Annual Cost of Microsoft Monopoly: $10 Billion

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft's deals with major PC vendors lock users out from alternative options, such as Linux. A recent whitepaper calculates that the cost to industry of this Microsoft monopoly is $10 billion per year."

Comments

Microsoft OEM Pressure

[segedunum]

The pressure from Microsoft on OEMs is very, very well know. Would it be tolerated in any other industry? Absolutely not, but there's a tendency from people to think that that's just the way things are when it comes to computers unfortunately.

I may very well get killed for this, but...

[soma_0806]

Let me begin by saying I don't like Microsoft products. I think it's an evil, opportunistic company that is likely funded by Nazi gold, but....

Microsoft itself is not the real culprit here. If the cost to the industry is really 10 billion, then the threshold for establishing a monopoly should be met. The problem is no real enforcement of the Sherman Act or any of the other federal "calls to arms" against monopoly.

Like it or not, in capitalist society the message sent to business is to be as nasty as profitable and permitted. As long as consumers keep buying (maybe because they feel like they don't have a choice, and there is some argument there) and the government doesn't enforce its own laws (which is probably why consumers feel they have no choice), Microsoft can't be blamed overmuch.

In short (too late!), the problem isn't really the 300 lb. gorilla. It's just doing what gorillas do. The problem is the federal prosecutor with the tranq gun taking a nap.

AC

Blatant Example of Microsoft Monopoly

[dsginter]

Here's a blantant example of how Microsoft has everyone in their pocket:

Dell Dimension 2400 w/ Windows XP = $299

Same PC w/ FreeDOS = $319

Now someone tell me how Microsoft prices Windows XP $20 cheaper than the same PC with a free operating system.