It was politically the best move for Microsoft. As Jobs states, Apple + Microsoft = 100% market share for desktops. If Apple were to go, as start ups enter, Mic

It was politically the best move for Microsoft. As Jobs states, Apple + Microsoft = 100% market share for desktops. If Apple were to go, as start ups enter, Microsoft's shear size would be an easy target for monopolistic practices. Propping up Apple enables Apple to potentially share that burden, all the while having a very public act to ward off the litigious.