@AltSysrq said:
But the way this situation would likely not be allowed is because Microsoft would be illegally exploiting their monopoly on personal computer[1] operating systems (assuming it still exists today, in a legal sense) to unfairly harm hardware competitors.And before anyone says he approves of this requirement, put it into perspective: What if Windows included a requirement that you could only use it on PCs manufactured by Microsoft themselves? All in favour, say "aye". *hears crickets chirping*
The difference here is that Apple does not have a monopoly on operating systems, if the "relevant market" includes not just OS X, but also Windows & Linux. Indeed, courts threw out Psystar's claim of monopoly abuse, since the relevant market is not just OS X, but other operating systems too.
[1] by "personal computer" I don't mean IBM PC-compatible things only, but "personal computer" in the broader sense.