I think that picture sums up nicely the difference that attention to detail makes.
Having a label like that on the back of your computer probably doesn't make much difference, but when you're carrying around a portable player, I'd say it counts for something.
Oh, and on the Dell comparisons, it's because Apple's sales sytem is loosely based on Dell's, and Dell, being the biggest, a maker of everything, and (usually) the cheapest on the market (hence the biggest), begs comparison to just about anything.
By the way, manitoubalck, you're got a valid point in terms of comparison, but your post sort of implies that Nomad's Zen is a better product. Were that so unquestionably true, I have my doubts that the iPod would be considerably more popular than it (or EVERY OTHER portable digital player to date).
Yes, if you want storage per dollar, Nomad has the advantage, but it's also half again as heavy and twice the physical volume, which is a compelling argument in the iPod's favor for many people.