[jfb]

Keep in mind that with these custom designed laptops, price is determined by volume, and by logistics, and Apple sells a lot more of these class of machines, and has by far the best logistics -- you're not going to be able to get much cheaper than Apple in the same class of machine any longer.

[seanalex]

Very good point. I guess the days of same-hardware laptops being 50% less in price are gone. I would love to just jump in and get the 13.3 macbook air, but $1200 for the 128GB SSD and 8 GB ram is just a bit above my budget.

[jfb]

Yeah, the "Apple soaks you for 50%" meme is largely invalid these days. FULL DISCLOSURE: I work for Apple.