Re: Love 'em or hate 'em...
>You don't make piles of cash by selling stuff that lasts or is easy & cheap to fix.
Really? Can you support your claim in any way?
http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/laptop-brand-ratings
http://www.zdnet.com/article/consumer-reports-notebook-reliability-survey/
http://www.digitaltrends.com/buying-guides/which-laptops-are-the-most-reliable/
If Apple's business model is to sell gear at a high margin, and find ways of enticing repeat custom through making newer, lighter faster etc models, then it is of no advantage to them to make flaky kit. I'm a bit confused of why you think it might be.