I spoke with Dell recently and they tell me that they will sell any of their comouters without the Microsoft Tax. This now makes the Dell range very attractive.

My preferred flavour is Mandriva and I am currently using Mandriva 2009.0 PWP

Microsoft’s ability to maintain Windows lock-in for high-end users is weaker now than it has been for many years, despite the XP-giveaways. Just witness the resurgence of the Mac.

Try as it might, Microsoft can’t stem the flood of competition, because the dike is already breached.

If I am developing a piece of software or hardware today that also targets corporate customers, I am going to have to come up with a version that supports the Mac because companies have a certain percentage of Macs that they don’t want excluded. Once my software or hardware works with the Mac, it’s but a small step to also make it work on Ubuntu. XP-giveaways will not stop that. They just make Microsoft look desperate.

The Mac and Linux have gained too much momentum for MS to easily shake them off again using FUD tactics (fear-uncertainty-doubt). I think Gates himself appreciated that the company he co-founded is now past its prime and that took the fun out of it for him, which is why he moved on to other, more worthy causes.