Yes it is, I'll grant you that. However, it's also not like I just came up with them on a whim. They're more of an amalgamation of things I've come to enjoy and eventually require on a portable machine:

> 11" screen computers

Because I want to be able to throw it inside a small/medium backpack without it being kludgy. 13" is the maximum.

> with giant trackpads

That was actually the reason for why I bought my first Mac. Life changer.

> full aluminum casing

Now anything else feels cheap and brittle. Also, harder to clean.

> around 9 hours battery

Or more! But 9 hours is already enough for intercontinental flights once we take our the time spent sleeping, etc. Less time, however, won't do.

> backlit keyboard

Not necessary because I touch type, but still nice

> which go for less than $ 899

And that's the killer feature, because you can get any of the other features with zero hassle if you don't mind throwing money at it.

Sibling post mentioning the Dell that fulfills all of that is exciting for my pocket! :-)