I don't think this is very fair to Microsoft. With all due respect they have never put out something that far into the red as far as being defective goes. Not working to previously thought capabilities is one thing, but flat out breaking, that isn't their style.
Besides, it would be really stupid to blame Microsoft for the problem. They created the machine, but I doubt they manufactured them in house. Obviously some problems occured between the manufacturers and the transaction of machines to the public. Maybe some factories cut corners to rush production; maybe Microsoft overclocked their default specs at the last minute and didn't foresee problems and 'flew blind' as we call it in the newspaper biz (when we send something to press with an untested change because we're relatively sure it won't screw up).
That aside, let me kick on the moderator mode here: Nowhere in the thread does it ask "Do you like PCs better then Xbox?" so let's just put the brakes on that kind of stuff before it gets too far off the topic of the xbox's problems. Saying you prefer it because of this is one thing, but once I start seeing back-and-forth replies about it I tend to get more wary, is all.
From a personal standpoint I don't blame them. I'm sure people are mad but I doubt Microsoft released a buggy machine. Remember, Microsoft is a software company--as far as mass production and worldwide distribution goes, having a game console made is relatively alien to their company. Knowing the ebb and flow behind the scenes, I'd blame corner cutting on the manufacturer's level for these problems, not Microsoft.