Microsoft has responded to our request for comment after a "free-market" EU thinktank, the Globalisation Institute, recommended that all PCs in Europe should be sold without a preinstalled operating system (see the story here and our leader commentary here).
"You can buy a PC with no OS, with Windows or with Linux, or indeed a Mac with the Mac OS so all such options are available and consumers make the choice already," said a spokesperson, before dropping in a comment that never fails to set off alarm bells for any hack: "I am not sure what the angle here is for you."
Move along! Nothing to see here! Keep your eyes on the road! A sure sign, if I've ever seen one, that Microsoft is very keen for this suggestion to never darken its door again. Of course, as our own investigations showed earlier this year, it is nigh on impossible to buy a new PC without shelling out the so-called "Windows tax".
That, I would posit, is our angle.
We also got a response from Commissioner Kroes' office, which stated that the EC is "aware of" the Institute's proposals, but has "no comment at this time on whether such an initiative would be required by the competition rules". Watch this space...
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Bundling is OK. What needs to be declated illegal is Windows being sold tied to a particular computer. Every computer with Windows preinstalled should come with install disks. If you have bought Windows OEM or otherwise, you should be able to re-install it on a new computer, as a vitrual machine on the same or a new computer, provided you only use it on one machine at a time. Windows product deactivation and the requirement to re-register should be banned unless Windows is installed on more than one machine at the same time.
Why should you be forced to buy another copy of Windows when you upgrade your hardware? That is just bonkers!
I think this EU action is long overdue.
If they force the naked PC will they apply the same to Macs? Especially since they can now run windows since they moved over to Intel. Shouldn't you be able to buy a naked mac and choose to install Vista instead of OSX?
Having worked in tech support in the past I'd hate to be supporting a company that sold naked PCs to the average consumer - the amount of hassle from customers not able to or botching an OS install would be a nightmare. For the average user a pre-installed OS is a good thing. For those with a bit more know-how they should be smart enough to shop around and buy a naked PC or one with the OS they want already installed.
I never buy a pre-built PC anyway, I build my own to my own spec that way I get what I want and at a lower price. The only time I don't have that option is when buying a laptop and then I still have a choice depending on the model.
I see the problem is that most consumers, especially in the home market, do not realize they have other options. To complicate that, they have probably never used anything besides Microsoft OS going back to DOS 1.25.
In CA State Govt. we are required to purchase from a specific vendor and contract that the movie guy in charge had setup. In most cases, again, MS is the only option even though not necessarily the best solution or cost effective solution.
Apples and Gourds...
Apple builds (and has designed all along) BOTH the hardware and the software, so there is no conflict of interest (unlike the case with Microsquash) and no reason to force product separation.
The main problem is completely price based. The only way to really fix it is to force MS to sell their software at one price for everybody. It may not be capitalism, but it's fair.
For OEMs like Dell who ship directly to the customer, the customer can choose to have the OS pre-installedand get the full MS install DVD and an OEM driver disc, or get the PC cheaper without one.
All retail stores always get bare PCs and can install and configure the MS OS in-house for the customer for a nominal fee.
Everybody (but Microsquash) wins.
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For anyone smart enough to be able to build their own PCs then, yes, there is a choice. However try buying a brand name notebook without Windows - nigh on impossible. The argument is that most customers want Windows anyway so it's cheaper to just have it preinstalled.
Incidentally, HPs now come without disks and without the OS installed but you still have to pay the MS tax. There's a sticker on the back and the OS is installed on startup from a script in a hidden disk partition. Why not just remove the sticker and then there's no license?
The answer is that MS has strongarmed the manufacturers to installing on EVERY shipment and that is the behaviour that should be outlawed
Oh, and let me reuse a license from a dead PC too.