Microsoft Drops Bulk License Price for XP to $15
"Microsoft has reportedly dropped the bulk licensing price of its Windows XP operating system for netbooks in a bid to outrun Linux in the netbook race."
Published: 21st April 2009 | Source: Microsoft |
Microsoft Drops Bulk License Price for XP to $15
Microsoft has reportedly dropped the bulk licensing price of its Windows XP operating system for netbooks in a bid to outrun Linux in the netbook race. Citing an unnamed source, the Wall Street Journal reported that the software giant is selling netbook licenses of Windows XP for just $15.
While Microsoft has never revealed its bulk pricing for netbook licenses, if the report is to be believed, a copy of XP home now costs less than one third of a copy of Windows Vista, which is reportedly available between $50 and $60 for bulk purchases.
When ASUS launched its Eee PC in late 2007, Microsoft suffered a major blow as Linux, with its free licensing became the dominant operating system for netbooks. While Windows continued to be in use, it became a premium option due to its high license cost. With the price drop, Microsoft is hoping to change this and once again become the OS of choice for PC and netbook manufacturers.
Another reason that partially explains this change is the upcoming Windows 7 release; Microsoft would be hoping to position its Starter Edition as the foundation for netbooks. While the new OS will be priced higher, it will also be the first to receive upgrades to more expensive editions. However, the company might face certain issues with its Windows 7 Starter Edition, such as the limitation of allowing only three apps to run at the same time. This is one shortcoming that XP or Linux currently does not have.
The increasing popularity of highly portable netbooks and the significant decline reported by Microsoft in Windows revenues can also be considered important factors. But as of now, the price cut for Windows XP is very much real and hopefully should provide some positive headway for Microsoft.
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Not saying its the best but its a good one, supports 802.11n
[IMG]http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/DLink-DWA-547-Draft-N-Wireless-PCI-Adapter[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/DLink-DWA-547-Draft-N-Wireless-PCI-Adapter[/IMG]
OC3D recently reviewed a good one, 20 quid USB and really competitive. I'm quite in a rush to catch my train so can't look it up for you.
You could also take a look at the abit airpace, although the vista64 drivers are crap. I have it myself and works fine now, after a painful installation. Review in the members review section.
You could also take a look at the abit airpace, although the vista64 drivers are crap. I have it myself and works fine now, after a painful installation. Review in the members review section.
Scan were offing those for £7+ over the weekend.
If you could double you budget and get the homeplug networking stuff, its way faster then my 54g wireless and less confusing to setup.
Wireless cards aint that hard to setup, not worth doubling the budget
I'll vouch for that, installed 2 MSI 54g cards over the weekend and tbh Vista 64 bit installed them itself, didn't bother with the driver cds and crappy util software.
PC60G (with the fixed ant) and the other PC60 (with coax rubber duck)
(both happy under 10.5.4+ also)
PC60G (with the fixed ant) and the other PC60 (with coax rubber duck)
(both happy under 10.5.4+ also)
CSS Valid
Its not gunna be possible to drill holes to run cat5 so wondering what's the best quality WLAN card for a desktop?
I've used USB dongle type things in the past which have been totally crap :(
Thanks :)