It's like all the iPhone clones that were released, when will they learn that there's more to it than simply copying the pretty design? Any iphone clone I've used just didn't wow me at all, as there was no comparison with the iphone's UI. With no OS X on the above machines I don't see what the fuss is all about, it's just a PC.
Hate to disagree with you here, but I do. I've been using Linux for about 3 years now, which in turn has freed me from Windows and I've never been happier. My wife and I just bought a MB Pro, and yet I'm in the process of building a new Linux box (just waiting for CPU) for the simple fact that it's a no muss, no fuss system that does what I need and want it to do, and responds even faster to my needs than OSX does (from what I've found).
Yes, OSX is pretty, it's shiny and it has some fantastic applications which if they existed in the realm of the Linux world, I'd have no desire to get a Mac (Aperture 2, Logic/Garage Band and other similar apps). However, I find that those things I need to get done (in comparison on both platforms) I do so faster, with Linux. And I'm not talking about using command line either. All GUI.
I have also found that if I wanted to, I can get Ubuntu to look better than (perhaps not as polished looking though) any iteration of a Mac OS, but I'm not into that sort of thing so it's moot. I'll be using the new Linux box for all of my CD/DVD burning, lite photo stuff, and basic things like office applications and even multimedia playback. I can basically do anything on it with the exception of
professional audio and photo editing (though I'm sure some Linux zealots would even argue that it can be done, I just don't feel it though) and it requires hardly any hardware beef in order to run smoothly.
As for the mini laptops and such, HP is also in the market, and they'll be releasing theirs soon too. Some of these will be using standard laptop HD's up to 20 and 30 gigs as well as 2 gigs of RAM. I really think that these are a great alternative to carrying around a big ol' notebook, and for those who don't have "Apple Money" to spend, a relief that they can get a lot of functionality in an extremely portable package. You'd be surprised at the numbers of people who are attracted to this market. And I'm not just talking Linux people.
Doug
Edit: I realize that I'm talking laptops and the article concerns a desktop, but it's essentially the same stuff outside of the slight hardware differences. Same principles apply
;D I acknowledged that OSX has some excellent applications which aren't likely to show up on any Linux distro in the near future. It's possible though of course, but not likely due to the nature of business. 
