My only contribution to this thread, (which, by the way is a cracking read):
This was acceptable 15 years ago. I think it's not today. Much like monotasking OS isn't acceptable, even for a phone... Would you use some DOS-like monotasking OS today ? don't you think having a GUI or not is an academic discussion ? after all you can do everything you want with just a simple console, right ?
PS3 runs a monotasking OS. Whilst not a desktop computer, it is in general use by several million people as a web browsing, file (mis-)managing, incredibly restrictive monotasking OS (albeit with a GUI).
Carry on...
