I just purchased an Asus UX51VZ with 2x128gb SSDs and a 15" 1080p display that weighs less than a Macbook Pro Retina, for $400 less than the Macbook would've cost. The Retina has a couple of big wins over the UX51VZ (battery life and higher resolution display) but I wouldn't put them in different classes, or claim that Asus isn't even trying.