What you pay for:
* Size and quality of display (the "raw specs")
* Styling and G5-matched case (that adds value for some, and thus WILL legitimately increase price. And don't say it's easy to design things that look this good, or you'd see everyone doing it. But you don't have to buy Apple style if you prefer something else, to each her own.)
* Ergonomics/flexibility (the space-efficient tilt stand, the other mounting options, the magnetic iSight attachment, the single-cable simplicity)
* USB 2 and FireWire (real 6-pin) hubs
To judge the new prices, could someone please list competing products that offer the same value on all (not some) of the above? Because if other truly COMPARABLE models aren't much cheaper, then all people can complain about is that they "want" a cheap LCD that doesn't exist. Or that they wish Apple offered something with fewer features so it could be cheaper. Fair enough--I just advised someone to get a non-Apple, smaller display based on price. Choices are good!
And if LCD component prices haven't dropped, that's just life for now.
These MAY be a terrible value, but I've seen nothing posted here that truly suggests that you can get the same for cheaper. Prices and specs would be welcome--and SOMETHING has to make up for the lack of Firewire or you can't point to a similar display being cheaper.