__/ [ JPB ] on Sunday 23 July 2006 14:14 \__
> playing around with online configurators, counting the cost of non-free
> software... and this is just for a basic system/Office/security software,
> before any other additional third-party software ...
>
> The configuration chosen was a typical kind of setup I might choose for a
> replacement computer, where I'm assuming that some components can be
> re-used from the retired computer, such as monitor, keyboard, mouse,
> perhaps second CD-RW and second hard-drive, speakers, that sort of thing.
>
> Of course not (legally) possible to transfer an existing Windows OEM
> installation anymore, so if you want for example XP it's a case of buying
> it again already, every time. No problem if you were already using Linux,
> e.g. Kubuntu/Ubuntu, just re-use your install CD or download the current
> version for free!
>
> http://www.vantagecomputers.co.uk/build.php
>
> System Overview
> System Case: Vantage Inspire Midi Case (4 Bay)
> Power Supply: 400W PSU
> Motherboard: Asrock K8NF4G-SATA2 Motherboard (Skt 754)
> Processor: AMD Sempron 64-Bit 2800+ (Skt 754)
> System Memory: 1Gb DDR400 PC3200 Memory (1x 1Gb)
> Hard Drive One: 160Gb Serial ATA300 7200RPM
> CD Device One: DVDRW Drive (16x +/- Dual Layer)
> Video Card: NVidia 6100 Graphics Up to 128Mb Integrated
> System Warranty: Ad-Vantage 5 Years Return to Base Warranty
> Additional Support Services: No Software Support Reqd - Hardware Support
> 9am-5pm
> Build Services: Standard 7 to 10 Working Day Build
>
> TOTAL (ex.VAT): £247.57 (inc VAT): £290.90
>
> Add (K)Ubuntu £0.00 download or from shipit (priceless!)
> Software license costs 0% of total, 0% markup on base hardware price
> 17.50% of £0.00 = £0.00 additional VAT
>
> Alternatively, add:
> Operating System: Windows XP Home SP/2 - OEM £56.22
> Office Software: Microsoft Office 2003 Basic (OEM) £114.96
> AntiVirus Software: Norton AntiVirus 2006 (OEM 1 Year Sub) £16.61
> 17.50% of £187.79 = £32.86 additional VAT
>
> TOTAL (ex.VAT): £435.36 (inc VAT) £511.55
> Software license costs 43% of total, 76% markup on base hardware price
>
> Alternatively, add:
> Operating System: Windows Media Centre 2005 & Remote - OEM £87.17
> Office Software: Microsoft Office 2003 Professional (OEM) $183.36
> AntiVirus Software: Norton Internet Security 2006 (OEM - 1 Year Sub) £20.24
> 17.5% of £290.77 = £50.88 additional VAT
>
> TOTAL (ex.VAT): £538.34 (inc VAT) £632.55
> Software license costs 54% of total, 118% markup on base hardware price
>
>
> http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/index.php?page=pcsystembuilder
>
> CPU: AMD® SEMPRON® 64BIT 2800 + 1600MHz HTT/256K (754 pin)
> Memory: 1024 MB CORSAIR DDR400 PC3200 - LIFETIME WARRANTY!
> Motherboard: FOXCONN 6100K8MB: NFORCE 6100 CHIPSET, x16 slot, SATA, 3 PCI
> USB Options: SIX USB 2.0 PORTS (4 REAR + 2 FRONT)
> Hard Drive: SATA II 160 GB HARD DISK @ 7200rpm 8mb cache
> DVD ROM/Combi Drive: 16x +/- DVD WRITER (8x +/- Dual Lyr) (Lightscribe)
> (40x CD-RW) (£23)
> Graphics Card: INTEGRATED 128MB GEFORCE 6100 PCI Express (SMA)
> Sound Card: HIGH END ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL SOUND (RECOMMENDED)
> Network Facilities: 10/100 NETWORK CARD FOR BROADBAND - AS STANDARD
> Floppy Drive/Card Reader: 1.44MB FLOPPY DISK DRIVE
> Case: Stylish Silver/Black Sigma case + 2 front USB
> Power Supply & Cooling: Standard 350W PSU + 80mm Fan (See Case Info)
> Warranty: 1 Year Return-to-Base Warranty + 1 Month Free Collect & Return
>
> Total (ex.VAT): £257.87 (inc VAT) £303.00
>
> Add (K)Ubuntu £0.00 download or from shipit (priceless!)
> Software license costs 0% of total, 0% markup on base hardware price
> 17.50% of £0.00 = £0.00 additional VAT
>
> Alternatively, add:
> Operating System required: MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® XP HOME (inc. Genuine CD &
> licence) (£59)
> Anti-Virus: NORTON ANTI-VIRUS 2006 (£19)
> Office Software: MICROSOFT OFFICE 2003 BASIC (WORD, EXCEL, OUTLOOK) (£127)
> (note the prices listed in the drop-down don't exactly seem to add up to
> the final quote!)
>
> Total (ex.VAT): £447.66 (inc VAT): £526.00
> Software license costs 42% of total, 74% markup on base hardware price
> 17.50% of £189.79 = £33.21 additional VAT
>
> Alternatively, add:
> Operating System required: MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® MCE 2005 (inc. Remote, CD &
> licence) (£96)
> Anti-Virus: NORTON ANTI-VIRUS 2006 (£19)
> Office Software: MICROSOFT OFFICE 2003 PRO (£210)
> (again listed prices don't quite add up to final quote!)
>
> Total (ex.VAT): £556.60 (inc VAT): £654.01
> Software license costs 54% of total, 116% markup on base hardware price
> 17.50% of £298.73 = £52.28 additional VAT
Another recent example:
,----[ Quote ]
| For the purposes of this exercise, I assumed I'd get the system
| builder's discount (i.e., OEM software). I also assumed that I would wan
| to be able to use Office software that had roughly as many functions
| OpenOffice and a graphics programme to use in place of GIMP. To make
| matters absolutely fair, I opted for Corel?s Paint Shop Pro rather than
| say, Adobe Photoshop for the comparison.
|
| The costs are as follows:
|
| Windows XP Professional OEM - GBP98.08
| Microsoft Office (Small Business Edition) OEM - GBP157.74
| Paint Shop Pro - GBP67.85
|
| This yields a grand total of GBP323.67. In one fell swoop, I doubled the
| cost of the PC.
`----
http://www.linuxextremist.com/?p=47
Less is more. More for less.
|
|
