In the final analysis, if you don't like windows or how it operates.... don't buy it.
-hpearce
It is amazing how many problems would be solved if people followed this philosophy.
-Josh
I've been saying as much all along, but this is a VERY different beast we're now talking about.
This is hardware.
"So what? Apple's done that for years", you might say.
This is diffferent.
Apple has their own stuff, and a niche market.
This is Microsoft.
That means everything else.
Do you not get it yet?
EVERYTHING ELSE.
Please understand this, I don't want to get angry.
.. yet.
-Edvard
Um, yeah, except Apple isn't a niche market anymore. Besides, with all the holes Microsoft always bakes in, I see this as a potentially good thing. Why? Because Apple has relied on the very same UEFI to lock software to hardware and viseversa. If people break it for Microsoft, and they will...eventually, don't you think it would be a pretty good bet the same or very similar hack will break OSX and the Apple monopoly. I am not completely certain that isn't a side goal of Microsoft.
Now, with all that said, I really only see this as another step of Microsoft out of ideas and "me too"ing Apple. It works for Apple, and they have no ideas, so let's do it too and lock everyone in again. The thing is, lock-in is how Microsoft beat all the competition in the late 80's...namely they didn't when everyone else did. Therefore while it will suck for a while, either they will use it to break competition again, or someone else will. Yes, it will take time, but it will happen.
I can tell you one thing, if they keep following Apple like they have been, my next machine will BE an Apple with VMware installing all other OS's (unless I can find a reliable way to virtualize OSX and it's ancestors). Microsoft doesn't have the balls to lock Windows out of a virtual environment. It will alienate way too many IT shops.