IBM buying Apple? No dice

As soon as rumors began to fly about the IBM-Lenovo deal, bloggers and others began to buzz about the possibility that IBM would use the opportunity to buy Apple. The thinking goes that freed of the PC unit, IBM's server and microprocessor units--which plug the PowerPC chip--would push to buy the company as a way to break Intel's stranglehold.

The contract posted by Lenovo, however, says no. Page eight says that directly or indirectly, IBM or its subsidiaries agree not to sell or manufacture personal computers for five years.

Meanwhile, page 36 defines a "personal computer" as "any self-contained, programmable general-purpose computing device in a desktop, mobile or tablet platform." In other words, no matter what the chip or OS, IBM can't do it.

But a bit of wiggle room remains for conspiracy theorists: servers and workstations designed for high-end applications and compact mobile devices. Interpret that as you will.