[jocampo]

Yes, Apple computers are expensive! I agree with that.

I do not fully understand why big companies are not able to design a good laptop or computer which prices can fall below the $500 or $400.00 margin. Talking about high quality products, enough RAM and good CPU power. I am assuming the profit margin is so low, vs the on going support nightmare (because when new, still you need to provide support) that it is not sustainable at long term. A few reasons: manufacturer needs to pay some royalties to Micro$oft in order to ship their products with X or Y Window$ flavor, a good and solid supply chain that can freeze or hold computer part prices (hint, Japan's earth quake put that on test)

The advantages or vertical systems or companies, is that they don't care about the Os part (royalties, fees, licenses, etc) because they own both. But for being a success, they also need to push the developer area and software market so people can buy their products.

Windows sucks as operating system, but the reality is that it is widely available for developers and games, plus Microsoft also produces the most important productivity software which is Office. Most companies do not use Linux as alternative, so the only choice for productivity package or the well known is Office.