This idea of a dumbed-down computing experience reminds me of AOL. I wonder if Apple continues going down that road, if it will cost them. Look at the exodus from the proprietary, locked down "internet" that occurred in the last decade.<p>Now AOL was never as <i>cool</i> as Apple is, so perhaps it won't be an embarassing device to be seen using. But if Apple keeps moving in this direction, those kinds of negative connotations <i>might</i> hurt them. It's a bit early to have any certainty though...
<i>The iPad is not a personal computer in the sense that we currently understand. </i> One wonders what led the author that it would be? Apple is still making the mac, which is not closed.