Mac build quality really isn't all that. I've known people have all sorts of issues with them, from batteries getting hot enough to cause damage, to one guy whose screen had to be held on the side with a bulldog clip or he had no picture.

Also, I think a lot of the supposed "reliability" of mac based laptops comes from two things - Firstly, they just don't go through as much, daily, as a laptop does. Their use is much more specific.

Secondly, people buy macs and are fully aware of the fact they're making a fashion statement by buying one. A lot of people buy them purely to make that statement, or because they think making that statement is proof of how great macs are, as a sort of self-extending cycle. Because of that, people with macs baby them. They really do. Two of my university lecturers have macs, and they treat them as if they're allergic to even the slightest scratch. Compare and contrast every laptop owner I know whose machine is Windows or Linux based, and they just expect their stuff to work and don't much care how the laptop looks. Or if they do, they're customising its looks themselves and don't mind getting it scuffed or scratched because they'll just do it again if need be.

LOL. What does this even mean?

Well, the macbook pro is built brilliantly.
But these cost over 2500 dollars here. They should be!
Apart from that; They are just computers. And you won't know how good they are until they're 5 years old an still going strong.
When it comes to hardware, there's no reason to buy a mac. I think we can all agree on that.

Jansz - Basically, people use macs for work and work related things. I've never known a mac gamer for example, whereas I do know a bunch of people who will bring their laptop to places just so they have something to play their emulators with while they wait to do something. Or they'll bring it around to a friends house for gaming over a LAN, even if its just Zdaemon (Doom port).

Compare that with the people who I know with macs... with those people its a case of the mac doesn't go anywhere with them unless they already have a very specific use in mind for why they're going to need it with them. Its part of the babying thing, they seem to not want to put undue travelling stress on their prized pristine white glossy fashion statement, lest it look like its been used extensively. I've seen macs that look like they did new years after they were bought, and its not the build quality that does that, its a lack of hard use. Those macs I've seen that I know do get a lot of use, have been just as worn looking as any laptop, and have broken about as often too. Or more often.

Can't say I can relate to this. I've been lugging my MacBook Pro with me all over the place for the better part of two years and thus far it's not showing much wear and tear, presumably because its exterior is metal.

Same here. I take my MacBook Pro to school everyday during the school year. It looks okay for being 1 1/2 years old, give or take. For most of that time I never had a skin or case around it either. I would take my Windows laptop out and about more often but it's a freaking heavy thing compared to the Mac. Both have 15 inch screens too.

Mac can take over the laptop world for all I care, I've had my share of laptops (6, in 6 years), and I will never... ever... buy another. Not even if Jesus comes back on the 21st and starts a laptop company.

Do people really need their laptops with them all the time? I'm not denying the reason for it, just curious.

You'll never buy another laptop?
Like laptop as in laptop or as in PC?
Cause someone before used laptop as a way to say "not Macs"

...little computer that folds open and closed.
Windows based, or otherwise.

Whoever that was, don't use that person as a reference when you're going to buy a new PC ;D.

Eitherway, the Macbook pro should be sturdy for that price.
You can buy a Panasonic toughbook for that and you can really smash those against a wall. Literally.
I have an IBM Z60M that fell off the table at least 10 times with the previous owner. Still going strong, not even looking bad. I'm not sure if a Macbook could stand that, but then... That very IBM costs twice what a Macbook costs. I got it for free, which is great, because I think that price is ridiculous.

Tonka should start making laptops.