Not all professionals use pitch-correction...
Price is big issue too, as well as added noise. I think the rack version is only like 30 dollars more now (it used to be over 100 more), but that could be spent on a better mic cable or a box of CD-Rs.
I wouldn't recommend tracking with Auto-Tune, so adding later can also introduce extra noise that could be avoided with the software.
Finally, the process sounds alot more natural if you just tune the specific notes that need them- in software, you could highlight the offending syllable and drag it up/down to where it needs to be. This will make it sound alot less auto-tuned.
Also, check out the Akai piece as well as the Oberheim OB-Tune plugin, which is only 50 bones. It's Antares' technology, but just a stripped down version. I think the only thing missing is the ability to slur notes a la Cher-Bot and Brittany Spears....and I know you'd never wanna do that.
Peace
Chris