I seem to recall a well-known product matrix/marketing approach which drives users to a specific product (makes it easier for them to decide to actually purchase) by offering good-better-best, where good, is not all that great, but cheaper, and best is not that great for its cost.
The question is whether or not the 8G offering is the 'good' level of clever marketing and product placement, thus simplifying the purchasing decision for people? Based on many comments on this forum to the tune of 'Apple is a master of pricing such that people go for higher specs because for only $100 more you get....', I am tending to think the low specs are working in Apple's favour (and as many have said, there is also a legit market for those machines.... they are not truly handicapped for light work, at least at the current time).