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90% of computers controlled by one company?
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Comments (39)
19 earlier comments in the full thread.
Also most people in these parts of the world buy assembled computers rather than the branded ones since they turn out to be cheaper even with higher specs. The retailer installs a pirated version of XP (XP professional here) on such machines and also willingly provides a copy of the pirated CD for future reinstalls.
Also most people in these parts of the world buy assembled computers rather than the branded ones since they turn out to be cheaper even with higher specs.
You are very right on that one I think.
>>and also willingly provides a copy of the pirated CD for future reinstalls.
I doubt it. They refer you to the shop next door, who's business it is to sell pirated stuff. Kind of " brother helps sister " business.
The shops are very big, with at least a 1000 different softwares. One CD goes for 150 Baht. ( 120 if you are a regular ) . (( one $ being 35 Baht )) Custom made CDs go for double the price.
You are very right on that one I think.
>>and also willingly provides a copy of the pirated CD for future reinstalls.
I doubt it. They refer you to the shop next door, who's business it is to sell pirated stuff. Kind of " brother helps sister " business.
The shops are very big, with at least a 1000 different softwares. One CD goes for 150 Baht. ( 120 if you are a regular ) . (( one $ being 35 Baht )) Custom made CDs go for double the price.
I notice my comment wasn't approved. I guess questioning his 90% number (unless you inflate it further) or pointing out that Linux has more market share was unwelcome.
>>>>>>>>>I notice my comment wasn't approved
caitlyn, I am not aware about comments needing approvement. I think it was a software glitch. Try again
caitlyn, I am not aware about comments needing approvement. I think it was a software glitch. Try again
When I entered my comment it clearly stated that it was being held for moderator approval. Sorry, this wasn't a glitch. It was a choice.
there is one there that sounds like you caitlyn it's annonymous though
ta: It's not mine. My post quoted IDC and ABI Research figures to show that his 90% number was way off base.
would be nice if we could see that post
In the meantime - while people are searching for Caitlyn's post - please let me ask the following question:
Nikkels tells us that almost all personal computers can be bought without OS in countries such as Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. Even 'brand' computers such as Acer Aspire M. There's at least a small demand for those computers where I live (NL, EU, but probably this goes for whole 'First World'), but no offer. I also understand you receive a discount if you buy without legal software.
What I'm eager to find out, is: If you shipped those software-less computers from Taiwan to the EU or North America, would those still be cheaper than the same computer 'with the legal software we don't want to pay for'?
Are there any websites from those shops in Taiwan where you could compare prices and such? Or are sales just on the street and not on the net?
Nikkels tells us that almost all personal computers can be bought without OS in countries such as Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. Even 'brand' computers such as Acer Aspire M. There's at least a small demand for those computers where I live (NL, EU, but probably this goes for whole 'First World'), but no offer. I also understand you receive a discount if you buy without legal software.
What I'm eager to find out, is: If you shipped those software-less computers from Taiwan to the EU or North America, would those still be cheaper than the same computer 'with the legal software we don't want to pay for'?
Are there any websites from those shops in Taiwan where you could compare prices and such? Or are sales just on the street and not on the net?
I don't know, but I am prepared to gather information when I am there around.
Next thing I am thinking about ....are those computers really assembled // shipped in Taiwan or are parts shipped from Taiwan and then locally assembled in their warehouse. What made me thinking like this, is that my computer carries a 3 month factory guarantee ( found on the internet ), but I get a 1 year dealer guarantee here. Usually the dealer doesn't give more than the factory, isn't it ?
sorry , that's it for now. Can't see my keyboard properly. Night all
Next thing I am thinking about ....are those computers really assembled // shipped in Taiwan or are parts shipped from Taiwan and then locally assembled in their warehouse. What made me thinking like this, is that my computer carries a 3 month factory guarantee ( found on the internet ), but I get a 1 year dealer guarantee here. Usually the dealer doesn't give more than the factory, isn't it ?
sorry , that's it for now. Can't see my keyboard properly. Night all
HK, have you looked in the ebay "shops"?
On the other hand, it's quite possible that there are OEM and reseller contracts by which Microsoft stops "brand" computer from being sold in the US and EU without Windows pre-installed.
On the other hand, it's quite possible that there are OEM and reseller contracts by which Microsoft stops "brand" computer from being sold in the US and EU without Windows pre-installed.
When I went in to buy a computer about three years back, then got it built on the spot. So selected a tower cabinet, then an intel motherboard, then a seagate HD (actually just transferred the HD from my old computer) and a LG DVD drive. The assembling was done in a few minutes before my eyes and that was it. I guess this should be possible in other parts of the world too. When I was studying in a university in the US, then had got a second-hand computer that had been assembled by a student.
Quoting:What I'm eager to find out, is: If you shipped those software-less computers from Taiwan to the EU or North America, would those still be cheaper than the same computer 'with the legal software we don't want to pay for'?
Problem: That's classified as "grey import" or "parallel import". You'd risk getting your butt sued off.
> That's classified as "grey import" or "parallel import". You'd risk getting your butt sued off.
As a business, possibly. As an individual buyer almost certainly not.
As a business, possibly. As an individual buyer almost certainly not.
You're right. But as an individual, would you really want to order a computer from the other side of the world from a company that probably doesn't even speak your language? I mean, it's not like you can go to the Taiwan Acer website and order a laptop. You'd have to deal with Taiwanese resellers. The people that nikkels buys computers from at his local computer shop.
And don't forget about import taxes. That may make the imported machine more expensive after all.
And don't forget about import taxes. That may make the imported machine more expensive after all.
Quoting:And don't forget about import taxes. That may make the imported machine more expensive after all.
And therein lies the rub
> But as an individual, would you really want to order a computer from the other side of the world from a company that probably doesn't even speak your language?
Believe me Sander, for most people that depends entirely on the price.
Believe me Sander, for most people that depends entirely on the price.
I have to share this, even though it's bit off topic.
We received a phone call this morning from Microsoft. Apparently the boss purchased a new MSDN subscription as part of a Microsoft "Open" License agreement. However during the ordering process the new MSDN subscription became associated with an existing "Open" Licence authorisation number, which is due to expire on June 30, which means the new MSDN subscription for the "Open" License will expire at the same time, and the 2 years of "Benefits" to this organisation will be lost.
Don't you just love proprietary software.
In the course of our conversation I told the Microsoft representative that the only time I use Microsoft products was when I'm working for this company, the rest of the time I use Free Open Source Software, and that I thought this whole debacle was considerably amusing, given that I never have to bother with "Open" License agreements or Authorisation numbers or registration keys.
We received a phone call this morning from Microsoft. Apparently the boss purchased a new MSDN subscription as part of a Microsoft "Open" License agreement. However during the ordering process the new MSDN subscription became associated with an existing "Open" Licence authorisation number, which is due to expire on June 30, which means the new MSDN subscription for the "Open" License will expire at the same time, and the 2 years of "Benefits" to this organisation will be lost.
Don't you just love proprietary software.
In the course of our conversation I told the Microsoft representative that the only time I use Microsoft products was when I'm working for this company, the rest of the time I use Free Open Source Software, and that I thought this whole debacle was considerably amusing, given that I never have to bother with "Open" License agreements or Authorisation numbers or registration keys.
> I told the Microsoft representative that the only time I use Microsoft products was when I'm working for this company, the rest of the time...
It would not have surprised me if the rep said, "Yeah, me too."
But I'm sure when his supervisor heard that on the transcript, he would have been fired.
It would not have surprised me if the rep said, "Yeah, me too."
But I'm sure when his supervisor heard that on the transcript, he would have been fired.
Quoting:On the other hand, it's quite possible that there are OEM and reseller contracts by which Microsoft stops "brand" computer from being sold in the US and EU without Windows pre-installed.
Indeed, that's the main problem. It could be stopped by finding those Microsoft/OEM contracts and sending them to the EC, but those contracts are well hidden and secret. Probably not going to happen anytime soon. An 'easier' way would be to circumvent those reseller contracts by importing those machines from another country was my initial thought. Especially when you 'buy together', like 100 pieces or so, you can divide the shipping & administrative costs. At least I hoped.
Quoting:That's classified as "grey import" or "parallel import". You'd risk getting your butt sued off.Didn't know. A real shame.
Quoting:And don't forget about import taxes.19%, I know.
Quoting:would you really want to order a computer from the other side of the world from a company that probably doesn't even speak your language?
Another problem. Unless you have local contacts or so.
And the other big problem I thought about is guarantee. You have to buy 105 netbooks if you want to sell 100 of them, was another thought of mine.
Not to mention I'm unemployed and don't have money to buy those 105 netbooks in first place, but that can be circumvented by means of crowdsourcing in the 'buy it together'-way.
But all of those barriers above are probably the reason why netbooks without OS / with Linux on a big scale is not happening in the country where I live. The result is Microsoft still controls the OEM/distribution channels.
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