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Microsoft Slugs Mac Users With Vista Tax

Posted by samzenpus on from the pay-up dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Mac users wanting to run Vista on their Macintosh, alongside Mac OS X programs, will have to buy an expensive version of Vista if they want to legally install it on their systems. The end-user license agreement for the cheaper versions of Vista (Home Basic and Home Premium) explicitly forbids the use of those versions on virtual machines (i.e., Macs pretending to be PCs)." Update: 02/08 17:50 GMT by KD : A number of readers have pointed out that the Vista EULA does not forbid installing it via Apple's Bootcamp; that is, the "tax" only applies to running Vista under virtualization.

6 of 661 comments (clear)

  1. Re:This is going too far ;) by bigstrat2003 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Tell me again why we should buy Macs? There is one reason, and one reason only, anyone should buy a Mac. To run Mac OS. Your argument about the hardware just doesn't hold water to me, as in my experience with Macs I've found the hardware to be hard to service (all iMacs, G4 PowerMacs), too expensive, and just plain bad ideas (G3+G5 iMacs, I'm looking at you. That being said, the G4 iMac was an amazing design which they were fools to throw away). I honestly fail to see why anyone would ever buy a Mac, and then use Vista instead of Mac OS, which is what you seem to be suggesting.

    --
    "16MB (fuck off, MiB fascists)" - The Mighty Buzzard
  2. Re:Summary incorrect. by Kymermosst · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    This is just another form of disciminatory [sic] pricing, like having the Home/Premium/Ultimate split in the first place.

    Yeah! And you know what? Car manufacturers are just as guilty! Can you believe that they charge more to have power door locks, power windows, and heated seats?

    --
    "Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives" should be a convenience store, not a government agency.
  3. Re:Coherence changed my life by jcgf · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I see that you have a macbook. Is it one of the new black ones by chance? I'm thinking of buying one and am looking for people's opinions.

  4. Re:Summary incorrect. by countach · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Do they also charge more for a car if you intend to drive it on your farm, instead of the interstate?

  5. Re:Summary incorrect. by Achromatic1978 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I think the funniest part of your post is the fact that Americans have been conditioned to believe a Cadillac Escalade is a "luxury vehicle". It might be an upscale SUV, but luxury? Oh, dear.

  6. Re:Summary incorrect. by Gentlewhisper · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I think the funniest part of your post is the fact that Americans have been conditioned to believe a Cadillac Escalade is a "luxury vehicle". It might be an upscale SUV, but luxury? Oh, dear.
    With the american middle class evaporating with outsourcing and the growth of the Walmart generation the Escalade is as much a luxury item as a Mac is the Rolls Royce of computers.
    --
    Online backup with Mozy, sounds like Ozzie, but more!