Comments on: Proof of the Obvious: Microsoft Discounts Windows for UMPCs

By: InTheLoop

InTheLoop — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:55:22 +0000

Steve Paine - Yes and no. While I recognize there is a difference, I feel that the specifications Microsoft set are really more the specifications for a UMPC than a ULPC.

Russell - Your overall view is reasonable, however I disagree with this:
“Microsoft could turn your argument around and complain that it is unfair for Linux distributions to be free.”
The difference is that Linux is always free, not sometimes free and sometimes not free (assuming you are talking about one distribution.)

By: Alex Chejlyk

Alex Chejlyk — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:11:36 +0000

I think MS should be allowed to charge whatever they want for their products, to better compete with Linux/Apple etc. I don’t see this as unfairl. What I fear is MS is using their dominant market position to force PC mfg’s to follow their rules. If a mfg does not comply, MS may penalize them with higher Windows prices across the board. This has happened in the past, Toshiba and BeOS comes to mind. That is unfair, unethical and downright sleazy!

By: Steve Paine

Steve Paine — Sun, 11 May 2008 10:28:06 +0000

I think you are confusing UMPCs (Ultra moble PCs) with ULCPCs (Ultra Low Cost PCs)

Steve

By: gizmo75

gizmo75 — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:45:45 +0000

Thank you for going behind the obvious

By: Stefan Waidele

Stefan Waidele — Sun, 11 May 2008 07:46:53 +0000

The missing touchscreen was one of Eee’s shortcommings mentioned the most (at least on the blogs I read :).

So that limitation would certainly also harm improvements in that area.

By: Danny

Danny — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:23:20 +0000

That’s okay. I have been discounting Windows for years.

By: Russell

Russell — Sun, 11 May 2008 03:43:16 +0000

I agree that most versions of Linux are superior to Windows. However, as the owner of a product, Microsoft has the moral right to sell Windows it at whatever price they wish. The also have the right to give it away free if they wish. Microsoft could turn your argument around and complain that it is unfair for Linux distributions to be free. The bottom line is that fairness has nothing to do with it. Apparently you don’t understand the concept of property rights.