I agree that the new Tegra2 tablets for example will cost an arm and a leg (probably even moreso than the iPad2), but there are numerous other examples of tablets of previous generation that are comparable if not far better than the iPad, yet much cheaper.
But... generally speaking (and moving away from the portable market), the desktop/notebook segment is where Apple is simply NOT cost-effective (and mildly productive at best - depending on what you're doing).
Apple OS for example is not really customizable so you are forced to do things as Apple wants you to do them.
Furthermore, their hardware price-tag is virtually double (if not more) of a PC equivalent (dektop or laptop segment).
Software wise, most programs are written for Windows (as are games).
I simply cannot (and will not) justify Apple's severely inflated prices simply because they try to 'market' their junk in a pretty commercial and whatnot.
People keep saying it's 'simple' to use a Mac. Lol... newsflash: you will need time and patience to learn something new (especially if you are coming at it from a negative point of view).
I hope that numerous people realize that just because something is extremely expensive, doesn't mean it's automatically better.
The inflated prices are usually due to brand and greed of manufacturers.
Nothing more.
When you compare at how much these companies spend at making a hardware (such as a desktop, laptop, tablet, etc...) when compared to how much they profit from SELLING them... it goes something like this in Apple's (and many other big brand names) case:
They will usually sell their items for about 4x the price (if not more) they initially spent on putting them together.
Interestingly so, the new Tegra2 tablets manufacturers are doing exactly this kind of a thing as well, which is nothing more than simple greed.
If a company spends $200 for making a tablet for example, selling it for $1000 is pure and simple robbery and greed.
The actual selling value of this item shouldn't go over $300 (or $350) realistically speaking.
But hey... capitalism is far from 'fair'.
Money is all that counts in corporations eyes, and they are counting on people's stupidity and marketing to dull people into thinking it's 'great'.
I got myself a smartphone for the first time about 3 weeks ago.
The Orange San Francisco.
Costed me £110 in London of course 9on PAYG).
This little thing is very robust, has 3.5" screen, customizable, decent, and cheap (at least when compared to the specs of other smartphones).
Now, why exactly should I pay £400 for the Galaxy S that comes with a stronger cpu and slightly larger screen?
Not everything is down to brand, and while I will agree that quality plays a big part in the products you buy, numerous 'consumer grade products' have a much larger lifespan than what is originally thought (though in some cases, you cannot really exceed it even with delicate care if the manufacturer intentionally makes it flawed so it would end up 'dead' after say 2 years time).
