----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Reeves" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "The Hardware List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 7:51 PM
Subject: Re: [H] I'm convinced, Vista is garbage.
One of the other problems vista will face is market confusion. There will
be EIGHTEEN different versions of Vista
This reminds me of the horrible rip-off of customers who make the mistake of
buying XP Home OEM when they really need XP Pro OEM. If Microsoft uses an
upgrade path with Vista that is similar to XP look for huge rip-offs.
Here is the scenario I have seen customers face and some took the bait:
Customer orders a new computer with XP Home which is $90.00 on his invoice
from me (I line item quote new computers)
Customer changes his mind a week later and wants XP Pro which sells for
$180.00 in the local stores, the Upgrade version.
Customer asks me for advice. My Windows XP Pro OEM kits are $150.00. Can't
do that as the computer is not new anymore, so it legally does not qualify
for my OEM kit, but requires the Upgrade version.
Customer now pays $180.00 to upgrade from XP Home OEM to XP Pro Upgrade
version.
Total outlay for Windows hits $270.00 in a week! Rip-off or what?
If the upgrade path for Vista is anything like the upgrade path for XP,
either make the right choice the first time, sell the computer and buy
another new one, or get screwed royally in the pricing to upgrade.
Of course I called Microsoft and raised hell and was told, "Your only option
to install XP Pro on that existing computer is the Upgrade version."
Case closed and Microsoft wins again, $270.00 for one computer because the
customer made the wrong choice in the beginning.
Chuck
