I think the hate spawns not from the companies themselves, but the people who buy into the hype these companies output. I can make an educated decision to buy hardware, but I'm angry at Apple, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, (and basically any company that advertises) for manipulating the less technically inclined to purchase their product without properly reviewing the topic first.
Its similar to talk radio. I know not to listen to lunatics spouting hate-filled opinion like it's news, but that doesn't stop others from listening and believing. Should I hate the ignorant masses who allow themselves to be manipulated, or should I aim that rage at those doing to manipulating? I can't make Mac owners or Glenn Beck listeners smarter, but isn't my anger at Apple and Glenn Beck for manipulating these poor souls somewhat justified?
As for Tom's, my only problem is the obvious bias in the choice of topics to cover. We have seen numerous stories about various FireFox BETA releases, but Opera 10 came out without a single article mention (here's a headline: "Opera 10: first released web browser to pass Acid3 100/100"). How many pointless iPhone OS updates have we received (and updates on cracks for each iteration), but only very recently have we been getting any Android news. Months ago Android OS 1.5 added in a software keyboard, don't remember that being mentioned. The Android OS 1.6 also now has copy and paste (no mention of that either?). I remember seeing numerous articles about this missing and subsequently being added to the iPhone OS, but no mention about Android OS updates.
You must be able to see where some of this perceived bias on the part of your readers is coming from.