Could Microsoft be trying to extricate itself from the relationships it has with hardware vendors? I read a quote a couple years ago from a Microsoft engineer that said something to the effect of, "Microsoft could make their OS a ton faster on older hardware, but because of relationships with hardware manufacturers like Intel, HP and Dell, they can't."
(I don't recall the source, so I'm relying on the /. collective to remember or set me straight)
If Microsoft is free to make the best OS they possibly can, where does that leave the hardware manufacturers? If the demand for new hardware diminishes because the new OS runs as well or better on your existing hardware, what will happen?
The enthusiast markets will still need to purchase high-end hardware, although we might see an increase in price on the high-end items.
Now, if Microsoft is left to make the best OS they can, there's no guarantee they will. OEM sales are where they make the most of their OS sales (I'm assuming), but if they can market a bigger, better, faster product, I think they'll see a lot more upgrade sales.