Quote:
Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan
Microsoft mastered the art of insane business models... like charging a Windows license fee for every computer sold by a manufacturer whether or not Windows was actually installed on it.
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Actually, that wasn't MS's idea to start with.
Originally, MS charged on a sliding scale based on the number of actual units shipped. But that meant the manufacturers had to document which systems shipped with MS-Dos, which shipped with Xenix, which with Windows, or something else. Individually. By serial number.
So *they* suggested to MS they pay for DOS (later Windows) for every system shipped in return for a discount. With DOS running on 90%+ of shipped units the savings from simplifying the licensing and the discount meant both sides came out ahead.
Likewise, it was Compaq that first requested and negotiated a combined DOS+WINDOWS license at a reduced combo rate and it was Gateway and DELL that started bundling Office with WINDOWS.
People like to talk of a Microsoft tax on PCs but in any given year, MS has never taken in more than 4% of all the money made off the Windows platform: the rest goes to Intel, AMD, HP, Acer, Adobe, etc. It is simply a MASSIVE business and 4% is a light enough take there is little incentive for change.
If MS had ever pressed for 30% we would all be running OS/2 on our PCs.
