[renzo88]

The key difference is that apple cares what their computers look like when they're open. Dell doesn't. An ugly switch would ruin the line of the Mac's case and look out of place.

Now, you may disagree with that philosophy, but Apple is wildly successful for it. Personally, I don't like Macs anymore, but I do absolutely respect that attitude.

[foxfluff]

I think removing the side panel would ruin your Mac's look more than a hidden switch behind the side panel does.

[renzo88]

Apple believes that even when the computer is open, it should look good. Thin Steve loved joking that the back and insides of his computers looked better than the front of the competitors.