Another: can't *not* buy Win95 on Dell or Gateway

Subject: Another: can't *not* buy Win95 on Dell or Gateway
James Love (love@cptech.org)
Date: Sun, 03 May 1998 11:49:55 -0400 

Date: Sun, 03 May 1998 11:49:55 -0400
From: James Love <love@cptech.org>
Subject: Another: can't *not* buy Win95 on Dell or Gateway
To: Roundtable <roundtable@cni.org>
Message-Id: <354C9223.F0FB9C0B@cptech.org>

This is another "can't not buy Win 95" when buy a computer from Dell or
Gateway.

   jamie 

-- 
James Love
Consumer Project on Technology
P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036
love@cptech.org | http://www.cptech.org/
voice 202.387.8030, fax 202.234.5176

---------------
  Subject: Microsoft Windows Puzzler
     Date: Sun, 3 May 1998 08:51:18 -0400
     From: "Sharp, Larry D." <ldsharp@mwbb.com>
       To: "'at-members@abanet.org'" <at-members@abanet.org>

I'd like some insights on how market forces produce the following
situation.

I am in the market for a computer. I upgraded my old 486 to run Windows
95, and bought Windows 95 for it, but the old machine is dying. I need a
replacement. The old machine will be taken out of service.

I have decided I would like a Dell or a Gateway. When I price them
online, I find I can upgrade, downgrade, or eliminate various components
to match my needs. I can even decide to take no monitor at all, and try
to stretch a little more life out of the one I have now.

One thing I know I don't need is another CD with Windows 95 on it. But
when I try to eliminate that, I find that I can't. To buy one of those
computers, I must buy a copy of Windows 95 that I do not need.

Why are these manufacturers willing to let me customize or even
eliminate other parts of the packages they sell, but not willing to let
me take a pass on the Windows 95? If they are paying $40 for each copy
they throw into a box with a computer (am I wrong when I recall that
Microsoft has given up per-processor fees?), why do they not let me 
save a bit, and them make a bit, by offering me a less-than-$40
deduction for excluding Windows 95 from my purchase package?

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