I would argue that win 10 that’s been working on there for a long time will also run like a charm. Or enough of a charm that they won’t care to change it. And if it starts throwing errors, preventing the from doing things they want, or breaking down, they’ll just think it’s the machine and replace it. Most people don’t think of OS and Machine as separate, independent things.

The proposed class action comes after Apple scrapped a controversial CSAM-scanning tool last fall that was supposed to significantly reduce CSAM spreading in its products. Apple defended its decision to kill the tool after dozens of digital rights groups raised concerns that the government could seek to use the functionality to illegally surveil Apple users for other reasons. Apple also was concerned that bad actors could use the functionality to exploit its users and sought to protect innocent users from false content flags.

Honestly, if they eat this $1.2B fee and chalk it up to standing up for user’s privacy, this is a massive win for them.

You don’t need price fixing for any industry to go this direction. Take the gas station idea. You’ve got a corner with 4 gas stations. Each one can see the traffic the other ones get and can easily see how much they charge. All it takes is them saying “well, people are still buying gas at that station for $X more than mine, so I’ll charge that as well. And soon they’re all skyrocketing to whatever the consumers can afford.

Calling a group put on Price Fixing requires proving they colluded together to do so, but that’s not required in this scenario. Every landlord can see how much other rents are and if they can make more money and keep their renters or get new ones, they will push that limit. And honestly if they can raise it enough to cover some vacancies they’ll do that, charging 30% more but having 10% empty is still a net 20% in their pockets.

For most non-tech savvy people, the OS is part of the computer. It comes with win 10, that’s just the way the computer works and it will stay with 10 until the hardware fails or is too slow and they need a new PC. They’re not separate. And if a PC costs more, they’re just going to deal with it longer or give up on a desktop/laptop and do more on their phones.

TIL: 20 years ago was just yesterday. Go buy CDs! They still make them!