Like parents trying not to worry the kids, though, an Intel spokesperson denied there was anything amiss: "The Intel and Microsoft relationship remains strong. As more devices and machines go online, it makes sense for Microsoft to expand its offerings, just as Intel has with MeeGo, our Atom chips and work with Google on Chrome optimization and other areas."

The once mighty Wintel cartel has been good in many ways for the PC industry. Like industrious worker bees on amphetamines, Intel's engineers pushed Moore's law to the max, cranking out generation after generation of processors, each smaller and more powerful than the last. Microsoft obliged by churning out new operating systems, each more bloated and resource intensive than the last. We were all forced into a three-year refresh cycle just to keep our productivity from turning to sludge. Though frustrating for users, that kept hardware demand high and the industry humming.

But it's a brave new mobile world out there now, and both Microsoft and Intel have had a hard time adjusting to it. Nobody wants a resource-hogging, app-pathetic operating system on their sleek touchy new devices. That's why -- if rumors hold true -- HP will introduce a Palm OS-based tablet later this month, a little more than a year after Ballmer demonstrated a Windows-powered HP slate at, yes, CES. (Oh, snap!)

They also want small, intensely powerful chips that don't suck down huge amounts of battery life. I have no doubt Intel will get there, eventually, but so far it's allowed itself to be lapped by more nimble competitors.

The Wintel era appears to be history, even if neither party will openly admit it. Frankly, it will be better for Microsoft and Intel, who are both in desperate need of serious competition. But it's especially good news for the rest of us.