The PC is emerging as a cheap fixed-price machine that is tending towards $100 or less. As such, there will be computers everywhere and they will be really cheap to upgrade and replace. While this is certainly going to drive the convergence market (IPTV, PVR, gaming console, etc.), it will make consumers think differently about computers.
With Windows Home Server, Microsoft has found a product that meets a compelling need in the marketplace. This is reminiscent of the kind of traction Windows Media Center enjoyed when it first came out. The advent of digital media in the home has made a server the next piece of hardware everyone is going to need. Not only does Home Server meet this niche, it provides a full compliment of network technology for your home.
Evidently, the process of protecting intellectual property is now a business in and of itself. Companies like IP Innovation, LLC are able to sustain themselves on patents and intellectual property litigation. As it turns out, the virtual desktop metaphore was established in the U.S. Parent No. 5,072,412 and open source products like Linux are in violation. IP Innovation seeks to recoup damages, which basically means they want to pocket some cash since they have no computer operating system products to speak of.