If the Surface is like the Xbox, Microsoft has a problem. The Xbox did cost billions and took years until it made a profit. When the Surface costs billions for years and at the same time Microsoft pisses off the hardware producers they will focus on Ubuntu/Android/ChromeOS devices. This would hurt the big cash cow Windows licenses and make Microsoft weaker than ever.
Xbox did lose Microsoft billion(s) and take years to become profitable. But now it is profitable and one of their key products. They could lose billions on the Surface but they can also afford to lose billions. They have lost billions on terrible acquisitions in the last decade. I think it is better to spend the money on products that could help them be competitive.
The Xbox 360 also had significant hardware problems that weren't alleviated until price did not become an issue for MS which is how it's always been on consoles.
Linux/Android/Chromium are not economically viable alternatives to Windows for hardware manufacturers on a large enough scale.
On the consumer side it's "Not only is it not a Mac, it doesn't even come with Windows."
On the commercial side it's, "Can it run Excel" - some things never change and Visicalc is still the killer application, so to speak.
It is, in my opinion, a mistake to expect corporations to operate on the principles which drive persons. So long as Windows remains a profitable operating system for Acer, Acer will continue to install it. And that will continue to be the case unless Best Buy starts hiring Linux gurus for its sales floor.
