> How and why is it so affordable?

Doesn't have a GPU.

Ha. There it is. Thanks. Still really awesome though, because I suppose you can always add a GPU.

On the (soon to be released) 16 yes, but not on the 13

It's cheap because the DIY edition has no RAM/SSD and these are super cheap from 3rd parties currently while other laptop vendors take fat margins on them. Throw in that no SSD means no OEM windows license fee (I have free msdn anyways) and it's just so much cheaper.