[1vuio0pswjnm7]

It is pretty amazing how Microsoft has gotten away with this, which probably had few comparables in the business world when OEMS first started pre-installing Windows on personal computers. Gates' entire fortune rests on the success of it.

I have always thought there is this underlying assumption that generally no person would ever purchase a computer that had no OS pre-installed. (Obviously that is not true, there are exceptions, e.g., pre-Microsoft and even today, with development boards.) If people were happy to install their own choice of OS (if there were choices), then could Microsoft have been so successful.

Computers have given rise to middleman-based businesses the likes of which have never been seen before.

What we are seeing with the internet perhaps mirrors the PC. As with the PC, where it was assumed that generally no person could do anything useful with "just a PC" without a pre-selected, pre-installed OS, there is an underlying assumption that generally no person could do anything useful with "just an internet connection" without a pre-selection of some certain "tech" companies.

It is nigh impossible to purchase computers and connect to the internet without the presence of middlemen and pre-made selections.

[passivate]

We have several "Windows PCs" at work, but my coworkers see them as "PC that I use to operate X instrument", "PC that lets me do Y". While people obviously do recognize the Microsoft logo and brand on them, mentally they're just tools. I think most people view computers as a means to an end - to get something done.

[Animats]

It is nigh impossible to purchase computers and connect to the internet without the presence of middlemen and pre-made selections.

Who are you buying from? I get computers from Central Computer, which has five stores in Silicon Valley. They charge $30 extra to install Windows 10, $64 for Windows 10 Pro, and $0 for Linux.

[npteljes]

This would be logical, but due to some business practices, Windows bundles often costed less than the alternatives.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundling_of_Microsoft_Windows#...

[fest]

I wouldn't be surprised that OEMs are actually net positive on Windows and all the trials of antiviruses and games they're bundling with PCs.

[1vuio0pswjnm7]

All I want is a BIOS or equivalent. Software necessary to initialise the hardware. I do not need Linux installed.

[toast0]

> It is pretty amazing how Microsoft has gotten away with this, which probably had few comparables in the business world when OEMS first started pre-installing Windows on personal computers.

They had plenty of experience doing similar things with MS-Dos; and they had a consent decree to tell them where the line was. (and I think they crossed the line again anyway)