M$ take a pointer from Apple.
Release one os version
Not that great of an idea. It works for Apple because Apply users are used to only having one option. However, breaking it down to different levels and charging different prices dependant on needs and included features is what most Window's users want. A lot of my customers would freak if I told them they had to pay $250+ for an OS that is loaded with a large number of features they don't want. Most do not need or want Ultimate edition.
OS X's business model is much better. One reasonable price gets you ALL the features. Usually $130 at launch. That's a hell of a lot better than MS's pricing scheme.
OSX's business model isn't better, at least not from a finacial standpoint. Since version 10.0 was released in 2001, there has been a new OS release in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and soon 2009. Each time requiring the entire OS to be repurchased at full price. So in the course of 3 OS releases for Microsoft, OSX has gone through 5.
Assume we get the best version of Windows possible each time, XP Pro, Vista Ultimate, and Win7 Ultimate, buying OEM licences amounts to ~$600(At launch, OEM copies went for about $200 a pop for each).
Assuming $130 a pop for OSX licences, because I don't believe they offer OEM licences, the 5 upgrades cost ~$650. And there will likely be at least one more OSX release in the life of Win7, if not 2 or 3. So your going to be shelling out another $130 to $390 on top of the $650.
Of course you can say "well you don't
have to upgrade each time a new version of OSX comes out", and that is true, you don't have to. But the same is true with Windows, you don't have to upgrade to the latest version of Windows, people are still functioning perfectly fine on XP. On top of this, I don't believe any version prior to 10.4 has seen any regular updates or support from Apple, while Windows XP is still supported by Microsoft. Correct me if I am wrong here, as I don't use anything older than 10.5.
So while OSX might have a lower upfront cost, the cost over time is greater. I prefer the higher upfront cost, but lower cost over time. Windows has a greater longevity compared to OSX.
I know that. You miss my point.
Instead of having multiple flavors of an operating system you could either have a) A home version like XP and a pro version like XP or b) have one entire OS and during the install process, choose what you want to install. (like you do with linux)
I would love to have an option that asks me what I want installed and what I don't during install, with pre-configured defaults of course for the stupid people.
really , 2 dvd's that's mean two license , i think Microsoft fault form the begging is made new os not support 4G ram or over , it should be one official os like 64 data base
thanx btarunr and Easy Rhino
2 DVDs does not mean 2 licences. You are buying one licence to install either the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the software.