I think it completely depends on the software you use for a living. We model out product in 3D and then send it to local machine shops to produce the parts. The software is really intense, mechanical and thermnal simulation and more engineering capabilities than an MIT professor. The space mouse cost about $500-- All of the engineering software on my laptop cost the company ~$95,000 with all the little goodies. I'm not sure about the reply comments about video editing, I've never done that. But if you could see what we do, you'd probably say its justifiable. (Which scares the crap out of me when I think of a piece of plastic and a few electronics components costing ~$500)