I don't think you can exclude Apple when looking for the problem. Last time I compared Macbook Airs with Ultrabooks, the Macbooks were better computers for the price. The so-called "Apple tax" doesn't seem to apply to this category like it does to regular laptops/desktops. (Or, as the article suggests, perhaps the Intel Tax is equally taxing)
I run on Apple kit because I like the design and build quality, but being reliant on one control-freak supplier brings me out in hives. So I periodically look around to see if there's another supplier I can alternate with.
Nope. Lenovo's thinkpads are nice, but by the time they're spec'd out like a Macbook they cost about 10-20% more. (Better keyboard, though, and that lovely anti-coffee-spill drain to save your ass from the once-in-five-years oops.) Some of Dell's premium laptops look nice and are cheaper ... except the specs are lower end and by the time you add all the extras back in you're paying as much for a Dell as for a Macbook Pro.
It's frustrating! Why can't anyone else build laptops as good as Apple that don't cost even more than a Mac?
> Lenovo's thinkpads are nice, but by the time they're spec'd out like a Macbook they cost about 10-20% more.
This baffled me, so I did a comparison:
The low end (2.3ghz i7, non-retina) 15" MBP with the 8gb RAM upgrade and the hi-res screen upgrade costs $2000 even.
The Thinkpad T430 configured with similar specs (different video card -- nvs 5200m vs gt 650m, worse screen resolution -- 1600x900 vs 1680x1050, better processor -- 2.6ghz) came to $1464.
The Thinkpad W530 configured with similar specs (different video card -- k1000m vs gt 650m, better screen resolution -- 1920x1080 vs 1680x1050) came to $1419.
I haven't researched much, but the last review I read said the Air had the worst screen of the recommended models (I think they talked about Zenbooks, Samsung Series 9 and some other). Whatever - even if they cost the same, can't you imagine some people just don't want a Mac? I actually like the Series 9 design. I would install Linux, though.
The only reason I am still unsure about ditching the Mac is the faint possibility of having to do iOS development in the future. Truth be told, and sorry, that is emotional not so much rational, but I loathe Apple.
As for the tax, it is probably true that Apple ships the largest numbers, but they buy their parts (like displays) from other companies. These companies presumably have therefore also access to cheap parts.
