For years, OEM partners like HP, ASUS, and Dell, provided the hardware.

FORBES: Microsoft Announces Surface, Its New Windows 8 Tablet

This will become a sensitive issue since HP will immediately become a competitor to its OEM partner in Microsoft - but so what.

FORBES: Why HP Should Fire Meg Whitman And Hire Scott Forstall

Microsoft was warned of how its homegrown tablet might impact OEM relationships, and even acknowledged the challenge itself, but HP doesn't see it the same way.

ENGADGET: HP's Todd Bradley isn't impressed by Surface, doesn't see it as competition

Sure, that's a drop in the bucket for Dell, Sony, HP and the like, but what about the smaller OEM's?

ENGADGET: CableCARD or Credit Card for Vista? HD