Are electronics a ticking time bomb?

I was looking on Engadget and saw the post "Sony's secret kill switch: myth, rumor or hearsay?" which got me thinking a bit.

I don't know much about the TV part of it, but I guess anything is possible. TVs don't use the same kind of software that they used to. Many TVs these days run an embedded linux system, so it probably wouldn't be that hard to program a clock that would disable functionality after a 5-year time period.

In the case of computers, I wouldn't be surprised if this was true. Most people I know with a Dell computer have needed parts replaced one way or another. Some of them have had their motherboard bust or malfunction about 1 year after buying it. In one case, it was eleven months, giving a chance to buy the extended warranty. I should note that all of these Dell computers are Inspirons, which is their cheapest line of laptops, and they do feel really cheap.

I think HP is also known for having super cheap computers where parts need to be replaced after about a year.

Any comments?