Avoiding the Microsoft Tax

More and more recently, I've been wanting a new laptop for no reason other than that the novelty of this one has worn off. I've been researching, and it seems very few companies indeed offer laptops in UK without Windows. This is almost certainly because it would adversely affect their OEM Windows price.

Microsoft has OEMs right where it wants them, and given its monopoly, is forcing manufacturers to only sell Windows. However, after recently reading the Microsoft Windows Vista EULAs (End User License Agreements), I am even more determined to avoid shelling out for an unwanted Windows license, even if it costs me more in doing so.

Microsoft's bullying tactics are totally unethical and it will only stop if people stand up to them. In fact, I have doubts as to whether parts of the EULA are even legally binding in UK. From the Vista EULAs:


  • Only able to transfer the license to another PC once, and once only

  • Running Home editions in virtual PCs is forbidden

  • Microsoft has the right to deny you access to your whole system if it has any reason to believe that you're up to no good

  • Forbids publishing benchmark results except under specific circumstances

  • Places the burden (and loss of income) on OEMs to refund unwanted licenses.

  • Appoints Microsoft as judge and jury in EULA disputes

  • Phones home to Microsoft servers

  • Is full of DRM and closed source proprietry rubbish

The scariest thing of all is that you have to part with your money before you even get to see the license. And if you reject the license, you have to undergo a lot of hassle to get some sort of refund.

I disagree with this license, and the general Microsoft bullying attitude. I have no respect for a company that uses its size to stop resellers supporting its competitors, or one that has no regard for international standard (cue: IE). The only way to avoid the Microsoft tax is to buy from a small independant, although the hardware quality might also suffer as a result. (Laptops generally tend to be made by big companies)

I currently have my eye on Novatech and EfficientPC

Posted 29th June 2007 in Life, with 2 comments

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