I didn't read all 411 comments, but I think saying that the desktop was dead in a general sense (due to AJAX) and cite Apple with OS X (core asset besides the iPod is OS X as desktop!) as a nail in Microsoft's coffin seems somewhat contradictory to me.
Btw.: I don't think that desktop apps are really dead. System file assets/album/playlist integration (iLife suite) or the comfort of a desktop UI (e.g. better shortcut integration - which pro doesn't work with time-saving Photoshop shortcuts) will be hard to mimick in an AJAX, browser-based setting.
Btw.: I don't think that desktop apps are really dead. System file assets/album/playlist integration (iLife suite) or the comfort of a desktop UI (e.g. better shortcut integration - which pro doesn't work with time-saving Photoshop shortcuts) will be hard to mimick in an AJAX, browser-based setting.