TUAW: What's the opposite of flamebait? It's when your PowerBook really does catch fire and nearly kills you--and you write a love letter like Jimm Lasser did. After his PowerBook burst into flames, he didn't lash out at Apple. He grew to love them even more. He writes, "a Mac almost killed me, and I came out of the whole experience feeling more strongly about Apple as a company." TUAW rejoices that Lasser survived and has been able to move on from the whole experience, but reiterates that this kind of bonding, consumer-trust-enhancing experience is not typical.

Maybe TUAW is guilty of taking the guy's comments out of context, but as their post is presented in its entirely, I have to say that this guy is a fuckin' idiot, as it's posted. I'm sorry, but notebooks bursting into flames [under normal use] is an unacceptable event. If that notebook was on a lap, it burns badly; in a computer bag, it could start a massive fire. So why would you feel more strongly about Apple? Because it was a metal notebook? Because the notebook that caught fire looked pretty? I'm sorry, but whichever company is at fault for this - be it notebook or battery - it should never be praised for it, much less forgiven.

Ever.