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The real problem is that it prints your copier's serial number in yellow ink right on the counterfeit bills:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/118664/article.html

Why would a device be harder to read on if the screen is the same? Or are you referring to epaper reader? I already said those have their niche, but most people are buying LCD tablets.

If you want a decent keyboard, do not get a netbook. Those have keyboards to economize on space above all else. Netbooks were invented for the kind of casual use now dominated by tablets — which is why they're dieing off. If you need a portable device with a decent keyboard, get a laptop. Or if you want a really portable device that works with your favorite keyboard, get a tablet.

Second this. It's the best thing I've ever seen from Redmond. If all their software worked like this their suckometer would read a hell of a lot lower.

If their other software (read: Windows) worked like 'this', then 'this' wouldn't be needed in the first place. /smirk

This isn't insightful, no OS is immune from malware. The single biggest malware outbreak in modern times, in terms of percentage of user base infected, was the recent Mac OS X Flashback which infected 1% of all OS X systems.. And several versions of it did it without user interaction, silent drive-by download just by visiting a web site with a Mac OS X machine.

Even if not drive-by, you have malware that the user is tricked into "willingly" installing. No OS can stop that, without having something like Windows Defender built in, actually looking at the payload.

Oh, the difference here is that exploits once discovered work almost 100% of the time on a board variety of systems. And because the pc market is mostly a monoculture, these exploits effect every system in the block!. In fact this has been observed a number of timer: Or who can forget CodeRed, iloveyou, blaster; conficker/downup, stuxnet, duqu, flame, ... All these had some major impact on the computing community, so you can't compare that with the odd broken axel or loose bolts.

Actually, they don't work 100% of the time.
Its a browser bug.
It only affects IE 6-9. Not Safari, Chrome, or Firefox.
It only appears on a few dodgy websites.
The fact that this is unheard of pretty much means its not close to affecting 100%.

But hey, thanks for reminding me about all those other exploits,

who can forget CodeRed, iloveyou, blaster; conficker/downup, stuxnet, duqu, flame,

I had indeed forgotten about these.
Probably because they never affected me.
Or anyone that I knew.

Because they got blocked by Anti Virus software on windows well before they became epidemic in scope.
And of course none of them bothered linux.

Then how come blaster a did an estimated damage of $320 million http://www.pcworld.com/article/112047/article.html ?

Code red from $1.2 billion to $8.7 billion http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/08 /02/code_red_hysteria_8_7bn/

conficker http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/confickers-estimated-economic-cost-9-1-billion/3207 is said to have caused damaged up to $9.1 billion

So, how can you say it "never affected you". Don't you remember the day when "Slammer" was on the loose?

I was mistaken. I thought it passed. It was rejected.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/131745/article.html

what is the difference between what Bing did and what google does?

http://www.benedelman.org/news/012610-1.html

Run the Google Toolbar, and it’s strikingly easy to activate “Enhanced Features” -- transmitting to Google the full URL of every page-view, including searches at competing search engines.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/187670/Google_Toolbar_Tracks_You_Even_After_Being_Disabled.html

Let me rephrase what happened in reality: A google employee noticed that the bing toolbar reports search terms back to bing -- just like the google toolbar does.. and Google decided score some easy points, and make Bing look like a copycat.

the textbook for 'Global Visual and Material Culture: Prehistory to 1800' features placeholders with a link to an online image.

I hope they don't plan to publish in the Netherlands, since linking is infringing there now.

While I think it's a troll rather a shill, here's some surveys:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/235986/Windows_Phone_7_Edges_Android_in_User_Satisfaction.html

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-phone-tops-in-user-satisfaction#

http://blog.amplifiedanalytics.com/2012/07/customer-satisfaction-with-windows-smart-phones-rise-by-18/

Correct link.

In this case, it's newsworthy for its entertainment value.

I don't know. I mean there are entertaining 404 error pages, but this one really doesn't belong to them.

In this case, it's newsworthy for its entertainment value.

Plus, I bet Google steps in. Its a Google API he is using that is the subject of the troll.

Actually, I'm surprised it took so long for a response. Laminar Research was sued back in July 22, 2012.

In fact, this is part of the lawsuit that Uniloc filed against Mojang (Minecraft) as well, plus EA and many other big names. And the one where the founder says he's not a "patent troll".

I'd be surprised if Google didn't step in - it's Google's technology they're all using in the end. Just like how Apple stepped in when a bunch of iOS developers (and later, Android devs) got sued over in-app purchases.

This is completely irrelevant, and AMD does not make low-power x86 chips anymore.

Ahem, please do your homework before spouting bullshit.
Go shill somewhere that doesn't have access to google

If you have special software it might even be less error prone and faster than paper.

You can make ipads water resistant too:
http://brentsgeekyramblings.blogspot.com/2012/02/liquipel-ipad-test.html
And phones of course:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/243827/hzo_nanotechnology_seal_keeps_smartphones_from_drowning.html

But if someone sits/steps on it...

Even better, imagine the family's mortification when this happens: http://www.pcworld.com/article/87824/porn_sites_hijack_expired_domain_names.html

New business opportunity: headstone QR code removal service.

As long as MS have their deal with manufacturers to enforce a pre-installed windows nothing will change

Dell have done it on and off for years, they just didnt sell well. Asus has done it as well, as has HP and Acer. There's also Apple and a myriad of other manufacturers who sell systems with no Operating System or with Linux installed. The big players focus on Windows because that's what people buy, for the smaller market who don't want Windows there is certainly a lot of variety and there is also the Windows license refund.

Look, I'm an iOS & web developer. I use an iPad all day long, often off-site. If anybody is the target market for this, it's me. And I think developing on an iPad is an awful idea. It's a case of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should". Is it possible to pull up a code editor on the iPad? Of course. But that doesn't make it a better choice than, well, just about any other option. The only redeeming aspect of this is if you already have an iPad with you, it's better than nothing at all. But really, how often is it that you need to do some coding unexpectedly and you only have your iPad with you? This is what laptops are for.

I agree 110% the iPad (and Android tablets) are nice for all sorts of things but they won't replace a full fledged desktop anytime soon. The moment I want to do something more complex than take notes with Pages, do some browsing, read a PDF or write short emails; something like say.... work on my computer graphics (Photoshop for iPad is a joke), edit video, do heavy duty word processing (Pages for all it's uses is rather limited on iPad) or god forbid, develop software, I reach for my laptop. My MacBook Air gives me way more control over the development environment than the iPad which is way to locked down to be of any use. Android tablets are not as locked down but their software and UI is just as limited as that of the iPad. If Apple feels it is forced to kill of the Mac, what I'd like to see replace it is a merger of the MacBook air and the iPad that can be used as a laptop but will morph into a tablet at will, kind of like this thing. It would be really cool to be able to rip the "monitor" off my MBA and have an iPad in my hands but such a device would have to have a more powerful OS X like interface that allows you to do things like tile several application windows on one screen as you see fit will. Trying to use the iOS interface for complex work is like trying to haul a king sized caravan over a steep Alpine pass with a Citroën C1.

This speaks for itself:

http://zapp5.staticworld.net/images/article/2012/03/1187158-office20productivity-11338860.png

from

http://www.pcworld.com/article/252383/windows_8_preview_beats_windows_7_in_most_performance_tests.html

I would estimate that your credit cards and flash drives (which are immune to magnets anyway....), considering some of the highest magnetic fields in nature still require that they be relatively close to wipe information from credit cards.

Not to mention Mythbusters tried wiping credit cards with super powerful magnets without success.

Ahh, Google. Where would we be without a cursory check with you before posting.

How does this get modded insightful?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/251435/samsung_files_patent_lawsuit_against_apple_in_south_korea.html [Bloomberg] Samsung sues Apple.

Companies sue companies. In this broken corporate system we have. BOTH COMPANIES are narcissistic entities who only are interested in YOUR MONEY. Don't defend EITHER of them.

Their thinking simply doesn't make any sense.

- Androids are outselling iPhones (globally, maybe not AT&T specifically)
- iPhones currently don't have real 4G, which is over 3x faster than 3G on AT&T's network
- Android users now consume more data, faster, and put more strain on the wireless network at any given time, compared to iPhone users
- Skype is available on all major platforms and works over even 3G; quality is surely better on 4G/LTE.

And yet, they're blocking Facetime "out of an overriding concern for the impact this expansion may have on our network and the overall customer experience"??

Logic fail, AT&T. Just admit you're being greedy bastards and think iPhone users are more easily ripped off, that way you'll just be extortionists without also being liars.

Those who do lie about it are going further. Verizon is suing the FCC, specifically for the right to choose what content to block, and what to allow. From this article:

This time around, Verizon is playing the First Amendment card. The challenge, essentially, is that by limiting Verizon’s ability to choose which content to block or promote, the FCC is infringing on Verizon’s right to free speech.

Talk about twisted... requiring that users have uncensored access to the internet is a violation of corporate freedom of speech? I think I have to go shower now to get the slime I feel all over after reading that.

Just because no one is buying Samsung Tabs doesn't mean no one is buying Android tablets, I have to agree with Bellal6, the OP is a fanboy.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/248776/androids_tablet_share_at_39_percent_as_sales_triple_says_study.html

Wow that's a thoughtful, complex post. Let's deal with these issues one at a time.

Para 1: Bill is gone. Bill Gates remains the chairman of the board at Microsoft, and hand-picked all the other board members - who pick the CEO and evaluate his performance, give him goals and guidance, set his pay, bonuses and options, and set policy. Bill is still very much responsible for what goes on there, and weighs in on every big decision.

Para 2: Steve Ballmer. You neglected to mention the sea of red ink that is Microsoft's Online Services Division. I happen to like the direction Steve Ballmer is taking Microsoft. Clearly this is a man with vision and purpose who is ready and able to take the company where I want it to go. It takes Marvel Comics level superpowers to get rid of this much cash flow, to destroy a 42 percent success in mobile market share from 2007 given their advantages and high hopes, to so capably destroy the morale and productivity of the world's best developers, to put a company with this much income in $55B of debt. So let's lay off of Steve-o, mmkay? I like him where he is, sweaty shirt and all.

Para 3: No more Big, Bad MS. With the OOXML debacle that nearly ruined ISO, their recent rape of Nokia, their current ongoing rape of OEMs, retail vendors of both their products and Windows PCs, their planned rape of software distributor partners, developers and competing independent software vendors and much much more they prove every day that they have not changed. Last week they confirmed they're going to murder the advertisers they bought relationships with in an acquisition by making "Do Not Track" the default in IE. Just yesterday it came out that the new replacement for Hotmail, Outlook.com is incompatible with Android. The "new kinder, gentler Microsoft" is a myth. They have now declared war on absolutely everybody on Earth, including the people who pay for their products and excepting only the Women's Temperance Union and media executives. Naturally this means I expect them to announce an embedded bittorent feature for IE that involves a drinking game next.

Para 4. Ballmer outbound. Steve Ballmer is not retiring for another seven years at least, when his last kid goes off to college.

Para 5. Immortal desktop victory. It's not enough to take ground. Once you take ground, you have to hold it. MS won mobile with 40% share too [link above], once upon a time. And now they'r

In the news today, Outlook.com doesn't work well with Android. So this deliberate incompatibility thing isn't historical. It continues even to today.

The nice thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from. - Andrew S. Tanenbaum

Microsoft wields standards like an axe to lay low their foes. They are the natural enemy of interoperability - a company that built its business on being incompatible with everything they want to dominate, one corner at a time. Here, for example, is them talking about leveraging standards to dominate Novell, from the documents disclosed in Comes v. Microsoft

Microsoft got their ExFAT format accepted as a standard volume format for SD and its derivatives, and now use it to extort broad patent portfolio licensing from Android manufacturers because if it supports SDHC or uSDHC with a reasonable media size, the Android device must support ExFAT or it won't be compatible with cameras and other devices that use it. That's a clever strategy for Microsoft, but not a smart one for people who made the format standard because it ultimately makes the standard a dead end.

People who just want to move pictures from the camera to the tablet on the card must pay more now for the tablet, or buy the Microsoft supported tablet and we know what those are like. Ultimately it's destructive to the standard and costly to consumers as uSDHC BOM costs $0.07 to implement and the patent portfolio license demanded is more like $15-25 - we can't even be sure exactly what the price is as they won't even negotiate a license except under NDA. Naturally this leads to innovative devices like the Nexus 7 omitting external storage support entirely and holds back progress in the field. It encourages wifi-attached cameras to avoid the problem. The standard becomes a trap that allows one participant in the market to control its direction. Obviously this is not the purpose of standards.

Post the OOXML debacle this is well understood, and nobody who wants their standard taken seriously would align with Microsoft. The ISO may take a decade to repair the damage from that one where resources deployed to put over the standard involved not just dirty dealing, but deploying such heavy hitters as heads of state.

Microsoft is no longer the 800lb gorilla of IT, casting the long shadow they once did. Even Apple swings more weight than them now. Android phones moved more units and profits than their Windows PC OEMs did last quarter. They don't get to make the rules any more. For the rest of us that's a good thing because they really suck at it. It's like playing Calvinball with Calvin, or any game with a six-year-old: rule 1 is they always get to win.

/Why yes, I did hide this comment down low in the thread on purpose.

I'm not a gamer, but even I saw the potential in this.

I'm a gamer and I don't get how this is any diffrent from a Roku or any other set top box with apps.

Maybe that it can already run a wealth of Android software, but isn't locked down by the telcos? That, and the built-in support for gaming input devices.

However, I hope they signed up some good talent for the flagship games -- that's what Nintendo has always needed to do to shift their hardware.

I'm not a gamer, but even I saw the potential in this.

I'm a gamer and I don't get how this is any diffrent from a Roku or any other set top box with apps.

I upgraded from 13.0.1 to 14.0.1 (automatically in Ubuntu, as it was a security update, fixing many vulnerabilities). Suddenly I couldn't use right-click or drop-down menus anywhere in the browser anymore--they vanish as soon as they appear. I downgraded to 13.0.1 and it worked fine. I upgraded again, and it was broken again. Downgraded again, worked again.

Ignored by Mozilla. No choice but to use outdated versions with critical security holes.

Firefox's decline is evident, but Chrome's extension model pales in comparison. Besides, Chrome still doesn't support bookmark tags or resuming downloads!

It's time for a new community-oriented, user-focused browser--Mozilla has gone the way of corporations. But forking Firefox is not a good option--it's an enormously complex piece of software. And another problem is that every browser is a security nightmare, and requires a team of active, skilled developers to constantly fix bugs.

We're between a rock and a hard place. Computers and software are missing their potential so badly.

Of course nowadays there's very little difference in graphics or sound, so people just pick the defacto standard (the OS that has 88% desktop penetration).

Or phones:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/243542/android_ios_games_rake_in_more_cash_than_sony_and_nintendo.html

Pretty sure Ben had it first:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/259791/ben_heck_creates_portable_autonomous_3d_printer_makes_diy_community_jealous.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfdrkHn1wqA

Why is RIM's option any more secure than using Exchange Activesync over HTTPS?

The security of Exchange Activesync over HTTPS depends on the email client recognizing an invalid certificate, and on certificate authorities not issuing fake or duplicate certificates.

1. It has been demonstrated many times that certificate authorities sometimes issue certificates they aren't supposed to, either by themselves or through resellers. I'm sure some certificate authorities would issue fake certificates if asked/compelled by a government.

2. Sometimes fake certificates can be issued that appear to be genuine: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/256742/flame_spread_via_rogue_microsoft_security_certificates.html

3. Many users, when prompted with an invalid certificate warning will just click ok.

That's why.

I don't get the big deal when it comes to supposed BB security.

The blackberry platform from end-to-end has been audited, tested and certified by many government & non-government agencies:

http://us.blackberry.com/business/topics/security/certifications.html

Iphone has been audited, tested and certified by... nobody.

Well, our government does have a history of spying on Americans.

Giving diseases to Americans

And then there are the countless accusations of spying against peace activists.

And the whole thing about warrants - there is no oversight or transparency. All an agent has to do is go to a judge and say that they are a suspect and need to be under surveillance - especially if they have an Arabic name.

Basically what you're saying is, you'd prefer to believe, without proof, allegations that the NSA is illegally dragnet-spying on ALL Americans, and has been doing so for more than a decade, which would involve at the very LEAST hundreds, and more likely thousands, of civilian and military NSA employees, all of whom don't mind that they're directly violating the Constitution, but only one guy who hasn't been at NSA in over a decade is telling you "the truth"? That really seems plausible to you?

Absolutely it is plausible. Google (almost )does it. All the NSA has to do is order ISPs, cell phone companies, google, amazon, yahoo!, etc .... to hand over their data. Your storage is free. Computing power? Dirt cheap.

It would be nothing to do what folks accuse the NSA of doing.

The burden of proof is on the Government -NOT its citizens. Period.

Lastly, I don't believe you. You have no proof and you just posted links to speeches - BFD.

If the NSA or their representatives say something; it's a lie until proven otherwise - that's what spies do: lie, cheat, and be subhuman douche bags.

Having a bootable linux flash drive is an option.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/249870/create_a_bootable_linux_flash_drive_in_three_easy_steps.html

Because hacking never happens http://www.pcworld.com/article/257045/update_linkedin_confirms_account_passwords_hacked.html

What's more, when Windows pukes on itself and the non-power user takes it to "my computer friend" who proceeds to want nothing more to do with it since no rescue discs will work

There should be less need for a "rescue disc" with the "refresh" feature of Windows 8. It wipes the Windows folder and reinstalls any Metro style applications obtained from the Windows Store.

When Windows pukes on itself, it's often not bootable so accessing the "refresh" feature may not always be possible.

What's more, when Windows pukes on itself and the non-power user takes it to "my computer friend" who proceeds to want nothing more to do with it since no rescue discs will work

There should be less need for a "rescue disc" with the "refresh" feature of Windows 8. It wipes the Windows folder and reinstalls any Metro style applications obtained from the Windows Store.

they never compete on price

Really? I was under the impression that they did just that with the first iPad. There were no ~10" tablets in "Android land" at that price at the time.

"Tablet PC makers shaken up by iPad pricing - Surprised by iPad's low $499 price tag"
Apple iPad: The Low-Price Leader?
Apple iPad Cheaper than Notebook Vendors Would Like

It has been mandated by the FCC since 2001 that every cell phone has to be tracked.

aha...IT WASN'T!! Windows 8 release is in October. Looks like Microsoft is going to be scooped yet again. They didn't predict early enough and they won't beat Apple to the punch of taking the OS out of operating systems.

lastpass was definitely hacked. even the ceo admits usernames and encrypted passwords could have been taken: http://www.pcworld.com/article/227268/lastpass_ceo_explains_possible_hack.html

having encrypted passwords plus at least some people choosing weak passwords plus rainbow tables or other brute force tools is a recipe for some people's accounts to be compromised.

In general, you can do work or you can answer questions from management, but you can't do both.

Not buying it; we're not talking about some open-source, crowd-funded underdog, here - If you're really trying to convince me that communicating with customers when things go wrong is too much work for a company that has more money than the government, you've got a tough road ahead. It becomes even harder to convince me of such when taking into account Apple's history of deny, deny, deny.

Yawn. Apple commented that it was looking into the problem last night, and has now confirmed that it has been fixed.

Meanwhile: Google denies Android botnet claim, Google denies preventing anti-competition probe, Google denies 'cooking' search results,Samsung denies, and Samsung remains adamant in denying its full responsibility and unwilling to pay due compensation to all the deceased workers..

In general, you can do work or you can answer questions from management, but you can't do both.

Not buying it; we're not talking about some open-source, crowd-funded underdog, here - If you're really trying to convince me that communicating with customers when things go wrong is too much work for a company that has more money than the government, you've got a tough road ahead.

It becomes even harder to convince me of such when taking into account Apple's history of deny, deny, deny.

"Could you give some real world, concrete examples of these new parts that can be printed out?"

Car keys? AR15 Ammo magazines? Handcuff keys from a photo?

http://www.pcworld.com/article/241605/criminals_find_new_uses_for_3d_printing.html

Here you go

LOL Wut? The PCs have been pretty much ahead of the curve compared to Apple on everything but shiny. Frankly intel is pushing Ultrabooks not because Apple made the air, but because the average laptop goes for $400 and they know their new core chips can't be sold on machines with THAT low of a margin which is why they are trying to push a market where they can sell i5s and i7s.

Yes, Intel never even made countless references to the MacBook Air or even the iPad when addressing their Ultrabook design...

Frankly Apple has NEVER been ahead of the curve, they are a brand, like Prada and Nike. You look at even the machines Apple releases on their refresh and you can get machines that very same day that have MOAR power, MOAR memory, MOAR speed, and cost less. the ONLY thing that sells Apple is the brand, because it'll never be hip to carry a Dell or an HP, that's all.

For someone accusing another poster of fanboyinsm, don't you think you're oversimplifying things a little too much? Have you actually used a Mac? Yes, you can get the same specs for less, but can you get the same specs with the same kind of build quality, battery life, driver support (on both OS X and Windows), display quality, and overall integration with an entire ecosystem for less on anything else?

Not saying their machines aren't pretty, or that OSX doesn't look nice, but that is simply not what gets people to line around the block to buy the new iPhone or iPad on release day when there is not a thing wrong with the iPhone or iPad they have. What gets them to camp like tickets to a rock concert is the fact that its simply not cool to carry last year's iPad anymore than it is to wear last year'd designer fashions. Its status, like Gucci or Prada or Armani, which is fine if you are into that but its not because they are ahead of anything, its because its fashion. Oh and before anybody brings up retina don't bother, you've been able to buy ultra HD screens for years its simply not been something people bought. People buy it now not because they suddenly give a crap about ultra HD on such a small screen, its because that ultra HD comes with an Apple logo. hell i'm shocked they haven't gotten into footwear, they could make $40 sneakers in china and slap the logo on and make $250+ a pair, talk about easy money.

My Nokai 3310 was fine, too, until I tossed it away. Does that mean I should have never bought another phone? Regarding retina, can you please name another brand with them on laptops? Can you name another brand with a 326DPI display on their phones? If it's been available before then I'm sure you can!

> Microsoft was on of the first to the party. It is just that they sucked.

Sort-of correct. Microsoft had a tablet ("WinPad" in 1996 and a "MS Tablet PC" in 2000 at Comdex ) and phone ("Pocket PC" in 2000) long before Apple (2010 iPad and 2007 iPhone, respectively; technically Apple had the Newton in 1987 so they were first but we all know how that turned out), yet sales of Apple's hardware blows Microsoft's out of the water? Why is that? (i.e. Why do non-geeks prefer a iPhone / iPad?. Where is the MS Zune now?)

You mentioned "It is just that they sucked." In business it is ok "to suck", you just have to "suck less then the competition."

Microsoft continues to fail for the most part (with notable exceptions such as the ones you mentioned) because Microsoft doesn't have a fucking clue about consistent & responsive Hardware+Software+User Experience. Apple mastered "good enough" ages ago. Microsoft's "good enough" means inconsistency. It's attention to the details.

References:
* http://www.pcworld.com/article/187062/microsofts_history_with_the_tablet_pc.html
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Tablet_PC
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Mobile
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablet_computer
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune

"Attention to the details" should also include "Command-X" for cut and and paste in Finder.... 27 years and still waiting on that one...

Apple chooses AMD.... Apple choose nVidia... Apple gets pissed at nVidia, chooses AMD and then talks about maybe going low-ball with INTEL...

Apple touts 500MHz PPC machines for over a year... Meanwhile, INTEL just keeps selling more and more while Motorola can't get new toilet paper for their bathrooms... IBM... who dat?

AMD has consistently shown how multi-threading outlasts multi-core in both manufacturing and development phases.... 64-bit apps perform more consistently with more threads... Apple goes multi-core.... ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS

Why bother having AMD make your ARM processors and develop a technology powerhouse for your next OS phase... INTEL still wants to fiddle around with embedded 32-bit cpu designs for.... Grandma Barkers Rum Emporium....ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS...

Know someone who plunked down $4000+ on a 17" G4 Powerbook, only to have the mainboard die after the warranty expired... $900 = ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS

Ever have the power connector on your Apple laptop just kind break because it's a $5 part on a $2000 machine... ATD! Get that replacement for $29.99 at iFixit.com because THEY pay attention to the details...

You're quite right that the first 64 bit release was for itanium, but off on the year and OS. Back in 2001 Win2k shipped for the itanium in 64bit goodness

> Microsoft was on of the first to the party. It is just that they sucked.

Sort-of correct. Microsoft had a tablet ("WinPad" in 1996 and a "MS Tablet PC" in 2000 at Comdex ) and phone ("Pocket PC" in 2000) long before Apple (2010 iPad and 2007 iPhone, respectively; technically Apple had the Newton in 1987 so they were first but we all know how that turned out), yet sales of Apple's hardware blows Microsoft's out of the water? Why is that? (i.e. Why do non-geeks prefer a iPhone / iPad?. Where is the MS Zune now?)

You mentioned "It is just that they sucked." In business it is ok "to suck", you just have to "suck less then the competition."

Microsoft continues to fail for the most part (with notable exceptions such as the ones you mentioned) because Microsoft doesn't have a fucking clue about consistent & responsive Hardware+Software+User Experience. Apple mastered "good enough" ages ago. Microsoft's "good enough" means inconsistency. It's attention to the details.

References:
* http://www.pcworld.com/article/187062/microsofts_history_with_the_tablet_pc.html
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Tablet_PC
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Mobile
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablet_computer
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune

Was done in January and again in February:
http://liliputing.com/2012/02/blackberry-playbook-price-drops-to-199-permanently.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/247202/rim_selling_playbook_tablets_for_300_each.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/tech-news/rim-chops-all-playbook-prices-to-299/article4085706/
http://www.berryreview.com/2012/01/29/shop-blackberry-confusingly-returns-playbook-prices-to-199-16gb-299-64gb/

Yay slashdot!