If Larry Ellison can stab HP in the back why can't Ballmer? And not for nothing HP was even talking about killing their PC devision not too long ago and Dell seems to be grasping at other straws. Also if HP and Dell went to Ubuntu I don't see them doing well with corporations that have an investment in Windows.
My gut tells me that this is the first act of a play, and my bet is that we'll see some more back stabbing before it's over. Although my bet is that Dell and HP will be running away from the PC -- or at the very least someone will have to go in that game of musical chairs.
Larry did not have mutual business/sales relationship with HP. That is the biggest flaw with your argument.
Second, Ballmer said it himself that it will not go down like that for PC business. Why do you think they have x86 and ARM?
I will take your bet when it comes to MS launching its own PC. MS will definitely not do that. I have the insider info up on my sleeve albeit a few years old but still recent.
Like I said, tablet or other devices, other than laptop and workstation, will be a different ball games altogther.
Everybody has too much to lose when it comes to workstation and PC.
My gut tells me that this is the first act of a play, and my bet is that we'll see some more back stabbing before it's over. Although my bet is that Dell and HP will be running away from the PC -- or at the very least someone will have to go in that game of musical chairs.