[KoRn]

Does anyone really dual boot OSs anymore? Most folks just run virtual machines, rather than have a 2nd OS installed on the hard disk. Better that way, given that you can run your 2nd OS at the same time as the ‘primary’.

This does stink though. For whatever reason, certain users may NEED to dual boot, and the option should be there.

[Nat Turner]

And that is how the government could shut down the internet...just make everyone buy new “approved” PC’s...(cash for computer)

[LaybackLenny]

Fine, Microsoft. I've been running a Linux/XP box for several years. Let's see, which one am I gonna live without?

See ya Mr. Gates.

[steve86]

The whole world’s going to crap. Who knew the system designers were part of Agenda 21?

[Da Coyote]

So very Microsoft.

They really do not have any talent...never have.

Gate’s legacy of sleazy business practices has long been successful in giving us junk.

May he rest with dead Ted.

[bigbob]

Hey Microsoft, take your pick:

Abort

Retry

or

FAIL!

[I cannot think of a name]

There is a small silver lining in this:

Any machine that WILL boot Linux WON'T boot Windows at all.

Good riddance.

[Cicero]

As long as there continues to be a market for LINUX, I would imagine that the hardward makers would continue to support it, as well as MS.

Possibly some companies—Dell has been mentioned—might not do both. But I would imagine that someone would step in to fill the gap,as long as there was a profit in it.

[American in Israel]

Clearly Microsoft needs to be broken up like Ma Bell, when it practices as a monopoly. It is illegal. But then Obama’s Administration never sees corporate greed as a problem, just a doner.

[txroadkill]

My advice, save yourself the trouble and wait 3 years for Microsoft to release Windows 9 with their usual apologies for Windows 8. Why is it that every time they come up with something that basically works they have to rush out and force some piece of crap on us that is suppose to make 'Apple obsolete".

Someone needs to explain to me why Bill Gates puts out Vista (Windows ME, etc, etc, etc) and Steve Jobs gets cancer??? Where is the justice in that????

[RayChuang88]

Here's the thing though: I don't find Linux to be a really viable alternative to Windows on desktop/laptop machines, mostly because the Windows ecosystem is so much bigger, especially with software selection.

Linux as a server operating system is a great idea, but Linux as a desktop operating system, I have my doubts.

[ShadowAce]

[ShadowAce]

[for-q-clinton]

I’m sure the linux crowd will be able to figure it out.

[zeugma]

As always, microsoft is attempting to raise barriers to entry for any competitors.

How about, instead of worrying about boot times, you design the computer so it doesn't have to boot constantly? I rarely reboot a box, and often go months without having to. Who would really care if a boot process took 10 minutes if it only happened once or twice a year?

I'll never buy a computer that has this kind of vendor lock-in. It all boils down to the question of, "who's computer is it?" Microsoft would love to be able to exert as much control over your property as you're willing to let them get away with. It gives them power over your choices that they wouldn't otherwise have. yeah, that's what I want, to give microsoft more power.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Some way will be found around this. Either hacking the lockout mechanism or rejection of it by the hardware makers. And yes, I built a dual boot system this year (not that that matters).