I have a theory about humans having a generally short memory for corporate malfeasance, or to put it in a better light, having a much more forgiving nature than I do.
I also tend to get down-voted whenever I talk about nasty stuff Apple has done.
And, occasionally, when I do get a reply rather than or in addition to a downvote it will be of the form: "Well, X also does what you accused Y of." i.e., complaints about the monopolistic practices of Microsoft will result in, "Well, Google is also a monopoly, and I think they're worse because of this other thing." Which, while often true statements, do not provide any reason to dismiss the assertions about Microsoft they are responding to.
I am occasionally disappointed in HN. But, that's OK, because HN is occasionally disappointed in me.
Consider the HN audience and the disproportionate percentage of megacorps employees in it. Actionable community consensus that is being critical of Microsoft/Apple/Google is now nearly non-existent on HN.
Microsoft was strongarming the manufacturers - in 2009, they could still do that easily (and they might still be able to today). The carrot and stick was reduced Windows licensing - but only if you make netbooks unusable. And thus netbooks died. I hope that Nadella's Microsoft is not like that - it looks way better than the Ballmer days - but having been bitten multiple times, I'll wait until I trust Microsoft again.
[0] http://www.pcworld.com/article/169919/5_netbooks_microsoft_h...