for all of those screaming that they want to be able to upgrade their system. It is a fair point but let be describe a scenario first to set the stage for my question.
You buy a computer for say 2000. 2 years dow the line you swap out the CPU and RAM only finding out you need a new motherboard as well. Thankfully your old graphics is still PCI xpress 16x so your upgrade is about 1000. A further 2 years down the line you swap your HD to a faster SSD and replace the GPU. Another 1000. Giving your computer another 2 years. That is 4000 over 6 years. Let's for arguments sake say that you then repeat from start.
Apple's suggestion: Buy a computer now for 4000 that should last 6 years.
The real difference between these scenarios, or offerings if you so will is that in the first scenario you have an adequate, but not great system and it keeps being adequate. At no point in time will you have a great system.
In Apple's suggestion you will have a great system in the beginning, an adequate system half way down the line and a less than adequate at the end.
So, finally to my question, is it really such a big difference? Isn't the real win with upgradeability that you get to spread out your spending and never have to deal with the lows?
Consider that you can most likely reduce the 6 years in Apple's suggestion by selling your old system before buying a new one and still stay at the 4000 / 6 years, while upgrading by replacing your entire system every 5 or even every 4 years.
Thoughts?