High-end Thinkpads are nice, although they usually cost more than a MBP. But with IPS displays, Quadro GPUs, they worth it.
They do cost an awful lot (pretty much on par) but they are as reliable, a lot more hard wearing and good performers. Proof that if you want a good product you need to pay serious money, Apple or Lenovo. I had a MBA for some time but it proved to be a damage magnet. Just not as hard wearing for a laptop that I am supposed to carry around me all the time.
The equivalent Thinkpad is thick & looks heavy, but it is what such a machine should be (and for that application in mind): immortal.
If apple did make a small compact plastic laptop (perhaps at a slightly lower price than the Air) then I would buy it with no hesitation.
As I said, I think Apple are losing the plot a bit, but their kit is still top-notch, there is no denying this. Very solid design & engineering.
I was just trying to make a point: Windows does not mean garbage - the manufacturers are making garbage. A good manufacturer with a good R&D department like the Thinkpad studio makes just as good machines, albeit completely different in style and concept.
From a design standpoint, the fact that Windows can run on the number of different manufacturers and hardware combinations (and still be competitive to an all inclusive solution like Apple's), is imo an Engineering feat in its own league.
A thinking person surely understands that Apple's system should (and must) work flawlessly and in any event better than a cater-for-all solution like Microsoft's. In the long term, I am interested to see whether M$ will ever make the jump to serious hardware production.
Having said that, there is no doubt that for the next 10 years or so, M$ will still dominate the market. Unless of course Apple makes the move and starts cater for lower budgets or decides to reduce their handsome profit margin.
As I said, they suit my needs at the moment.
