Digitimes claims that they are concerned that the move will dramatically increase their costs and affect market demand. They initially were not concerned because they believed that the strategy would apply on Intel's Kaby Lake processors. However Chipzilla has recently expanded the coverage to its entry-level Apollo Lake processors, which are set to launch at the end of June.

This causes a headache as most existing IPC solutions using entry-level processors to pair with Windows 7, Intel and Microsoft forcing downstream partners to upgrade to Windows 10.

Intel and Microsoft have been pushing their new platforms. Intel's 14nm Kaby Lake processors, which are set to launch at the end of October, will only support Windows 10. If IPC players' machines using Skylake plus Windows 7/8.1 devices ,are not upgraded to Windows 10 then Intel will not allow them to continue receiving support.

Responding to Wintel's strategy, most IPC players are planning to extend their old system's lifecycle and will observe the situation before making further adjustments.

It is an interesting concept. Both Intel and Windows are forcing OEMs to upgrade to the current generation and making sure that there is no repeat of the Windows XP fiasco.