I fully get that the cheapest option might fit your budget and the MBA doesn't. And that's absolutely fine. Been there, done that. Heck, I wish my 1st laptop had cost $300 but in the end it was more around what the MBA cost today.

But it's not really an Apples to Apples comparison.

I am lucky for having gotten the opportunity to live and work in a country where buying an Apple device is not an issue, and there are plenty of them around the office, but I don't forget my roots nor the monetary possibilities of similar countries that I had the fortune to visit.

Well, buying an Apple laptop is not a necessity or some fundamental human right. It's a nicety for those who can afford it and appreciate the differences (and understand the tradeoffs).

In raw performance per buck you could always get a customer PC setup for cheaper, especially in desktop form.

In some countries, even a $300 laptop comes down to half a year's salaries...

Indeed, which gets back to the original OP point not standing.

> Why would anyone (who is not forced) buy an Intel PC laptop when these are available and priced as competitive as they are?

Apple devices are definitely not priced competitive outside first world countries.

It is an Apples to Dells comparison :)

That's for each buyer to consider, based on their budget and prospects.