Is some ways, the TIE is a far more advanced starfighter. It is faster, and far more manuverable, than many of the rebel starfighters, excluding the A-wing. And the TIE-Interceptor is faster and more manuverable than the A-wing (I think). The probelm is, TIE fighters lack sheilds, which is there largest drawback. Because of this, TIE pilots rarely are able to live long enough to become the superior starfighter pilots the Empire thinks they are. Also, when you look at the novels, movies, and comic books, how often to rebel starfighters get smacked by TIE laser cannons? If it weren't for sheilds, the rebellion would have had starfighter losses far worse than the empire did, because of the simple fact that TIE fighters are better fighters. Even the great Wedge Antilles would have fallen well before Endor. Sadly, due to the fact that the Empire had to build such a massive amount of Starfighters to keep everyone under control, that putting sheilds on all of their TIE fighters would become a financial nightmare (This has been discussed here before.) Also due to the financial strain of needing such a large starfighter force, TIE fighters lacked the armor of most rebel starfighters, so that even a glancing blow to a TIE from a laser cannon could prove disasterous. Yet another drawback to the TIE fighter. Now, two TIE designs were tested, which eliminated all of these problems. The TIE-Advance, which Darth Vader flew in ANH, and the TIE-Defender, which is seen in the EU. But if you look at the EU, the mentioning of these starfighters is also normally followed by the mentioning that Imperial high command deemed them far to expensive for realistic production. It wasn't until after the peace was signed between the NR and the Empire that the TIE-Defender saw any serious production numbers, and the TIE-Advance never made it beyond the prototype stage. (Jumping around a bit here) Now, let's say the Empire did install sheilds on all of its' basic TIE0starfighters. Due due the frequency of Rebel starfighters being hit by TIE lasers, we already know TIE starfighters are better in two separtments, speed and manuverability. If they had sheilds, which would give TIE pilots a fair shot at surviving and becoming even better pilots than they already were. This gives them a severe edge over even the rebel A-wing. Now all the rebel starfighters have over the TIE is a hyperdrive, and torpedo/missile launchers. You know, I think I am done.