I might be wrong about this but I think the people of HN (and people in general?) have better opinions of hardware patents than software patents.
Besides, almost all of these patents seem to protect the ornamental design rather than the utility. Most people here don't object to patenting the design of cases and the like.
Though I'm now beginning to wonder. Could someone copyright the design of cases and sue for copyright infringement/plagiarism? Or would that open up an even worse can of worms?
That's exactly what's happening between Apple and Samsung in Europe and elsewhere, right now. Apple complains that the Galaxy tablet is physically too similar to the iPad.
Well, also, out of 30 stories on the HN frontpage, all 30 are about Steve Jobs. That's a pretty good indicator too.
This is just 'the most accurate you can get' list of things Jobs invented or co-invented... No need to start another patent dispute over it.