and yes I am grossly oversimplifying). Software is what makes or breaks a computer and the funniest thing about the relationship is that software has grown so fast to completely erase the amazing speed growth in the hardware.

The computer most of you are using is astoundingly, amazingly capable compared to early personal computers. Memory size/speed, disk size/speed even networking capability greatly exceed professional workstations only 10 yrs old and outperform nearly all the original "super computers" so we can surf the net, play flash games on facebook and edit our pictures.

Computer capability is more than just simple #s like GHz or GBytes. Fitting everything into a low power, light weight, sturdy package like a laptop pushes the envelope. Different constraints but similar challenges for desktop or server solutions. Component selection is also based on statistical models of predicted reliability and little things like circuit board design can have huge impacts on "usability".

So I can easily find PC Hardware down around $500-$600 because someone will make design trades to fit that market. Those trades mean they gave something up to get to that price. If that works for you great, but it does not make the alternative overpriced. In every recent evaluation of apple laptops I have seen, they have been priced nearly identically with equivalent PC laptops. Can I find a 15" PC for less than a 15" MacBook Pro - yes, the question is what are the differences and can I live with them. For a lot of people (and businesses) the answer is they can but that doesn't invalidate those that make other choices.

Sorry to rant - tried to keep it informative.

- Eric