In addition to the fact that they rule the largest market in the world of data-processing, Intel and Microsoft share the practice of deciding the final specifications of the machines that will use their material or their OS.
According to Digitimes, the two giants have already decided the specifications ready for the release of Windows 7. Only mini equipped portables with screens of a maximum size of 10,2" will be entitled to the cheap base version of Windows 7. Beyond that, they will have to use a more advanced and more expensive version. It is the same with the Intel processors, the exact version that can be used is according to the size of the screen, as with Windows XP that can be installed only on certain machines that has a given specifications of power, with a well sized hard disc and memory.
This kind of behavior is typical situations of quasi monopoly. Not having to fear true competition, the companies can segment the market in their own way to extract the maximum of added-value to their products.
