If they wouldn't change the fundamentals with every release they'd not spend even that much.
Last time I checked, this was America and no one was REQUIRED to buy a computer and BUY MS.
If you want to be able to communicate with the majority of the world, you have to. Microsoft patents its file formats. Yes kids, that means that if it really wanted to it could keep people from being able to make compatable products for free. If you don't believe that people should be allowed to do so then bow out, you're a statist fsck and your opinion is neither wanted nor is it revelent.