The unit was never priced at $500. It was $599. There were pre-orders with a set date at $499. Anyone who ordered by that date has not been asked to pay more money.
Tell the other OP to fix his title too if you really care. You're being a nitpicking?
As far as the laptop, i always assume it was BFL's, as its obvious to me from the pics (i doubt Inaba would have left the username and computer name as default. BFL, on the other hand, would do a fresh install of ubuntu to avoid exposing any personal identity)
I'm surprised someone thought it was Inaba's laptop from the pics.
Now, isnt the test scheduled for this weekend?