How wide would that adoption be if not for bundled sales?
Competing with 'free' is only hard once the cost is broken out and made visible.
I was personally responsible for the purchase of 3 windows licenses last year, but I didn't use any of them. The Microsoft tax makes it seem as though things are better than they really are, it's only a couple of percent but it does make a difference and I think that percentage would be higher if people had to pay the full list price for their windows licenses.
Win7 is doing incredibly well at retail sales and enthusiasts who build their own computers and buy OEM copies.
Besides, if people wanted something else, they would get that. Every year Linux is ready for the desktop yet isn't and for many people Macs are too expensive for their budget. Both also have the associated learning cost which for many consumers who are not enthusiasts can't afford. It's up to ? to get Linux recognised and lamenting about how mean Microsoft is won't get ? anywhere. It's only for so long ? can blame others.
How wide would the adoption of Mac OS X be without bundled sales? Yes, Windows as sold to consumers is largely driven by new PC purchases, but I don't think that is in any way indicative of its success or lack thereof, just of how consumers think of computers.
Competing with 'free' is only hard once the cost is broken out and made visible.
I was personally responsible for the purchase of 3 windows licenses last year, but I didn't use any of them. The Microsoft tax makes it seem as though things are better than they really are, it's only a couple of percent but it does make a difference and I think that percentage would be higher if people had to pay the full list price for their windows licenses.