reven:

 

yeah dont want to go down the route of use windows/linux/android instead.

 

but those prices for those upgrades is just not on, theyre clearly ripping people off and those prices are wildly out of range of any other RAM/storage options, just saying... vote with your wallet, or keep paying crazy prices.

 

It's quite simple - Apple doesn't want to dilute its brand - having budget offerings would remove the sense that buying a Mac is something special. Plenty of companies do this, it's far from unique to them.