Say No to Pre-Loaded Windows

kltpzyxm

Greensprout wrote: »

maybe he already owns a copy of XP, in that case why would he want to buy another copy of it..

Because each PC needs it's own license???

wolfman

kltpzyxm wrote: »

Hi wolfman,
Ive never personally used BSD, but now I'll be having look at it next week...

Well worth it. Takes a bit more getting used to, but its got great performance, security, file system support and generally very stable as any changes go through a very strict submission/testing process. FreeBSD is very nice.

Greensprout

kltpzyxm wrote: »

Because each PC needs it's own license???

Even if the old machine is no longer in use or using the same licence?

Didn't know that..

superscaper

Greensprout wrote: »

Even if the old machine is no longer in use or using the same licence?

Didn't know that..

It's certainly true if it's an OEM copy of windows.

Robin_T_Cox

Numerous industry observers have long-called for the adoption of policies by competition regulators which will spur competition in the personal computer operating system platform market - a market which has had a Microsoft choke-hold, gained through legally dubious business practices, over the past 20 years.
Now aligned with this group is an influential free-market think-tank, which has called on the European Union (EU) to make good on its promise to foster greater competition in personal computer platforms, in the aftermath of the recent court ruling which yet again found Microsoft abusing its monopoly power to diminish market forces. The think-tank, the Globalisation Institute, has called upon the EU to demand that PC vendors stop the practice of automatically bundling Microsoft operating systems with personal computers.
In doing so, the Globalisation Institute draws a distinction between open, free markets, which exist for computer hardware and demonstrate phenomenal innovation and price performance, and laissez-faire markets, dominated by the corporate equivalent of Somali warlords – specifically, operating system platforms.
In response, others have replied with reasons they believe would prevent such an approach from succeeding.
The following are the key arguments they introduce against the unbundling of Microsoft Windows from consumer PCs, along with an explanation as to why these arguments from the 'unbundling sceptics' are invalid.

http://www.cybersource.com.au/users/conz/why_the_unbundling_windows_sceptics_are_wrong.html

elpaw

I have an retail version of Vista Ultimate, so I think it's a bit of a waste to buy a preinstalled vista home premium etc just to overwrite it with ultimate.

How likely am I to get money back if I decline the EULA when I first run a laptop preinstalled vista? Which manufacturer should I go with? I'm thinking of getting a HP Laptop (6715b)

Bamber19

elpaw wrote: »

How likely am I to get money back if I decline the EULA when I first run a laptop preinstalled vista? Which manufacturer should I go with? I'm thinking of getting a HP Laptop (6715b)

I'm pretty sure you used to be able to get a refund from Microsoft for operating systems you had no intention of using, not sure if it's still the case.

and with regards commentary on the original topic, cosy agreements? why make it sound so sinister it's just a contract... was it a "cosy agreement" between the meat co. and a plastic packaging company that meant the bacon i bought the other day could only come in a plastic package, no, it was a simple contract but wait...Microsoft are involved, let's make them sound evil and sinister, we hate them, how dare they have success!

turbobob

I wonder if anyone will try suing Apple for bundling Mac OS with a Mac... Its a silly ruling IMO.

It reminds me of the case of the EU vs. Microsoft for "bundling" Media Player with Windows. MS lost and they had to offer a special version of Windows XP without Media Player (XP Version N). Apparently only 1500 copies of this software have been shifted - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP#Windows_XP_Edition_N
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/legal/european/04-24-06windowsxpnsalesfs.mspx

marms

elpaw wrote: »

I have an retail version of Vista Ultimate, so I think it's a bit of a waste to buy a preinstalled vista home premium etc just to overwrite it with ultimate.

How likely am I to get money back if I decline the EULA when I first run a laptop preinstalled vista? Which manufacturer should I go with? I'm thinking of getting a HP Laptop (6715b)

windows vista on an hp laptop will add about £60 to the price, vista ultimate retail costs almost £400, did you pay or are you thinking of installing pirAte version?

sco0ter

marms wrote: »

windows vista on an hp laptop will add about £60 to the price, vista ultimate retail costs almost £400, did you pay or are you thinking of installing pirAte version?

You should shop around if you think thats how expensive it is..

£104.58 Vista Ultimate OEM including the needed media


http://www.pyramid.com/Product.aspx?StockCode=835522&ref_StockCode=835522&ref_Type=CPC&ref_Source=Kelkoo3

Even PCWORLD do an upgrade for £199 or full retail for £329.99