MS Slashes Prices & Removes Activation for Thai Government

[Omega65]

<a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=11058" target=_blank>The Inq: Microsoft agrees to remove XP activation, slashes price to bone </a>

Thai up means Office bundled for $35


WE DIDN'T HAVE time yesterday to write up an interesting little report in the Wall Street Journal, but it's definitely worth noting.

In order to compete with the Thai government's plan to sell a million cheapo Linux PCs, which we covered earlier, Microsoft did some fancy footwork on pricing. And on activation.

According to the Journal, Microsoft said it would sell WIndows XP and Office at a piffling $36 a PC.

And Microsoft also agreed to make specific Thai versions of Windows XP, IE and the Media Player.

But here's the real stunner, aside from the price. The Vole also removed the need for product activation for Windows XP in Thailand, at the government's request.

[Sputnik]

wtf.

[Thrax]

Bahahahah!

Go microsoft! :thumbsup:

[Black Hawk]

:sawed:

[Necropolis]

Hang on, they can give the Thai's windows and office for dirt cheap prices but we still get stiffed for full $$$$ (or ££££ in my case)

I think all governments should threaten Microsoft with Linux, see if they can get them to drive the price down right across the board.

That and the lucky gits dont have to piss around with M$ activation.

[EMT]

Way to set a precedent, m$ :)

[primesuspect]

It's because they are a Buddhist nation :) :D

[Thrax]

It's because Thailand is poor, and all of us aren't.

[primesuspect]

No, it has nothing to do with poverity. Thailand is actually not very poor. What it has to do with, is Microsoft wants a gigantic government contract and they feel that they may lose it to Linux.

You must understand one thing about Thailand - the people ADORE their King and Queen. I mean, seriously adore them. If the King switches to Linux, the whole country is switching to Linux. That is no joke, and Microsoft knows it.

[Gargoyle]

So we need one of two things:

1) A charismatic leader that would inspire our people to act as he/she does (haven't had one in my lifetime).

2) More public adoption of Linux to scare Microsoft. Lindows and other home consumer-marketed distros are good signs, but haven't made much headway.

... (or maybe there is something to this Buddhist thing? hmm...)

[primesuspect]

I actually envy the love they have for their leaders. I cannot IMAGINE having a leader that I could love, or having a President that I genuinely feel has my best interests at heart. It's a very very foreign concept to me.

[seversphere]

primesuspect: can you cook any Thai food? And do you have healthy detachments?