Re: Re: It's not that hard to figure out!
I think Microsoft's problem, if they care at all, is that they've come late to the party. The whole sector took off with Linux based devices, presumably because bundling a custom Linux costs very little (i.e., just whatever adapting the Linux costs, then nothing per unit). I would imagine that they've decided to offer XP for very small amounts of cash to try to get into the market. People like ASUS know that at least some potential customers are put off by Linux, so they decide to bundle Windows. In order to keep Microsoft interested, they need the Windows machine to sell well, so they find ways to make it cheaper.
That's a completley unsubstantiated suggestion, but it would involve no illegal market distorting activities on any side and simultaneously explain why manufacturers were 'allowed' to come to market with non-Windows machines but now seem to be acting in some ways as proxies for Microsoft.