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Licensed Users or Licensed Machines? | 99 comments (99 topical) | Post A Comment
Retail[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#54)
by Anonymous User on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 06:04:03 AM PDT

the local computer stores that will build a computer to what you want, including OS version, are retail stores.

If you want to only shop at big box stores look at Micro Center (microcenter.com).  They do have computers listed without Windows OEM version.

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You're right, they now have 1 model with Linspire[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#66)
by ekuns on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 12:38:33 PM PDT

So when I said 100%, I was a fraction of a percent off. My point still stands: Microsoft licensing agreements that the OEMs have discourage the OEMs from selling computers without Windows and discourage the OEMs from giving even a full Windows install CD. This is to Microsoft's advantage, because it means the consumer buys a new version of Windows with each computer.

Microsoft does not WANT consumers to buy the full price full version of Windows, because they will then transfer it to their newer computers. The whole argument of "since it is sold at a discount" is bogus. It's a red herring.

Also notice that the OEM price of Windows has gone up or stayed the same with every release. It has never dropped. Windows is the sole component of a computer whose cost has gone up steadily and continuously over 20 years. Monitors cost less for better resolution. Drives cost less for more space. Memory costs more for more space. Network cards cost less for faster networking speed.



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