i think the question posed for the Thread is an excellent one. Microsoft has said that it has taken it's lead from Apple in controlling both the hardware and the software.

So where does that leave Microsoft's Partners, HP and the like? Out in the cold presumably. Certainly the cost of $85 for the OS puts them at a cost disadvantage immediately.

How will these companies, who previously relied on Windows for their business plans, now fare? What will they do to fight back to safeguard their companies' futures.

Perhaps form a consortium to develop their own OS?

Or am I being overly dramatic here?