Manic, I guess you fail to understand that APPLE sold 6 million iMacs. In another post you said that number is insignificant compared to PC figures. Of course it is compared to ALL PC's sold, but it is huge for a SINGLE model of a SINGLE manufacturer's computer. And you keep saying, who will buy these things? Probably many more than the 6 million who bought the original iMac over its life span.
You always say noone will buy a computer that is not expandable (a "prison" you call the iMac) and that it would be hell having an iMac. But that is exactly why so many buy these machines, because they are simple. What grandma and grandpa, average Joe, typical American actually cares about expandability and what not? So many of them want a computer that just works without hassle that they can enjoy! That is exactly what Apple's goal was, not to make the perfect computer for every human! You seem to believe that just because the iMac doesn't have every advantage a computer can have makes it a piece of junk. There is no "one for all" computer. The iMac is not marketed to computer nerds who want to play around with and upgrade their systems.
No first time computer buyer is going to do what you did- go out, find the cheapest components, buy them, and assemble it themselves. They aren't interested finding a dirt cheap computer they have to make themselves, or any OfficeMax sold piece of crap. To sum it up, a cheap PC is not the answer for all computer buyers!! I don't see how you fail to understand this!! You seem to be stuck on the fact that you can buy a (you say better) computer for less and think that makes the iMac worthless. Absolutely not. It is not the Cube II (a flop), it is an iMac (overwhelming success). It does not fit EVERYONE'S computing needs, but is perfect for so many others. They will buy it.