graeme_p - 9:44 am on Feb 28, 2009 (gmt 0)

The timing is right, but I do not see that this strategy is as good a fit for MS as for Apple. Apple sell their own hardware in the shops. MS's range of hardware is much smaller and does not generate that much of their revenues.

It also means that they will be competing with their exiting sales channels, who are not going to be happy about it. OTOH, if they get a reasonable share of the market, it might give them more leverage over PC manufacturers.