Re: Another: can't *not* buy Win95 on Dell or Gateway

[Linux Idiot <esoteric@atlnet.com>]

James Love wrote:
> 
> This is another "can't not buy Win 95" when buy a computer from Dell or Gateway.
>    jamie

This is a whole new issue to the prepackaged OS problem.  Here's MS
making money off a customer where they shouldn't.  Talk about double
dipping.  The solution is to go to a computer provider who will not
force the OS issue, generally a local company.  In my experience, they
are much more supportive than the big guys anyway.

> 
> ---------------
> Subject: Microsoft Windows Puzzler
>    Date: Sun, 3 May 1998 08:51:18 -0400
>    From: "Sharp, Larry D." <ldsharp@mwbb.com>
>      To: "'at-members@abanet.org'" <at-members@abanet.org>
> 
> I'd like some insights on how market forces produce the following
> situation.
> 
> I am in the market for a computer. I upgraded my old 486 to run Windows
> 95, and bought Windows 95 for it, but the old machine is dying. I need a
> replacement. The old machine will be taken out of service.
> 
> I have decided I would like a Dell or a Gateway. When I price them
> online, I find I can upgrade, downgrade, or eliminate various components
> to match my needs. I can even decide to take no monitor at all, and try
> to stretch a little more life out of the one I have now.
> 
> One thing I know I don't need is another CD with Windows 95 on it. But
> when I try to eliminate that, I find that I can't. To buy one of those
> computers, I must buy a copy of Windows 95 that I do not need.
> 
> Why are these manufacturers willing to let me customize or even
> eliminate other parts of the packages they sell, but not willing to let
> me take a pass on the Windows 95? If they are paying $40 for each copy
> they throw into a box with a computer (am I wrong when I recall that
> Microsoft has given up per-processor fees?),
> why do they not let me save a bit, and them make a bit, by offering me a
> less-than-$40 deduction for excluding Windows 95 from my purchase
> package?
> 
> --
> James Love
> Consumer Project on Technology
> P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036
> love@cptech.org | http://www.cptech.org
> voice 202.387.8030, fax 202.234.5176

-- 
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric@atlnet.com

NT is secure.... as long as you don't remove the shrink wrap.
Want to speed up your NT box real cheap?  Replace NT with Linux...