> Also known as 'lock-in'

It does increase lock-in of course. I would argue that so many companies are already heavily invested in M$ that this is unlikely to affect relative lock-in hugely.

To put it another way, if I'm already in prison and someone buys me a comfy chair, I'm likely to appreciate it.

By that analogy, if you're already in prison then you should be plotting an escape path, not get chummy with the guards.

Interestingly this "lock-in" argument is often used with respect to Microsoft, but not with respect to Apple...

Be fair. I've seen the lock-in argument used all the time here in regards to Apple stuff, particularly in discussions of iOS, macOS, and the App store.

Perhaps it's my surrounding and thus not representative, but when talking about Apple they talk about "integration", while when talking about Microsoft, the word "lock-in" is used - for quite similar things.

by that logic.. if people need oxygen for breathing.. you would consider that a lock-in..

That analogy only works if I was paying for my oxygen. Currently I am not.