Of course sales are poor...we are so used to paying a premium for the cool factor, and for quality (debatable), why would we go for plastic? It's largely (if not completely) a case of perception here. I just got off the phone with Apple because I need a new laptop. After tallying up a 15" Mac Book Pro with Retina Display, 3-year Apple Care, and a few other necessary extras, I'll be paying about $3k out the door. I wince as I write this but it's worth every penny for me...if I'm at Apple and I'm already being gouged, why not just get the best thing they have?