Although they're both in broadly the same type of trade, Panasonic and Apple couldn't be organized more differently. Whereas Apple deals mainly with sub-contractors (and all the pros and cons that come with them), ailing Panasonic is a more traditional manufacturer with fixed assets worth $21 billion -- 30 percent more than Cupertino's. Many of these assets -- including land holdings, factories and even a 24-storey staff dorm in central Tokyo -- have the potentia
