[tomjen3]

Depends on which group you look into. The social level who can afford to buy apple? Most likely not that many.

Those who can't afford to change the laptop if it breaks (or who would find this to be a major expense)? Yeah, I can believe that.

[jodrellblank]

The social level who can afford to buy apple?

A Toughbook costs more than a comparable MBP.

[moe]

And for the price of a MBP you can buy 2-3 "normal" laptops.

I.e. the low-end budget stuff that ain't pretty, may have a whiny fan, but still gets the job done.

[moe]

Why did that get downvoted?

For reference, here's a Lenovo G550 for $389:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146...

The MBP starts at $1199.

[tomjen3]

And insurance costs more than not having it, but the poorer you are, the more you need it.

So yeah, it is maybe more expensive but I can totally see why you would want that.

[jodrellblank]

I can see why you would want it as well, but if you can afford it then you are in the social group who "can afford Apple".

(As long as toughbook refers to Panasonic Toughbook brand, if there is a cheap laptop marketed as durable that would make a difference.)