"Clearly, when you rely on Microsoft for operating systems and software, you wouldn't want them to be a hardware competitor on your own platforms. ... So I think it will have some negative repercussions from a relationship standpoint."
"I think that Microsoft doesn't obviously have a tremendous hardware footprint, so I think they want to chase some of that profit pool as well as control some of the hardware dynamics of the business model. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't," Marshall said.
To help appease hardware makers using the Windows 8 operating system, Microsoft may try to strike a deal regarding price or timing regarding release of the new tablet.
Whether the company negotiates with other hardware makers using its software, Microsoft is still seeking to steal some of other tablet makers' market share.
"I think that Microsoft doesn't obviously have a tremendous hardware footprint, so I think they want to chase some of that profit pool as well as control some of the hardware dynamics of the business model," Marshall said. "Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't."
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