M$ is really gearing up for Windows 7 launch with PR likes this.  So, basically, if you look a computer on average, M$ is saying it only takes 5% on average...when you consider that the OS is the most important aspect of a computer, it's hardly hard to argue with this point.  It's going to be interesting to see what computer makers have to say about it.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/16/microsoft-says-oems-pay-about-50-for-windows-on-a-1-000-pc/#comments

Microsoft says OEMs pay about $50 for Windows on a $1,000 PC

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 16th 2009 at 7:07PM

There's been no shortage of rumors and speculation about how much Microsoft charges OEMs for a copy of Windows over the years, but Microsoft itself has stayed fairly mum on the matter -- until this week, that is. Speaking at the Jefferies Annual Technology Conference, Microsoft exec Charles Songhurst revealed for the first time that the company has "always charged about $50" for a copy of Windows on the average $1,000 PC, or about 5% of the total cost. Songhurst also seems to imply that Microsoft is looking to get about 5% across the board for Windows, meaning that it can rake in some impressive profits on high-end PCs while still being able to offer Windows on the cheap for netbooks or $300 desktops. Songhurst even went so far as to say that cheap PCs are a net benefit for Microsoft so long as they are "not cannibalistic to the total PC demand," and he and unsurprisingly further went on to extol the virtues of Windows 7, saying that it is a "compellingly good product," and that "when Windows is executing well, Microsoft is in good shape."

The source of the evil. I see.
















lol

Ubuntu = 0% of OEM cost.

what it can't do windows can't? direct x11
(it can do 9 =P).

and it does opengl 3.2 nicely :D

Errr...so how do you make money off ubuntu?  maybe video cards and processors should be free too...hey...why are we even paying for the PCs...this shit should all be free...WTF is going on here!  Maybe we should jsut get a bunch of engineers and technicians and jsut work on stuff in a commune to build a totally free PC...sorry...but communism doesn't work...sooner of later...somebody is going to try to get that extra slice of pie... 

How about ubuntu offering a different operating system alternative to microsoft?  I know your a MS fangirl but the unfortunate truth for you is that *gasp* there other OS are out there that do not charge a fee, maybe they are not for profit?

Red hat does it by provinding support, and those things are hardware. ;)

germany and brazil are smart people they already moving to linux and saving millions on licenses.

or you saying linux = evil comunist ?!! oh noez!

And if your willing to pony up the money for it , all the power to you. Don't knock other services because MS has your mind warped, get educated.

I know about unbuntu (the term, BTW was copyrighted...how the heck can you copyright an old African principle?...this is like saying I'm going to copyright Carpe Diem...or Freedom!)

Sorry, but nothing is free in life, and it's just a matter of pay now or pay later...I'm still not sure why you don't think other "components" of a PC should be free...and have everthing on a service fee basis...why only focus on the OS?

nothing in this life is free? of course there is, ubuntu is one it made for the people, canonical funds the development with other sources of course.

but using the OS is free, and it's going to change.

red hat makes money from giving support to companies, 

hardware is not free because besides the human work emsambling the piece, there is  materials used to build  but bulding yourself a pc is free u only pay for the components.

linux it's the same but the materials are free, you only install the components you want. some people do that work for free, test and package the components that conform and OS.

and make it easy to install them and update them.

That's a fair price. I usually end up paying ~$80 for builder editions when I build new PCs. I would use any Linux build as I just don't want the hassles. Its much easier knowing that any software/hardware I buy will actually work out of the box without issues, generally. Plus, I can actually use Office, .NET, etc.

Oh and games, yeah ALL games work.

Finally, I don't have to educate everyone in my family on how to use a new product.

Essentially, it pays for itself in saved time, especially when considering my hourly wage. ;)