JerryLeeCooper.com

No need for Piracy or IP Theft here !It is saddening to see articles like this that talk about buildingcomputing systems, and leave out the necessary costs involved withproperly licensing the  operating software. There is an unwrittensuggestion within the article that the user could somehow bypass thesecosts ? or worse - choose a system (Ubuntu),  which will lead the userinto the dark and uncharted world of freeware - a world where the truecosts are frighteningly hidden in the details.
I would suggest that in building any computing aparatus, one firstselects the software required, and then builds the rest of systemaround that.
At the center of this choice would be the Windows Vista of course -preferably in the Business edition, at a low price of $299.
That leaves $200 left, and for that money one could purchase a qualitycase for about $50, a Microsoft keyboard and Mouse combo .. another$50, and a  Motherboard for $100.
Now - anyone with experience in the computing IT industry would knowthat prices for CPU’s, RAM memory, and Hard Disk memory always dropsignificantly over  time.
A top of the line processor, RAM memory and Hard Disk memory may cost$1000 at today’s prices - however, in a short time frame, these willcost only $200.  And so, the wise buyer, by strategically delayingtheir purchase order, will save $800.
A good quality 19″ monitor - another $200.
Microsoft Office - add $400
Now lets do the figures :$499 for the purchase of the initial equipment.+ $200 for the upgrades later on.- $800 savings by delaying the CPU / RAM / Disk purchase+ $200 for a monitor+ $400 for Microsoft Officce=$499 total
There you have it - a perfectly ‘decent’ computing machine with alegal and licenced copy of operating software (and $1 in change) vs$500 for a somewhat  hobbled Ubuntu machine that leaves its user withundeclared balance sheet liablity for patent infringements.
Like so many other independent studies have found before .. A properlylicensed Microsoft solution is not only the safer option, but also thelower cost  option as well.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 2:44 am and is filed under Computers, jerryleecooper. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.