And the improved single core performance - at a *lower* price point will work just fine for them. *They* certainly aren't the ones on here complaining about soldered RAM, and quad core multi-threaded performance. That machine will last them for years - if all they want is information. I still have a fully functioning Mac mini core 2 duo from what must be going on 10 years ago. RAM and HDD aren't the problem - but the discontinued power cord is. The drama in your post is ridiculous. I didn't realize that Apple was suddenly OLPC.
Obviously you've never been on a government site that wouldn't display properly or process your information because your web browser wasn't recent enough, and then you go searching for web browsers that the website says will work, only to find that the one that is current enough won't run on your machine due to your operating system being out of date. Good luck trying to get on some of those sites with your Core2Duo and an obsolete Mac OS.
You assume much about the people who might be complaining here. Generalizing that none of the people who want upgradable machines are voicing their opinions because they need a machine which will be incrementally upgradable for them for a number of years. Maybe not everyone says why they need a machine that can be slowly updated over time, but they're in here, I can assure you of that.
Maybe you are so far removed from such situations that you really have no idea what their needs might be, what tasks they might need to complete, what might be asked of them, and what they might even be trying to accomplish / or perform as they seek any method available to improve their situation.
Maybe you fail to realize that there are currently machines on the shelf that cannot even handle running the software required for someone I know who is seeking to return to college to better themselves and reenter the work place. Many of the "affordable" machines which use a processor like that in the new Mini won't even run required course software, not to mention the accessibility software they'll need to even have a chance of succeeding in college.
Maybe you're so far removed from the reality of life that you assume that every disabled person who lives in poverty will get assistance and social security.
Perhaps it never occurred to you that such a person might need more than minimum dual core machine, 4 GB of RAM, and might need a machine that will be able to be improved later without buying another one.
Maybe such a person would try to buy what they need to get through this year, and get enhancements as needed for software that was necessary for the coming years later. Focusing on what classes will be taken first, and then meet requirements for the other classes as needed.
I know such a person. I can tell you that person is looking at going to school, needs a relatively inexpensive machine with more than a dual core processor. Why? Because it will not run any of the software they need to get the degree which will enable them to obtain employment in a field they can work in with their disabilities.
Unfortunately, that person doesn't have money for more expensive machines. They've gotten a generous grant to buy them a machine up to X number of dollars. And, could have used a Mac Mini until the recent downgrade.
Oh, sure, you say, go buy one used. No dice. Grant money can only be spent at one of two stores. One of them being a local Mac store, the other one being a department store which only has a couple of machines which the school has already told them will not run the software that they'll have to install. Unfortunately, the grant money will not afford them anything beyond the price of a Mac Mini. Lowest iMac is just out of range.
You know what's even more laughable about Apple's pricing... the educational discount of $20 on a computer. That's embarrassingly cheap of Apple. Really? $20 discount on a computer for educational purposes? Glad Microsoft is more generous... Discounting hundreds of dollars on software for students. I remember when Apple used to give a couple hundred dollars off on computers that were priced in student price ranges already.
Those who speak from up high often have no idea the reality that awaits them later if they themselves find them among the less fortunate.
You can throw out generalities from a mentality of wealth, and I'll be able to provide a real world situation where someone needs more options than a sealed box with no upgrade path.
. I've stuck it out long enough. Nearly 20 years. It's just not worth the headache and the money anymore. Too many options out there. 
