That doesn't seem too bad. If you use it daily (240 days a year) and the machine lasts two years, then that's a bit more than $5 / day. I think it's reasonable.
i7 13.5" starts at 1,999. Still pretty crazy that prices are turning the opposite direction lately.
Thanks. Fixed this in my comment.
If the quality is there, I welcome it. I'd love to spend over 2000 on an X series ThinkPad that doesn't burn my skin and has a real screen (3:2 or better).
It’s unfortunately the expected thing, as powerful general purpose computers become a specialized niche tool for developers, since regular consumers are being satisfied with phones and tables and inexpensive laptops. The market is no longer growing, it’s shrinking.