The comparison with Apple is perfect.
I do not advice anyone to buy anything made by Apple for the exactly the same reasons
If people want overpriced stuff that is less versatile because it supposedly makes them cool, I guess it'll just have to be that way.
A fine example is the new Ipad ... a silly device with very little functions and nothing new ... but hype it enough and people will buy it and even fight to the death for it if they have to.
I've got a Panasonic Toughbook here ... it has everything an Ipad has and more and it has been that way for nearly a decade ... although they are pricey though.
I also had a 6GB MP3 player before the Ipod came out, but once the Ipod came they hyped it so it seemed they invented the whole thing.