Rapid DHCP: Or, how do Macs get on the network so fast?

Ok, seriously? That isn't a bug in an implementation somewhere, but in fact a feature that Apple actually is proud of? Am I the only one who finds that if you get a room full of people sitting around with Macs at least one person gets their IP address stolen by someone else?

(edit: I just got downvoted, and then asked the people in the room with me, and they seemed to agree with my perceived correlation regarding the "another computer is using 192.1.0.1" issue... instead of just downvoting, maybe reply? It is actually quite common that DHCP leases on a network get reset for various reasons, and if you just jump on the network without revalidating your lease, you are actually quite likely to just "presumptuously" steal someone else's IP address.)

If you are on a known network, your DHCP lease is still active, and network equipment is working as expected, all of these assumptions are safe. The most common failure scenario is where the DHCP server has lost its DHCP lease table. For many consumer routers, this will occur when the router is rebooted. If you have to reboot your router frequently, you should replace it. Even if you do encounter a failure mode, the error will clear a second or two later when a new address is negotiated via DHCP and the subsequent ARP update.

This is very clearly a trade-off. Devices like the iPhone and iPad are switched on and off very frequently. The difference between 10s to network ready and 0.3s to network ready is more than significant; it's monumental. This is especially true for devices whose use-pattern will involve frequent on-off usage.

If you're uncomfortable with this trade off, you should stay away from Apple devices. Personally, I'll take the 10s.