Microsoft needs vibrancy. Corporate infrastructure stultifies vibrancy. My idea would be to take a leaf from Richard Branson's Virgin model and decentralize everything. Break up all the businesses into units not bigger than 60 people (see the book "Losing my Virginity") and let them fly. Find partners for each strategic unit. Treat MS top management as a VC that kills and rewards project. Break up Vista into API based components and make them compete with outsiders.

Steve Ballmer is an intelligent guy, but he's not an engineer. He has to find a business model that allows internal competition and self regulation.

Allowing some units to be listed in their own right may also be a good move allowing enthusiasm for a booming new technology or a stellar team to shine unencumbered by the rest of the MS monolith.

Maybe if I do a whitepaper you could do the mod to your own laptop while I wait for HP or Lenovo to get it on their machines... would that be of help to you?
R

Maybe I should do a whitepaper for everyone... there is stuff that is going to the manufacturer but the idea should be able to be jerry rigged for most laptops... what do you think? Should I do that?
R

Hi, FYI the prototype for this is an old Dell that looks really crappy so I used my late HP but did want to ruin the casing on it... as you will see its not proof of work just illustrative... but the elctronics work as advertised...
Ric (the inventor)

Two batteries sounds great in theory but its double the weight all the time and the case area is used up.. with this approach the second battery only need to be made available when needed.. its a lot simpler... BTW a patent search by a reputable firm shows that this is indeed a new idea and has not been done before...