3 ms·
I seriously doubt that, given that computers sold with FreeDOS (generally in the third world) are sold with the implicit understanding that the end user will in
by smitherfield 10y ago
I seriously doubt that, given that computers sold with FreeDOS (generally in the third world) are sold with the implicit understanding that the end user will install a pirated version of Windows.
- pvdebbe 10y agoMicrosoft probably doesn't care about sales but market share.
- digi_owl 10y agoAt least for consumer grade computing, they want Windows out here so they can make a lower TOC argument to companies. After all future employees will already be familiar with Windows and perhaps MS Office, so there will not be as long a training period.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- problems 10y agoOr you know, Linux, BSD, or a legitimately licensed version of Windows via another means like MSDN or Dreamspark? Plenty of good legitimate and illegitimate reasons to do this, not just piracy.
- smitherfield 10y agoThe actual reason is piracy.
- supercheetah 10y agoIt's really not. Cynicism not needed.
- dguaraglia 10y agoI have to agree with smitherfield. In Latin America (where I lived most of my life) it's pretty common to sell computers with either pirated Windows or something like FreeDOS. Only reputable brands (like Dell, HP and so on) care to ship official Windows installs, and even retail stores (like, say, Best Buy in the US) will offer you different kinds of installations: Windows (at a much higher cost), some Linux variant with no support or a trial version of Windows that you can replace with your own pirated version. Software piracy is rampant in developing nations, which is understandable. Who wants to pay half a month's salary for a copy of Windows?