Pete! said:
I really don't understand why you think MS would care which computer you put "pro" on.
Because they are not a non-profit. And again, this trick is for users who are
already using Windows
10.
Corrine said:
Bill, consider what Microsoft lost by providing free upgrades to Windows 10. Microsoft could have provided the upgrades at a reduced price and no doubt would have gotten a lot of takers. Or course, I suspect you likely agree that the object was to move as many as possible to Windows 10, thus reducing the number of operating systems they are providing updates for.
Right, but there is a big distinction between that free, HUGELY
publicized "offer" by Microsoft themselves, and this "
hidden trick" that does not seem to appear on any Microsoft website.
That upgrade "offer" directly from Microsoft was to get people off Windows 7 and Windows 8 and on to Windows 10. So, as you noted, Microsoft could concentrate all their resources on one OS, instead of spending $millions every year supporting two
superseded operating systems - with $0.00 in return on that huge investment! That is not a win for Microsoft.
Windows 10 Home "Retail" licenses on
Newegg are currently $120 for the "boxed" (USB flash drive) versions. The Pro license is $200. How is losing $80 good for any company when there will be $0.00 returns on that loss? In talking OEM licenses, there is about a $50 difference between the Home and Pro license.
It is not like anti-malware programs where they make up for give-aways and special offers with recurring subscription/renewal fees. Or printer companies where they make up for it in recurring and expensive ink sales. That's just $80 (or $50) that is gone forever!
How is it fair to all those users (including me) who spent extra for the Pro versions?
If this was something Microsoft intended, why not just automatically give everyone the Pro version? That would be one less version to support! Or at least publish this as an "offer" on an official MS website?
Now in the case of factory made computers with Windows 10 pre-installed,
IF the OEM computer maker paid Microsoft the same "Home" price amount for every license, regardless if Home or Pro, and Microsoft gets no additional compensation if the Pro version is activated instead of the Home, then I can see where Microsoft would not care about this trick. But we don't know that is happening. It sure didn't in the past for my business for our builds. Pro licenses always cost more.
If Dell/HP/Acer pay $X for Home and $X + $more for Pro, then this trick is taking profits from the computer makers. How is that fair to them? Or to their customers who paid more for Pro at purchase?
As a consumer, I am all for getting something for nothing. But that does not automatically make it right.
I don't see this "trick" as an "offer", but a "take".