I think the answer to Microsoft lies in some corporation putting open source software on a chip set, like Apple, and selling the hardware, not the software.
The way this can be “sold” as an idea to the open source community is to create an open source and proprietary blend in hardware in software.
In other words, in exchange for buying the hardware from any one of a number of manufacturers, users not only get a more advanced operating system, but are also able to modify other chip functions as well.
This is all designed to lead to bringing open source modifications into the hardware as well as the software. Users can create and swap hardware modifications, by buying blank chips and either having the chip programming done by the manufacturer of the chip, or doing it themselves.
They can even open source modify the motherboards to their specs, if enough of them want the mod and are willing to pay the price for a limited run.
Instead of the standard PC used today, computer hardware would again be wide open to innovation.
I have often wondered why HP doesn’t hire some code monkeys to create a nice Windows Manager and strap it onto HP-UX. Then marry that to a strictly controlled hardware spec. It would likely put them in the spot of only competing with Apple in that 5-8% market share, but Apple has shown that can be very profitable. I think controlling the software and hardware is a good way to profitability. No more being bullied by MS, which can affect your hardware sales.