>> I would not really call Mac computer pricing "competitive" considering its competitors sell similar-spec'd systems for 50-75% of the price.

I used to mistakenly make such assumptions too. But upon closer examination, er, nope. That isn't actually the situation at all. Seriously, what comparison are you holding up? Not that there are a lot of products that compare straight across to the Mac line. But where they do, the Macs are clearly cheaper. Bizzare but true. *shrug*