[js1138]

This is the reason we don't use OEM pricing when comparing. That's for geeks, not for the unwashed masses who won't be able to get support

People who aren't geeks pay about $40 for Windows and about $8) for XP Pro or Vista Ultimate. From Dell, Gateway, etc.

During the seven years XP has been out, no one has paid anything for updates. And free support will continue for another seven years after MS stops selling it.

[antiRepublicrat]

People who aren't geeks pay about $40 for Windows and about $8) for XP Pro or Vista Ultimate. From Dell, Gateway, etc.

Dell charges $150 to upgrade from Home Basic to Ultimate. The $40-50 is likely the Dell price for Basic.

During the seven years XP has been out, no one has paid anything for updates.

And with the exception of fixing some seriously broke aspects of XP, Microsoft hasn't made XP any better either. That's what paid upgrades are for.