Mimentum Blog

Posted By Mimenta on July 30, 2010

Looking at a new computer?

Give this some thought . . .

I was in a large computer store yesterday and it was advertising software.  Here are a few of their prices (keep in mind this is Melbourne Australia):
Windows 7  Home Premium Edition ……$299.00
Windows 7 Professional Edition…………. $349.00
Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition $174.00
Microsoft Office Professional Edition……… $838.00

So if I bought a fully equipped computer, ready to do school or business work,  the software for it would cost ($299 + $174 = $473) $473 for the basement priced edition or ($349 +838=$1187) for the Super Duper Deluxe version. I can do everything except edit graphic images and compose music.
We have a range from $473.00 to $1187.00 . . . . remember these figures.

If I bought a computer as a bare bones unit (no software) and added Ubuntu, I can download it free (or pay a massive $15.00 for a DVD). It comes complete with Open Office.

I have everything that my Super Duper Deluxe computer has and a few extras too:
- It runs faster and cooler because Ubuntu (and all other Linux operating systems) use less processing power.
- My Internet experience will be better because the sites load faster (there are no virus threats to Linux on the Internet so files are checked and loaded faster).
- There are forums with real people who speak my level of language, who can give me advice that I can actually understand. I don’t have to call a number in Sydney and quote a 24 digit code to get customer service.
- I can configure my computer, upgrade the disks, processor etc and reload my operating system and Office software as often as I like (Windows allows only twice).
- My operating system and Office software is not sending secret user information back to it’s vendors so they can sell me more stuff later.

I went to the counter and asked if they could supply a laptop and a desktop without any operating system and they said yes but they would have to get them from the warehouse so it would take up to two working days for delivery but the good part was they would drop the price by $200.00 and even install Linux for me!

I think if I had really pushed it, and shopped around I could have shaved another $100.00 off the price.

So you really have ask, what was that extra $300.00 paying for?

Ignorance – there are literally millions of people out there, who are paying for their ignorance.

Categories: Business, Computing, Mimentum
Tags: Business information, business on line, business success, Computer security. computer fraud, computers, Internet security, Operating Systems, Software, Website design