[Matsu]

I didn't mean to imply that Apple should make $500 notebooks, only that they should find ways to encourage the $500 notebook buyer to think about a $700-1000 machine instead. Something with better specs? Not necessarily. Just something that continues to look, feel and function better than anything else for similar money.

If they're feeling really adventurous, maybe something with a wow-factor?

But what could that be? I think waterproofing is a good next step. They're close already. Just a few gaskets, a membrane, and a bonded screen. The Air has so few ports that there must be a way to economically seal them from moisture.

They don't have to build something that you can submerge in water, but something you can spill your coffee on, or that won't get destroyed if your water bottle springs a leak. Things like that get people's attention. Parents with messy accident prone little ones, outdoorsmen, wannabe outdoorsmen... etc...