IMO, they're not close to the best computers on the market. There's little consumer choice in models, and not close to enough BTO options. The hardware prices are also 50% higher than PC's with identical hardware. And there isn't enough power available in their Macbook "Pro" line, and what is available is at insane prices. And all that is ignoring the latest releases, with no MB firewire and no MBP Matte screens, as well as almost identical hardware as the previous lineup, and a higher-priced Macbook with a less powerful processor.
Well where do you start? You could mention the fact there's no mention of software at all in your screed and in software, Apple is untouchable. You could also mention that Mac sales growth have outpaced industry growth in fourteen of the last fifteen quarters, so the market seems to be making their mind up on what are, "the best computers in the market".
The lack of power in the Pro comment is so silly, it's hard to know where to start, particularly considering the shift of emphasis to graphic processors in architecture that Snow Leopard will take full advantage of, which leaves us with the usual matt screen and Firewire whine, which, when considering mobile hand set computing is experiencing explosive growth (check those iPhone sales figures again) is as petty as it is irrelevant.
You may want cheap and nasty laptops that are just barely good enough but I don't and nor does Apple.