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.
Now AOL was never as cool 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 might hurt them. It's a bit early to have any certainty though...
The iPad is not a personal computer in the sense that we currently understand. One wonders what led the author that it would be? Apple is still making the mac, which is not closed.
Now AOL was never as cool 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 might hurt them. It's a bit early to have any certainty though...