> Huh? Locking a machine to Windows is the manufacturer's choice, not Microsoft's. Microsoft used to tax OEMs on all pcs with x86 sold as having windows pre-in

> Huh? Locking a machine to Windows is the manufacturer's choice, not Microsoft's. Microsoft used to tax OEMs on all pcs with x86 sold as having windows pre-installed on them (otherwise OEMs wouldn't be allowed to sell windows at all). This got them into anti-trust issues. By the same mechanism they could have asked OEMs to lock machines to windows. Anti-trust lawsuit could have lead to Microsoft being broken up into separate companies. It would be funny if Microsoft avoided that only for Apple to be broken down into separate companies. (one for app store, one for iphone, etc) > A better comparison is if MS banned installing apps not distributed by MS. If they did this what would be the consequences?, are potential anti-trust lawsuits going to appear again? Also see what happened with bundling internet explorer in europe.