[karajorma]

One for the "You couldn't make this up and have people accept it" file.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/jan/08/microsoft-offices-raided-ipads-stolen-apple

Microsoft's reputation as the "less cool" rival to Apple appears to have been reinforced, after thieves raided its Silicon Valley offices – but only stole a collection of iPads.

The thieves made away with five iPads worth more than $3,000 (£1,865) from Microsoft's research and development centre in Mountain View, California, over Christmas.

Microsoft's flagship collection of smartphones and tablet computers remained untouched in the raid, according to Mountain View police who spoke to The Register.

Red-faced Microsoft employees were presumably relieved to find their own company's gadgets had been overlooked when they returned to work after the Christmas holidays – but immediately reported the iPad thefts to police.

News of the raid came to light after a Palo Alto Daily Post story on 4 January, headed "Microsoft says somebody stole its Apple iPads". The final line of the story included the intriguing nugget: "No Microsoft products were reported stolen."

The story prompted a flurry of "too good to be true" claims on technology blogs, but was later confirmed by Palo Alto Daily Post reporter Angela Ruggiero who wrote on Twitter: "So to everyone out there asking, yes the story is very real. Thanks for your interest."

The iPads were said to have been taken from an office where Microsoft develops new software for Apple products. No word yet on whether the thieves were only after the unreleased Microsoft apps.

Microsoft had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.

[LHN91]

Basically, thieves want to get those goods out of their hands as quickly as possible for the most money. iPads sell quick, and sell for a fair amount. Makes sense that they would go for the iPads here. I wouldn't expect the kind of person willing to buy stolen iProducts to have the mental capacity to know what the Microsoft equivalents are, or why they might be better. They just know that they want an iPad.

[headdie]

Basically, thieves want to get those goods out of their hands as quickly as possible for the most money. iPads sell quick, and sell for a fair amount. Makes sense that they would go for the iPads here. I wouldn't expect the kind of person willing to buy stolen iProducts to have the mental capacity to know what the Microsoft equivalents are, or why they might be better. They just know that they want an iPad.

why would you break into a Microsoft office for iPads alone?  kind of suggests there is more to this than a simple opportunist break in

[Black Wolf]

Yeah, this sounds like someone deliberately taking the piss. Still funny though.

[NGTM-1R]

why would you break into a Microsoft office for iPads alone?  kind of suggests there is more to this than a simple opportunist break in

Two assumptions here: First, they knew/cared they were breaking into Microsoft. Second, they didn't look around and just grab the most immediately salable stuff.

[headdie]

why would you break into a Microsoft office for iPads alone?  kind of suggests there is more to this than a simple opportunist break in

Two assumptions here: First, they knew/cared they were breaking into Microsoft. Second, they didn't look around and just grab the most immediately salable stuff.

yes that is indeed very possible.  just looked around the site on google map, several big buildings, the occasional sign and no fence so it's entirly possible they broke in not caring where they were

[Mikes]

Headline should read: MS Offices Burgled. Only Toys Stolen.