We already have seen how to save money on
computer support costs by getting components, such as CD-RW drives
and Ethernet adapters, bundled with the purchase of a new PC.
It’s basically the same idea with bundled
operating systems.
Besides the product purchase cost savings,
you’ll find numerous computer support-related reasons to
get a business version of Microsoft Windows bundled with the
purchase of a new PC.
Many times the deal is so sweet it pays
to replace the entire PC just to get the bundled discount on the
business version of Microsoft Windows, rather than purchase the
full-packaged, shrink-wrapped product at a retail store.
Guaranteed Compatibility with Microsoft Windows Upgrades
By getting an operating system such as
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional bundled with your new PC
purchase, you won’t worry about whether the hardware works with
the operating system, applications and utility software.
There’s also no need to wonder whether the PC
hardware components have stable device drivers written for your
desired operating system.
The flip side: imagine upgrading to Microsoft
Windows XP Professional a year after your PC purchase and
discovering that you need to first buy new components – such as a
new video card, sound card or tape backup drive.
Supported Configuration with Microsoft Windows Upgrades
When the operating system is preinstalled by
the PC manufacturer, more than likely the company’s technical
support department will assist you in your time of need – such as
when your PC crashes two hours before a key proposal is due!
The converse: Tackle the upgrade on your own
later and you may endure the telephone equivalent of rolled-eyeballs
and shrugged-shoulders indifference.
Time and Cost Savings with Microsoft Windows Upgrades
In case you’ve never had the experience of
doing an operating system upgrade, this sort of project easily can
take a half-day or more. And that’s if everything goes reasonably
smoothly.
So if you upgrade to a business version of
Microsoft Windows later, instead of getting it bundled with your PC
purchase, you may be courting trouble.
Either your internal guru will be stuck on this
frustrating task for several hours, or your computer consultant will
rack up several billable hours.
Or perhaps the worst of both worlds -- your
internal guru gets stumped on the upgrade for several days. Then you
finally call in the expensive computer consultant to bail out
the internal guru.
Avoid these headaches from the start by having the business version
of Microsoft Windows factory installed.
Microsoft Windows Upgrades Action Items
When purchasing desktop PCs and notebooks
from your preferred vendor, are you given the option to upgrade from
the included consumer version of Microsoft Windows to a more
reliable, secure business version of the operating system?
Have you received a quote for upgrading to
a business version of Microsoft Windows at the time of PC purchase?
Have you compared this price quote to the
retail price of purchasing the full packaged, shrink-wrapped
business version of Microsoft Windows?
Are you considering upgrading the operating
system on any of your desktop PCs or notebooks from a consumer
version of Microsoft Windows to a business version?
If so, are these desktop PCs or notebooks relatively new? Or are
they older -- where it may be more cost-effective to replace the PCs
with newer systems that include a bundled, business version of
Microsoft Windows?
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