People, average people, still don't need computers. People need a simple little interface box. A thin client.

I'm sure a lot of people would be happy to pay xyz dollars per month to a service provider for lease of a thin client, a moron-proof connection to the provider, "web-based"-ish applications like editors and photo organizing wizbang gizmos and email clients provided and maintained by the provider, along with data storage with proper backups (gasp). For god's sake, if nothing else, get the main data storage out of people's houses.

If you have a couple of companies, one of which can build sharp computers, and one of which can develop sharp web-based applications, and one day they start rubbing their crotches together...

All it takes is time.

"My computer's broken."

What if the rest of that conversation went like this:

"Did you reset it?"

"Yes."

"We're sending out a guy to swap in a new one."

"Thanks."

*click*