The build quality of the Macbook Pro is worth the 10% extra you pay over a Dell Latitude/XPS/Precision. People that run over to best buy and find an HP that will fall apart in 3 years are comparing Apples to oranges..
Seriously, go look at the display machines. They're usually a bit scratched up at both stores (indicating a good bit of use), yet all of the HP/Asus/Dell hinges are wornout, keyboards flexing, etc.. Pick up one of the 15" Dell Studios and listen to the frame creak and flex. Now go to an Apple store and try it with a 15" MP Pro..
Being able to use bootcamp and have Windows 7 and osx is fantastic. In 2006 Apple's entire product line was incredibly overpriced and over hyped. Now with the unibody MB Pro they're worth the premium.
Just my opinion, but Apple doesn't have a product that competes in the cheap laptop market. Their plastic MB is a waste and overpriced, might as well get a Pro. IMO all of their desktops are overpriced, as is the air.
Yeah, our entire company uses HP, im constantly cleaning up little piles of electronics from when they fall apart on us. Drives me nuts.
/sarcasm
Every PC we have is HP, 250 users, over half are pushing thier 4th year and a hand ful are over that. Aside from the occasional expected hard drive failure, ahm... yeah... you're wrong.
Every computer in existence has the possibility of having an issue.
Also you cant tell someone they are comparing apples and oranges, and then do the same thing yourself by telling someone to check out the display models of Dells and HPs at best buy and compare them to a MB Pro (thats MB not MP btw). Easily machines that are sub $1000, and more often than not, sub $800, and then tell them to compare that to a MB pro that is $500 more expensive. If youve used or seen a business class HP notebook, they are much more sturdy and well built and are also closer to the price point of a MB Pro (but still less expensive).