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On 21/04/2011 08:24, Simon Osborne wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:BANLkTikHvtrK-C4iCAOJEf4iECHmLdV3RA@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Since computers with
Windows installed are <b>subsidised </b>by Microsoft they are cheaper to buy
than the same machine with Ubuntu or no OS installed. So to me it's
perfectly logical to take advantage of Microsoft and buy the cheaper
hardware and replace the OS with Linux.
</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
Since when did MS pay distributors to provide Windows? How do they
make their money by doing so?<br>
The price of any machine with Windows must include something to
cover the cost of the Windows license.<br>
Machines without Windows are cheaper because the producers still pay
MS a fee even though the machine does not have Windows (at least
that appears to be the case for most producers.)<br>
The producers then add the cost of installing any other OS, or they
simply want discourage people from asking for Linux because they see
potential support costs increasing. I don't know exactly why they do
it, I do know it's not because MS subsidizes the machines that
Windows machines are cheaper<br>
<br>
Regards<br>
David.<br>
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