[Am-info] Naked PCs from Wal-Mart

[Geoffrey]

Did you catch my post regarding the same issue, except I did find to 
identical machines (except one comes with a monitor and windows)?

Mitch Stone wrote:
> 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
> 
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-- 
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric@3times25.net

I didn't have to buy my radio from a specific company to listen
to FM, why doesn't that apply to the Internet (anymore...)?