Originally Posted by potter

This is how it is. Apple uses some of the best hardware available on the market in their computers. Sure, in some instances - there is hardware on the market better than what apple is using. However with that said there is no retail computer manufacturer offering it. With apple you get the best hardware that is being used in the retail market. That is the only reason they are more expensive than most retailers (however with your specs, you know $2k for a computer is cheap as all hell).