Yep- very disappointing.
I wasn't expecting discrete graphics or quad core processors (although either would have been nice!), but the price is higher than I was expecting, and with an 8GB limit there's no way I'm buying (and it's not even my money).
I'm currently using a 2010 15" hires & a 2011 11" air, both are fine, but as a new research student I get a laptop, so something I can easily code on (11" is too small), doesn't weigh too much (I commute almost four hours each day at the moment, the 15" is a lump) and will last me three years (I get one computer & I won't be able to afford another until after I finish the PhD!) would be great. Unfortunately this isn't the solution, hopefully I can wait for Haswell.