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Windows OS is now the cost or more than a cheap system... that is the truth. $150-$200 for an OS is insane when an entire machine can be build from retail parts for the same price.

I am not reporting windows demise, but as Linux gets more exposer and robust user interfaces and software support, MS is going to have to start adjusting the pricing, or concede the low end. I know they don't want to do it, but that's reality.

Right now Dell/Gateway etc keep their low end machines at around $500-$600 and can only do that by perpetually upgrading what is their low end device. As sales continue to stagnate because of saturation and slower economy the "upgrade" to keep pricepoint model will begin to falter. When that happens, and if things stay the way they are which I expect them to for a good while yet, the price point of the Dell/Compaq/Gateway low end will go below that $500 mark, and when that happens it will put even further pressure on the cost of the OS.

Windows OS is now the cost or more than a cheap system... that is the truth. $150-$200 for an OS is insane when an entire machine can be build from retail parts for the same price.

Lay off the crack. Nobody pays retail prices for Windows (Windows XP Academic Edition)