iTunes I understand, but what don't you like about Preview? I think it's actually one of the best parts of the mac. I'm also confused at what you mean by blurry monitors and Xcode dictating what goes in your machine?
Citations for any of these? I have 'make' installed on my mbp without XCode (along with clang, etc), and I use my mbp with 2 24" monitors all the time (in clamshell mode), and it's no less sharp than it is with a desktop.
Also, where's your citation/article/anything that you can't get Make without installing XCode?