In my experience, and that includes office hardware and that of friends and relatives, the fail rate of computer equipment at the 3 year mark is about 100%, regardless of manufacturer. That isn't to say everything on the computer stops working entirely, but it certainly begins to degrade-- buttons stop working, keyboards fall apart, track pads stop tracking. And of course, inevitably, windows has failed as well. The main difference however is in the response from the hardware manufacturers, and far and away the best response has always been from Apple. It helps too having access to a 24/7 Genius Bar.

The combined experience of the many people I know however is basically that when non-Apple computers fail, you are basically out of luck or face several weeks without a computer waiting for service; with Apple, the worst case scenario usually requires dropping the computer off in the morning and picking it up after work, much like with a car that needs an oil change.

The real question then is: will it be easier to replace an inexpensive computer every year for three years or will it be easier to buy one expensive computer and hope it lasts for the full three years?

When can we see this implemented as the next Sim City?

So what's next, Hulu pulling their content from the internet because I have my computer hooked up to a television set?

Obviously it should simply be called a Pocketbook.

Why is the "solution" to absurd security screening designing special bags and not designing better security protocols?

So what happens if a store does not sell all five to employees? Will someone be beaten? Where are the consequences!

So does this mean TiVo is going to be free?

Sounds like a Microsoft Tax is catching up to the Mac Tax.

Isn't Redmond already a generation behind here?

This seems like the sort of thing Standard Oil would do a hundred years ago, only in that case it was preventing railroads from carrying competitors oil. Still, that leaves open the question as to whether HP controls a large enough market share-- and enough suppliers-- to have a true impact.