A plastic computer is not the same as one from machined aluminium. They may have similar specs, but they are not the same computer and the premium you pay falls directly into the spots where your specs fall apart.

But that still doesn't mean I'd pay $1000 more for aluminium. $100? Okay. $1000? No.

That's fine, but if aluminium costs $1000 more and there are obvious benefits, then it's no longer the same computer for $1000 less. The quoted Dell is not $1000 cheaper for the same computer because it's objectively not the same computer.

Got any data to support you opinion?

Wut? Are you suggesting that it's just my opinion that machined aluminium is not the same as formed plastic?

No, I agree they are not the same. I thought you were implying machined aluminum is better.

The word "better" is too subjective to make any kind of meaningful assessment.

It's running windows though

Here's a one-star review of it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R3GEM7V96Z5EIH/re...

Well I have one of those and it was properly packaged, sounds like the reviewer bought one that dropped off the back of a van to me.