I realize that’s sarcasm but why exactly would that not be a reason to increase the price?

Absolutely, this is how most markets work. Take women's fashion, for example.

No, that's not how women's fashion works. Maybe once upon a time, but price no longer corresponds even to prettiness.

Trust me, my ex was way into that stuff.

Yes. Same as comparing a generic $30 ATX case to a lovely $300 Lian-Li case. Apple isn't interested in selling the equivalent to the $30 case.

I would never for a second claim the price for a Lian-Li is just because it's prettier. It's a bad analogy.

HDMI Output, SD Card slot, and the change in the power supply (no more brick) I think the HDMI is what kicks it up, along with an updated gfx card.

how is it prettier?

i liked previous design much better!

One reason it's prettier is because it is no longer accompanied by a huge plastic power brick that's almost half the size of the computer itself.