[Swordmaker]

I thought something like this would happen when Gates "invested" $150 million a few years ago ,pre iPod.

Why would that drop in the bucket have any affect on Apple 10 years later? Apple had over $2 billion in cash in the bank when MS made that "investment."

When Gates was required by a lawsuit settlement that Microsoft LOST to purchase $150 million of Apple Preferred Stock (no vote), AND continue developing and selling Microsoft Office for Mac for an additional six years AND license certain patents from Apple (Apple was only required by the settlement to license those patents to MS), it can hardly be called an "investment." Microsoft sold that preferred stock on the open market a couple of years after.

The MacOS/Windows battle is now over;Apple has surrendered.

On the contrary, Apple just fired a shot across the bow of the MSS. Microsoft.

[hoosierham]

Oh come on,now people will spend their computing time using Windows to do the office work,homework,etc.It will just be natural to 'net using the already running Windows side.And all those cool games that come out in Windows FIRST.....why would you buy the Mac version sixmonths later IF it comes out?And why would the game people bother developing a version when all they need do is say "runs under Windows"?Games and video drive machine performance,we long ago had all the power needed for letterwriting.I anticipate more websites requiring Windows in order to funcyion for the viewer (why it is needed for the site to know which computer I don't know,but some sites already balk at Netscape).

The diehards and those comfortable with MacOS or the "cats" will use that but new users will Windoze because of familiarlity. Never underestimate inertia.I'm tired,too.