I have great admiration for Charlie Brooker and respect for his views but on this one he's simply barking.
Imagine if he were talking about cars instead of computers. Most people just want a car that works. Most people are oblivious to what goes on under the bonnet, they just want to drive around in it and when it does go wrong, they get a professional to fix it for them. It's not about being scared of cars and how they work, it's about preferring to spend their time on other things.
A computer is just a tool for doing a job. I don't care how it works, as long as it does work. And I don't care if it's a Mac or a PC, as long as it's the right machine for the job - at work we use Macs because they are better for design work (the Adobe factor, as Woofage says). If I wanted a high-end gaming machine at home, I'd get a PC because they're better for that kind of job.
For most people - who don't want high-end gaming machines or powerful design capabilities, and aren't interested in customising their machines - the interface becomes the most important factor, and on that score the Mac wins hands-down. It's just easier to use, more intuitive and the applications are better integrated.
As for "Fisher Price", I remember a friend hurling that insult at Windows XP when it first came out, largely because of its garish colours and chunky, rounded icons. It's interesting that the look of Vista seems to have stolen been inspired by elements of Mac OSX.
Brooker, you're wrong for once.
d.
