Mac == PC (Personal Computer).
I think the author meant to say on Microsoft.
I think the author meant to say on Microsoft.
And since people clearly understand what he means, there is no reason for him to change what he says or writes, because by definition he is using language correctly: he is communicating.
No wonder newer generations who missed the transition from minis and mainframes to personal computers find it very confusing.
Your honour, I present exhibit 1:
http://codytaylor.org/images/apple/apple-computers-personal-...
Of course, Apple has really always been at odds with the PC industry, so making a play around the 7 release date comes as no surprise given that Vista tanked.
There is a big difference between 'fails with the HN/Slashdot crowd' and fails to make money.
Probably true, but it may be closer than you think. According to Yahoo, AAPL had $4.8 billion in profit. According to MSFT's annual report, Windows profit was $10 billion. Some of that is XP sales, so lets say $8 billion for Vista. It took Microsoft 5 years to make Vista, and Apple easily cranks out new versions on gorgeous hardware and makes 50% of Vista's profit. Plus, the Windows sales derivative is flat to negative, while Apple's is steeply positive. Microsoft may be making tons of money, but from a business perspective, Apple is a better business.
MS also has a lot of income from licenses/service/support it would still make money for years if it fired all it's devs tomorrow.
The point was that hype aside, an MS 'flop' still makes more money than you can imagine.