« The iPhone market redux. | Main | Facebook and AJAX. »

Monopoly money.

If every person that bought a new car was forced to buy Michelin tires - with no choice in the matter - then Michelin's quarterly numbers would look pretty good. The same thing would happen for Duracell if every new new battery-powered device came exclusively with their batteries.

So why are folks like Mathew Ingram surprised that Microsoft had a good quarter with 88 million copies of Vista sold? I went to look at new PCs recently until I realized that I would have no choice but to get Windows Vista on that PC. There wasn't the slightest concern for my needs - it was Vista or nothing.

And those computers came with a particular version of Vista. If I wanted more functionality then I could pay more to upgrade or to buy a whole new copy. Then I'm faced with having to getting update drivers (if they even exist) for my other equipment. And having features turned off if I do something Microsoft doesn't like with MY computer.Perhaps that is why they've been forced to provide a downgrade path back to XP, but only if you paid for a "better" version.

Microsoft simply used its monopoly power to force retailers to buy 88 million copies of their product. And then they raked in the money.

If I was Microsoft, I'd be concerned about the fact that Mac shipments have grown 34% year over year.Because that means that something is driving people to change platforms completely. I switched two years ago, and I can't imagine ever going back.

Technorati:

Powered by Bleezer

Posted by larry at October 28, 2007 02:28 PM | TrackBack

Comments

The news reported Microsoft is making a large profit on Vista, and it is doing great. The reason for this is they are holding the consumers down and forcing it down our throat. . They are saying you will like it, not that you might like it .
Dell is the only manufacture still selling XP (business) on its systems. Vista for most of us is just another ME version of Windows . Hardware doesn’t work with it , software doesn’t work with it. We the consumers are buying it because we have no choice not because we like it. I purchased a New HP laptop and it forced me to agree to using Vista and would not go any further until I agreed to the terms of HP and Microsoft that’s not fair I should have had a choice to not agree with the terms of the agreement , How do you spell CLASS ACTION ……. Maybe that will get them to either fix it or give you the option not to put vista on your machine . I encourage all the consumers to go and buy the machine then take it back if your hardware or software does not work . why should you have to go and buy a new Laser printer because Microsoft is forcing the manufactures to put Vista on machines , if they get enough machines back you will see a downgrade option for all users not just the Vista Business users .Every time you return a machine the manufacture has to sell it as refurbished and takes a hit on it. As a consumer this is the way you can speak out and say no to Vista.

Posted by: jim webb on October 28, 2007 03:37 PM

The news reported Microsoft is making a large profit on Vista, and it is doing great. The reason for this is they are holding the consumers down and forcing it down our throat. . They are saying you will like it, not that you might like it .
Dell is the only manufacture still selling XP (business) on its systems. Vista for most of us is just another ME version of Windows . Hardware doesn’t work with it , software doesn’t work with it. We the consumers are buying it because we have no choice not because we like it. I purchased a New HP laptop and it forced me to agree to using Vista and would not go any further until I agreed to the terms of HP and Microsoft that’s not fair I should have had a choice to not agree with the terms of the agreement , How do you spell CLASS ACTION ……. Maybe that will get them to either fix it or give you the option not to put vista on your machine . I encourage all the consumers to go and buy the machine then take it back if your hardware or software does not work . why should you have to go and buy a new Laser printer because Microsoft is forcing the manufactures to put Vista on machines , if they get enough machines back you will see a downgrade option for all users not just the Vista Business users .Every time you return a machine the manufacture has to sell it as refurbished and takes a hit on it. As a consumer this is the way you can speak out and say no to Vista.

Posted by: jim webb on October 28, 2007 05:46 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?






Search


Blogmap

Blogroll

Filangy WebMarks