Selling PCs without operating systems will make you go blind!
 

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39261437,00.htm

Well ok not really, but Microsoft doesn't like it at all.
I just love the quote: "We want to urge all system builders — indeed, all Partners — not to supply naked PCs. It is a risk to your customers and a risk to your business".

Now please, enlighten me. Just HOW would it be a risk for their business? Microsoft never ceases to amaze me...

A risk to Microsofts monopoly is the only risk I can think of.

It's no secret - from the article, the Microsoft guy states that it's a threat to business "with specifically 5 percent fewer opportunities to market software and services."

The vendor gets a slice of the Microsoft action every time it sells a machine with pre-installed MS Software - of course MS are going to be keen to plug the naked machine gap - it's simply a matter of filling a hole in the market.

The risk is not making the Microsoft kick-back on that 5% - simple. It's just normal business practice.