I know this will seem quite elitist but here goes...
Eventually they give up trying to decipher the model names, and whether they should be looking in "Everyday", "Performance", "Thin & Light" or "Business" categories and end up ordering a Macbook.
The thing is, if you don't know exactly what features you want(clock speed and manufacturer warranty on the RAM for instance), you will most likely be sold snake oil.
The model numbers on most OEMs are so complex because they are superfluous. After weeks of comparison shopping on motherboards, I can tell you the features and specs of my final purchase offhand, but I'd need to search for the model number simply because I don't need to know it.
Honestly that's what it comes down to in my opinion, you don't care about learning model numbers. I don't blame you, they are relatively meaningless. But you also don't want to learn about the hardware you're buying, and I assert this leaves the buyer at a disadvantage.
I know not everyone cares weather they are actually getting what they need for the best price. Many would rather not take the time, and are looking for a way to make smart purchases without bothering to understand what they buy.
It's just not possible, the compromises shift around from high price for high quality(apple) to good quality, good price and no service(oem brownbox) and everything else.
Again informed shopping isn't for everyone. When comparing laptops, the actual brand is almost the least important factor for me, above shipping costs but well below the manufacturers warranty(which is different on every unit).
The best, most popular brands sometimes ship crappy or broken products, this is a fact. How are you protected from that? Trust in a brand?
This is the same for anything really, from food to cars to USB drives.