The chassis, IMO, is the difference. You're right that modern PC components are generally fine and fast and reliable enough to meet all needs, but Apple builds their PCs integrated a way you'll never get slapping components together from off-the-shelf parts, and they do put a premium on quality.

Go check out a MacBook Pro at an Apple store- its got glass over the LCDs instead of plastic, a chassis honed from a single block of aluminum, MagSafe power connector, backlit keyboard, multitouch mouse pad- all this is how Apple demonstrates that it's a superior product, and people respond to that.

Now, consider that Apple just dropped the entry-level price for these touches that, I will contend, make a HUGE difference in day-to-day use, down to $1300 (for the new MBP 13) from over $2k (previous models MBP which started at 15″). That's one part of why Apple is up and Microsoft is down.

The other part is, the two are apples (rimshot!) and oranges- OSX is a loss-leader Apple uses to sell hardware, while the only hardware Microsoft sells is the XBox, where they take a loss to sell more software. The first of these is a sustainable business model, while I would contend that the other is not.

Uuuuhhh… yes it is. They just happen to be better at doing it without insulting their customer base, which is what Microsoft tends to do.

Its bad enough when the brainwashed crowd was hyping that processor speeds werent the only measuring stick since the Motorola chips were magical but its Intel now so at least weve gotten that BS out of the way.

Its a niche product. Fine. Enjoy it. Some people pay more for their wine, others dont care if its got a bottle cap. Some people buy expensive euripean cars, others will never buy a new car. Its a choice and a question of priorities.

>I've never understood why companies don't focus more on building >something of quality where they can charge a premium

Some people…many people wont pay a premium.

Some people like choice. Some dont mind only chocolate or vanilla ice cream while others like the fact tha there is 42 flavors.

Some people just cant understand things. WHich is why a few times a week I either talk to or read someone talking about how underpowered netbooks are. Yes, if you want to edit HD movies, they are. But to do 'net' things, theyre not. Still, some people just cant understand.

>Money is not Apple's bottom line. Building the best machines with the >best consumer experience is.

Ok, just shut up now.
Youve lost any credibility repeating company PR campaigns.
YOU are the person marketing campaigns are built around.

i understand that people need to justify their spending and that people love being part of a 'club' but I hear the same thing from riceboys who talk about the money they put in their 4 cylinder cars to make them 'sound' faster.

>If companies build quality products that people really desire it could >really change the world.

Im going to throw up now…..

Money is not Apple's bottom line. Building the best machines with the best consumer experience is.

I've never understood why companies don't focus more on building something of quality where they can charge a premium which in turn would allow them to pay their employees more which would in turn stimulate our economy.

There's absolutely no reason why we can't have a radically different economy than the one we have currently.

How can constantly cutting costs by cutting corners be good? I believe capitalism could work better for everyone. We've just got to get out of what I call the Walmart way of doing business.

Everybody deserves to earn more money. If companies build quality products that people really desire it could really change the world.

I hope to see this in my lifetime.