those still have a lower spec video chip, slower memory, slower cpu, no firewire, no bluetooth and unknown battery life.

apple doesn't want to play in the under $1000 laptop market, at least right now. if $500 is what you want to spend, it obviously won't be a mac. a $500 laptop is going to have a lower spec than a $1000 laptop, whether it's a mac or a dell or whatever.