What do you mean by the hardware? If I buy my computer part-by-part, and then assemble it (which I can do with a laptop too), I can make a much better box, for

What do you mean by the hardware? If I buy my computer part-by-part, and then assemble it (which I can do with a laptop too), I can make a much better box, for a significantly lower price, not to mention that I can customize the setup (better sound card if needed, etc) any way I want. And I can alter it after, do partial upgrades, without having to buy a whole new computer. I'm not a Linux Hacker, just a simple developer, but I wouldn't give up my freedom to alter my machine any way I want, even if it would cost me less money ;). Fortunately I have the privilege that I only have to develop software to Linux platform... because I chose to.