Microsoft Tries To Limit Machines That Can Use Low Cost OS
from the can't-let-anyone-use-a-cheap-product dept
Kevin Stapp writes in to alert us to the fact that in Microsoft's attempt to compete against Linux on various low-end PCs, it's offering a cheap version of its operating system -- but rather than simply offering it up for different computer makers to use, it's got specific rules limiting the type of computers it can be used on -- basically guaranteeing that their operating systems remain off of many low end machines that don't qualify under the extremely limited specs (no touch screens, no hard drives over 80 gigs, etc.). This is pointless for a variety of reasons, but the simplest one is this: any time you try to limit the use of your software to platforms that are less useful and less powerful than what's available, you're basically telling everyone who wants quality to go with a different provider. It's hard to see why Microsoft would want to make that kind of argument -- unless they don't realize that they're actually competing in this space. Given how little competition Microsoft has had to deal with in the OS market for years, perhaps it's natural that they don't know how to compete when it's finally necessary.![Hide This Hide this](https://ii.techdirt.com/s/t/i/topclose.png)
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Filed Under: cheap pcs, low cost, low power, operating systems
Companies: microsoft
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DOS
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New OS!
Portholes?
J/P=?
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Re: DOS
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Profit margins...
Whether this is a good idea or not is a question beyond my knowledge... but I can see why it might be a bad idea to offer a low-cost version of Windows with the current popularity (or lack there of) of their flagship product. Even worse if it claims to have less overhead than their current flagship (considering this is a common complaint regarding Vista).
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It's called "XP"
Which is sort of like admitting that XP is still a perfectly useful OS with a comparatively small footprint, and there's really no good reason for moving to Vista other than because Microsoft is forcing that move.
I wonder how this is going to work out for them.
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Re: DOS
I'd already heard this story and besides the linked article mentions it.
On another note, this could be a very good thing for Linux. Buy the Windows edition with a plain screen or get the Linux version with a touchscreen for example. The $22 - $32 saved from the windows license probably won't cover the cost of the touchscreen functionality - but having the edition with Linux on it being both better (in terms of hardware) and more expensive that the windows one could help to create the impression of Linux as the premium option.
Currently with high powered laptops mostly running windows and Linux only on lower cost, low powered models it creates the false impression that Linux is somehow sub-par.
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dumping
It looks like Microsoft has elected to come to the anti-trust people's attention again, because MS Windows XP is not cheaper than Linux on any of the usual markets. Their funeral.
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Why buy the heavily limit Microsoft OS, when you can get a full fat unlimited Linux OS.
As a side note i use XP and will continue to use it, Vista is too big and power hungry for me to make use of it, not to mention many compatibility issues with some of the software i run on XP.
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Once businesses get hold of it...
Another point is that Microsoft is only offering XP Home on these budget ultralights, not XP Pro.
So what happens when the popularity of these machines spreads to business users? I think HP is already expecting that to happen with its 2133 MiniNote. What further capitulation will Microsoft be forced into then?
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End in sight
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May not be as dumb as it sounds
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Re: DOS
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Re: End in sight
1) They throw you in prison.
2) They shoot you in the head.
3) ???
4) Profit!
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MS's funeral
If I didn't have a Mac, I'd build my own system and install Linux. Done deal.
F*** MS and the horse they rode in on.
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Falling giant
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Re: DOS
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MmmmmK
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Re: Falling giant
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granted some1 who has been using nothing by there OS since they discovered computers (which probably covers over 80% of the world population) will have difficulty switching systems but between there "great" vista and there other not so smart decisions, that should start changing in the future.
I for one will probably change once i can no longer get XP through legal means.
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Re: Falling giant
For 3D modelling and animation there's Blender. For graphics there's The GIMP, Krita and Inkscape.
All of which will run on the little boxes that MS is trying to restrict.
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Call it Bob
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Amazing!
For Win fans:
- You don't need to be afraid about M$ supremacy, on the next years. Just remains buying all the fantastic new X2, X4, X100 processors, lots of 4Gb, 8Gb 200GB of memory(BTW, your vista only manage 2GB), Peta bytes of disk... Win/Intel, Kingston, Seagate/Maxtor appreciate that!!!
And, your world will be safe and running.
For the Linux/BeOs, etc fans - let's continue to use that crap machines with so weak processors, memory, etc...
well, and we'll keep doing the same...
sorry about that Intel and gang! :))
Heheheheheh!
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Re: It's called "XP"
no one remembers how bad XP was prior to SP1?
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Re: Call it Bob
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This iks what they do...
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WinCE
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Re: Re: Falling giant
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