The thing is, MSFT really does need to attack the OEMs-get them to up their game, and (naively, perhaps?) to drastically reduce the number of products they offer.
MS tried controlling OEMs in the 90s and was shot down by the DOJ. I'm not sure if you want a strong MS again, even though its obvious now that the ruling was over-reaching.
Its only now that a lot of those provisions have expired that it can start being slightly tougher with OEMs - making its own products, making its own anti-virus, selling non-crapified computers in its own stores, etc. MS's hands will always be tied from this questionable ruling and the threat of another similar ruling in the future. The rise of mobile is probably also helping as MS can easier claim its not the sole monopoly in computing.
I agree. A couple of the problems it would address is hardware quality and what consumers should expect from a new windows machine. Microsoft can establish a good baseline or a high end halo product like what they've done with their expanded surface line.
I agree, too. Unfortunately, high quality construction costs money, and most people buy on price. That's why those crappy vendors have more than 90% of the market.
Asus is trying a couple of machined-aluminium Windows Transformer Books with Chi branding. They are very well made. Heard of them? Think they're outselling plastic $199 HP Streams?
