I'm not sure if you know where I work. I deal with the hardware side of
everything, you trying to argue while bringing your "work" into this, therefore you must know what you're talking about, is pathetic.
Value retention is the same as any good brand laptops, look at the Asus G73/G75's, Lenovo Y Series ideapad's, they all have the same diminishing resale value as the Air/Pro. If you're comparing it to Envy's, and Qosmio's, you're doing it wrong.
Apple has created a monopoly of software that is indeed good, but you have not looked deep enough to realize there are competing software, that are just as good, if not, better, for free, or for paying software.
Garageband -> FL Studio
Time Machine -> System Restore (please don't tell me time machine is better, you would have to be half retarded to not know how to use system restore)
App Store -> Google Play
Apple Care -> NCIX Extended Warranty
Itunes -> Windows Media Player
Do tell me these "other brands" that aren't meeting criteria.
Trying to tell me spec's dont matter when purchasing a laptop is like saying you have no problem forking up 200k for a mustang because its convenient. I don't know why you would shy away from knowing what your laptop's internal's are, this should be the biggest buying factor right next to the battery life.