[Bogey78O]

I'll put it to ya this way Bush2000,

when you stop looking at a PCs as a revenue source post sale then you'll stop all the linux and Mac users in their tracks.

For all the animosity you have towards the Baby Bells at least we were honest back in the day that the phones and all equipment was our property and not the customer who was leasing it. But oddly enough MS wants to treat PCs as if the user is only leasing it from MS.

[Bush2000]

But oddly enough MS wants to treat PCs as if the user is only leasing it from MS.

A. You're not forced to buy MS products. There are alternatives. Buy a Mac. Or use Linux.
B. If you do buy a MS product, nobody can make you upgrade your PC. Ever.
C. If you find MS's grasp too tight, try going to Apple and take your marching orders from Stevie Jobs. Don't like your hardware options? Too bad. Don't like your software options? Too bad.

[stripes1776]

But oddly enough MS wants to treat PCs as if the user is only leasing it from MS.

Well, that is partly true. While you own the hardware, you don't own the operating system. What you buy is a license that allows you to use Microsoft's software. Microsoft owns the operating system software. You just buy the right to use something that belongs to them.

That has always been the case. They are just coming up with new ways to make sure you comply with the license. If you don't like that arrangement, then buy different hardware that will allow you to install whatever operating system you want. You don't have to buy Intel processors. And Linux is certainly an option for a different operating system.