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Microsoft To Sell Win XP Starter Edition In Russia

Posted by timothy on from the but-not-in-moscow-idaho dept.

Garabito writes "Cnet reports that Microsoft plans to distribute in Russia the low-cost, stripped-down version of Windows XP, called 'Starter Edition.' This release of Windows is aimed at markets in developing nations, and is known for not allowing more than three applications to run at the same time and not being networking capable. This product will not be available on retail, but will be distributed by OEM vendors in new PCs, at an approximate price of US$36. On a side note, the article also states that the MS tax paid by vendors to Microsoft for Windows XP licenses is $70 or more."

7 of 453 comments (clear)

  1. In Soviet Russia, by Motherfucking+Shit · · Score: 4, Funny

    ..ahh, why bother.

    --
    "BSD: Free as in speech. Linux: Free as in beer. Windows 10: Free as in herpes." --Man On Pink Corner in #52607549.
  2. In Soviet Russia by detriment · · Score: 4, Funny

    Customer rips off Microsoft!

  3. good against piracy! by Boeboe · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd like to see anyone willing to pirate thing thing :)

  4. That looks like surplus to me... by TheTXLibra · · Score: 4, Funny

    Only runs three applications. Sells at a bargain basement price. Can't network worth crap. So basically: Russia is getting the unsold copies of Windows 95. Kudos to MS for figuring out a way to recycle their backstock rather than dump it in a landfill.

    --
    -The Libra
    "Please be patient--The future will begin momentarily."
  5. No networking.. by peterprior · · Score: 4, Funny

    With the current surge of spyware, viruses (don't get into the virii / viruses battle) and other malware, this may be the best feature yet :)

  6. I am willing to bet... by overbyj · · Score: 4, Funny

    that somebody at Microsoft is getting an award for this idea. It is just the culture of Microsoft that something this stupid is going on.

    Marketing Exec One: Let's try selling our stripped-down, crippled version of Windows to stop piracy and stop this "Linux-thingy" in Russia. Nobody there will know the difference

    Marketing Exec Two: Brilliant!

    One week later in Redmond at a special award ceremony:

    Bill Gates: We hereby award this plaque for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Marketing Excellence (apologies to the Simpsons). Marketing Exec One has devised a brilliant plan to stop piracy and the Linux cancer in Russia. Brilliant!

    And so life goes on in Redmond.

    --
    No trees were harmed in the composition of this; however, numerous electrons were inconvenienced.
  7. less is more ? by eludom · · Score: 5, Funny

    > This release of Windows ... is not ...networking
    > capable.

    Hey...how come Russia gets the secure version of XP?

    ---eludom