Tom, I'd be fine with the price if Apple made a computer that I and many others want. I don't want an iMac for the same reasons I would never buy a rumored Apple television: I don't want convergence, and I don't replace my screens as often as my computers.

That's why the Mac Pro is expensive, because if you don't want a Mini or a new monitor, you have no choice but to spend a minimum of $2500. I don't argue that the Mac Pro is incredible hardware, but Apple is fully capable of making a $1200-1500 computer with Sandy Bridge chips in it. Do you have a theory for why it is that Apple doesn't make a mid-range desktop?