Why does everyone always have to get what they want and not just what they need? I might want a $50,000 car, but I don't need it - this is just sad that people feel they should just always get what they want every time. I applaud the guy for realizing he didn't need to spend $1000.
Unless you make money driving, then that's a false comparison. While I don't think "want" is completely necessary, there's merit to the point that if you are making money off the machine and use it daily, it's worth spending some extra money to get something you want. That may be an $80 Thinkpad, but it may also be a $1500 MacBook.
If you were a taxi driver, and cars lasted roughly the same amount of time regardless of how many miles they were driven, then you would splurge on a very nice car if you could afford it.