[Am-info] Naked PCs from Wal-Mart

[Mitch Stone]

With a bit of research on the Wal-Mart web site, I confirmed what I'd 
suspected: they are selling systems with and without Windows configured in 
such a way that they can't be directly compared, let alone ordered either 
way at different prices. The closest I could come to similar systems were 
the two below, but note that the Windows bundle includes a slightly faster 
processor. That particular processor, for some reason, simply isn't 
available in a Windows-free system.

The same thing happens with the $499.00 1.4 ghz Athlon no-Windows system, 
but in even more dramatic fashion. That same cpu is available with Windows 
only bundled with a 15 inch flat panel display and more RAM at $979.00.

The $868.74, 2.0 ghz Pentium 4 system isn't available with Windows in any 
configuration. Interesting.

This provides the most direct evidence I've seen to date to suggest that 
Microsoft prohibits OEMs from offering otherwise identical systems with 
and without Windows. The obvious explanation for this is that it would 
reveal what the OEMs pay for Windows, something Microsoft doesn't want 
consumers to know.

Now, here's what I find even more interesting and relevant: This entire 
naked PC offering from Wal-Mart began after Microsoft supposedly started 
voluntarily honoring the terms of the settlement. The results certainly 
call the into question the effectiveness of the "uniform pricing" 
provisions of the proposed settlement.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1731327&cat=86798&type=
1&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A3951%3A41937%3A86796%3A86798

$399.00
Intel Celeron processor 1.0GHz
100MHz frontside Bus
128MB SDRAM Memory
40GB Ultra DMA Hard Drive
CD-ROM Drive
56K Modem
MONITOR - NOT INCLUDED
OPERATING SYSTEM - NOT INCLUDED

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1679168&cat=86797&type=
1&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A3951%3A41937%3A86796%3A86797

$498.00
Intel Celeron 1.1 GHz processor
128 MB memory
40 GB hard drive
CD-ROM drive
56K modem
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
MONITOR NOT INCLUDED

   Mitch Stone
   mitch@accidentalexpert.com