Not sure you're right about the Mac setting the architectural/user standard; in fact, not to put too fine a point on it, I'd say you were dead wrong.
Before the IBM PC we had two types of micros (as they were called); the Superbrain type which was like a Mac with the works inside the CRT case and the bussed systems like the Cromemco range which used boards inside an S100 architected (in their case) frame.
The PC sort of took the Cromemco route with a separate keyboard and monitor but moved a lot of the functionality provided by the boards onto a motherboard and used daughter boards to provide specific, optional functionality.
The trend the Mac did ubdoubtedly continue, to be fair, was for over-priced, unreliable rubbish as begun with Apple IIe and which continues to this day.
People moan about Microsoft's predatory marketing - and no one can deny their stuff is massively over priced - but some of the strokes Apple have pulled over the years take the biscuit. And they are still doing it; no user replaceable batteries (iPod, iTouch, iPhone), no peripherals (Mac Air), no after market add-ons (everything).
And I've not even mentioned iTunes...
I wish no ill to Steve Jobs and I sympathise with him and his family in his current predicament but I sincerely hope that we see the back of Apple and all its works long before the next 25 years is up.
What I really hope for, I suppose, is that we all get a little more fishy eyed and see through the glitz and flash and recognise products like the Apple range for what they are. And then go down to Dixons and buy an ugly but perfectly brilliant netbook for less than 200 quid.
(I've no shares in Dixons and hate their stores but they do provide choice and value for money - as long as you don't buy their warranty extensions).
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