well, Since I heard the rumor of Apple losing stock and probably being knocked out by Microsoft ::RUMOR::
I would not doubt Microsoft, Being the Giant that it is, make a final kick in the nuts to Apple, and open its own store... just not as expensive as Apple.

Personally, Apple, Hollister, Ambercrombie & Fitch, Old Navy, and all the other "YOUR NOT POPULAR UNLESS YOU BUY OUR STUFF" stores need to be burned down to the dirt they belong in. But like I said, Personally. :D

I have to disagree, with you in the respect that I don't believe apple belongs in that category. Apple produces a very high quality product. They don't make "popular computer's", they just make top end computer's that operate better than any think microsoft could ever dream of producing, and charge you a very fair price for them. (which is still expensive)
Every one I know who has bought an I-phone never wants another phone again (probably doesn't need to either because they last so long.) and doesn't know why they put up with them. I have an apple lap top from the 80's that still works fine with little to no problems (except the fact that the battery is old, out of production, and stale so I can't it from the wall outlet0) and I still write frequently.
My Doc from back in Iraq has owned an Apple computer that has out lived two of my microsoft computer's and probably will out live the next 10 more disposable excusses for computer's I buy if I'm not intelligent enough to save up and just buy and apple next time I'm in the market.
Ambercrombie & Fitch, old navy, Hollister, ect.... yeah, those should be burned down.

Yeah, Apple and Microsoft will always be at war with each other. I was Born, Lived, and can not find a reason (Yet) to leave Washington State. So having Microsoft in my back yard is quite fun. Go through there front door saying... "There is a problem" with my service plan in hand, then walk out with a new one... has not happen, but I don't rule it out.

I kinda go for PC over apple cause if a PC breaks down, I can fix it. Apple breaks down... I have to wait, and wait, and wait... and thats on the phone to India tech service. THEN... wait, and wait, and wait for them to receive my broke one and send my new one. Not happening, sorry.

As for the iPhone... Unless I can find the hack to have my T-Mobin run through it. I may take the offer. But my G1 comes first.

I need to make my annual run to the mall and piss off the Ambercrombie & Fitch clearks. (Lil' tidbit for ya... did you know if your 5+ pounds over weight, you can not work at a Hollister or A&F, but they dont care is you buy there clothes.)

I switched from PC to Mac in 2007, and doubt that I'd ever go back to being a Windows user. Vudoo's right, in that if something broke, I could fix it. I could sit there, troubleshoot the problem, test the parts, buy a new one, make sure everything's compatible, and hopefully, after a day or two of work, have fixed the problem.

But I also realize that every time something went wrong, it made me absolutely livid. A random incompatibility between a motherboard and a videocard. Another random incompatibility between RAM and the motherboard. These were "standard" parts - a VIA mobo, an nVidia card - they just didn't work together.

So I realized two things - even though I *could* fix a PC, I hated doing it, and I despised the constant compatibility problems - particularly when playing games. But I also realized that I played most of my games on the 360.

So I got a MacBook. It's been stable, the hardware is better designed than any Windows laptop I've ever seen (and I used to have a really nice, small VAIO that I really liked), and the few minor things that have gone wrong with it (it's a refurb, and the case cracked at one point), Apple's fixed with a quick trip to the Apple store.

@ Voodoo; Apples don't break down.

"Apple produces a very high quality product. They don't make "popular computer's", they just make top end computer's that operate better than any think microsoft could ever dream of producing"
Since when did Microsoft make a computer oh wait they never have. everyone thinks that Microsoft makes the systems as well just like apple but thy don't they just make an os.