[cydonian_monk]

To retro-paraphrase your question: "What on Earth would Apple do with NeXT?"

Sometimes it's not about the product, but the people. Maybe the current Apple board /really/ wants Zuck to run the show. Best way to do that is to buy FB.

I agree with you, though. Apple buying FB would be a not-so-small mistake.

[randomdata]

"What on Earth would Apple do with NeXT?"

Use their software holdings to become a major success story? I'm sure the people helped, but Apple wouldn't be anything like they are today without ownership of NeXTStep. And it was no secret at the time that Apple was looking for software as they were also courting Be.

[philwelch]

In 1997, Apple desperately needed an operating system, which is why they bought NeXT. Having Steve Jobs as CEO wasn't actually what either party had planned on.

[mikeash]

The NeXT acquisition was totally about the product. Apple's product line today is built almost entirely on what NeXT brought to the table.