Microsoft outlines vision of pay-as-you-go computing

[Pikarya]

http://imgshack.info/images/xedam592y4ujeprp0hvs.jpg

- Microsoft has applied for a patent on metered, pay-as-you-go computing
- Under its plan, a standard PC would be given away or heavily subsidized
- Consumers would then pay regular fees to use the computer
- Charges would be based on length of usage time and PC performance levels

"Charging for the various bundles may be by bundle and by duration. For example, the office bundle may be $1.00 [68 pence] per hour, the gaming bundle may be $1.25 per hour and the browsing bundle may be $0.80 per hour. The usage charges may be abstracted to 'units/hour' to make currency conversions simpler. Alternatively, a bundle may incur a one-time charge that is operable until changed or for a fixed-usage period," the document reads.

Source: Microsoft outlines vision of pay-as-you-go computing - CNN.com

wat.

[Mayareira]

Not sure if this is a good idea or not with laptop/desktop computers are getting cheaper and cheaper. Unfortunately we can't say the same about the software prices so office bundle, etc. might come in handy.

[0ni0n]

This is fucking stupid. That's the idea MS' ivy league MBAs come up with?

[Cephius]

Eh, as long as it's not forced upon consumers I don't see anything wrong with it. People who use their computer sparingly for web browsing or school might actually benefit from it.

[MrW]

This is fucking stupid. That's the idea MS' ivy league MBAs come up with?

^ It does have some comedic value though.

[Olo401]

Fuck Microsoft. The only positive outcome this will have is driving open source computing into the mainstream.

[Sonomaa]

why is there a picture of bill gates, he doesnt work for MS anymore.

[Kiarax]

why is there a picture of bill gates, he doesnt work for MS anymore.

Yes he does, he just doesn't work there full time anymore.

[Fhqwghads]

Might not be that bad a concept as long as it's akin to a lease. That way you're paying the same rate, but you also have the latest versions and the latest hardware. Maybe toss in free support, as in when something bad happens to the hardware it gets replaced, and it doesn't sound so retarded. Especially if data recovery is part of the package when a hard drive fails.

[0ni0n]

The Pay-as-go strategy seems to target consumers who don't have the disposal income to purchase a computer for their family. In developed countries, how is MS gonna compete with Netbooks and cloud computing as both gradually gain popularity? You can get a netbook for as little as $400 and find many of the essential software free or online (open doc and google documents). The price of Netbooks could be even lower if you pre-load it with linux. In Asia and Latin America, internet cafes are ubiquitous where people already rent computer on a pay-as-go basis. MS totally misses the boat if it hopes to garner a huge following in developing countries with this business model.

[Gulkeeva]

I wonder how much you have to pay for "OS crash time" or program crash time

[Pikarya]

tree fitty

[Gulkeeva]

I hope I don't get charged for looking up hentai... well atleast I use firefox not IE but still OS usage time ;/

mmm felicia hentai... O_o

[Pikarya]

mmm felicia hentai...

Indeed x_x

[Correction]

It's distributed internet cafe. That's all.

Why are people getting worked up over this like they won't have a choice?

[Zez]

Because we are human beings. God gave us mouths to be loud and fingers to be mad over the internet.

[Cephius]

I'm willing to bet that if this was Apple announcing this, they'd be lauded as "outsmarting M$ again" and "another great example of Apple caring about the average Joe" and yadda yadda yadda cocksucking. But because it's Microsoft, it's labeled as another money-grubbing whore tactic from TEH EVIL EMPIREZ

ITT: Microsoft comes up with alternative business model, sky falls

[Gulkeeva]

Well dam, if its only in internet cafe's I feel safer. If it was at home .. i might have to move to a new OS! (oh god I hate using a mac ;/)

[Mizango]

I'm willing to bet that if this was Apple announcing this, they'd be lauded as "outsmarting M$ again" and "another great example of Apple caring about the average Joe" and yadda yadda yadda cocksucking. But because it's Microsoft, it's labeled as another money-grubbing whore tactic from TEH EVIL EMPIREZ

ITT: Microsoft comes up with alternative business model, sky falls

But of course.

[Mayareira]

I'm willing to bet that if this was Apple announcing this, they'd be lauded as "outsmarting M$ again" and "another great example of Apple caring about the average Joe" and yadda yadda yadda cocksucking. But because it's Microsoft, it's labeled as another money-grubbing whore tactic from TEH EVIL EMPIREZ

ITT: Microsoft comes up with alternative business model, sky falls

Its the other way around actually. Apple products/ideas get flamed faster than anything else, even at their own forums . Got to admit though, Jobs is more charismatic than Gates!

Again, I still think it is a decent idea and can see some uses of it.