I wouldn't want the MacBook Pro though. Sure the extra power would be nice...but I'm happy with what I have. The lack of a s-video port, only having one FW port (have to have 2...3 would be nice), and the slower SuperDrive (not to mention lack of dual-layer capability) makes it as bad of a choice as an iBook for me now. The fact that they haven't released power consumption (battery life) ratings and the information I've seen on the Intel Duo chip (as high if not slightly higher draw than the G4, not to mention a brighter more hungry screen); and the fact that its a first run version just don't make me real eager to want one.
I kind of agree on the upgrade thing, but then again this kind of thing has been going on since day one, particularly for hardware. On the PC side of things its even worse...you're lucky to last a month or two before your new system is outdated (its slowed down recently though). The Mac side has always given you around six to eight months before that happens, so you kind of have to be happy with what you get. They are in the business of selling their product and the only way to do so is to create something better so that the sales continue. It just boils down to buyer-beware I guess.
A year in time for software is on the inner-edge of the norm really. Quite a few people actually get ticked off when they don't see some kind of upgrade show up within a set amount of time.
I think a bigger issue revolves around the notion people have that they have to have the latest, greatest 'thing' to rate. People do it everyday for far more expensive items than a computer—cars for example. Why some people buy a new car (or lease) every two years is beyond comprehension to me; not to mention a huge waste of money. Generally the answer is it's human nature that causes it; companies of course know this and want to profit off of it.
As far as fair price...maybe. I am after all used to paying quite a bit for software given my occupation. Someone posted on here about wanting a 2d/3d capable CAD system and I ranked programs under $250 as "low price"...which in that area it is. Some are pulling $4000+ per seat, with a majority pulling in the $700 to $1300 range. So yea...$79 seems like a steal in comparison to what I'm used to.
