The problem with "alternatives" is that by the time you option them up there's little to no price difference, or they are are indeed more expensive.
I'm not sure what issues eybrows is having but I've not had a single issue with my late 2013 MBP Retina - Battery/performance/screen - all amazing and a proper generational step up from my previous MBP. OK, fair enough - that one had a major motherboard failure after 5 Years but I'd say they are actually pretty durable machines.
The problem with "alternatives" is that by the time you option them up there's little to no price difference, or they are are indeed more expensive.
I'm not sure what issues eybrows is having but I've not had a single issue with my late 2013 MBP Retina - Battery/performance/screen - all amazing and a proper generational step up from my previous MBP. OK, fair enough - that one had a major motherboard failure after 5 Years but I'd say they are actually pretty durable machines.