> On the pro side of this, these design choices were made in order to deliver a very powerful yet small and light laptop

I’ve never understood power users need for “small and light”. Laws of physics say it will be hotter, slower, more expensive than a larger, heavier model with a smaller screen. I tried once to use AE on 15” notebook – burnt 3 motherboards during warranty then sold it. Before and after that machine, always used 17” around 8lbs. Have a $600 HP Quad i7 Sandy Bridge with dual hard drives and a blu-ray player now. It’s fine carrying about. Apple could make a 6 or 7 lb 17” with a 1920 x 1200 screen for less than machine with 3 drive bays.

If you need a lightweight machine for web browsing and email, get a tablet. If you need to serious work, are really going to do it carrying it around in your hand? I mean the difference between 5lbs and 8lbs should only matter if you never go to the gym. What’s so wrong with carrying around a little weight? It’s probably the only exercise some of us get J