Microsoft Patent Reveals Metered Computing Vision
Posted 12/29/08 at 01:19:55 PM by Paul Lilly
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We've heard of pay-as-you-go cell phones, but can the same concept be applied to PCs? Microsoft thinks it can, who filed a patent application in June 2007 detailing a new PC business model. U.S. patent application 20080319910, published on Christmas Day, outlines how end-users would be charged based on usage time and performance levels in exchange for a free or heavily subsidized PC, in addition to a "one-time charge."
While not a rent-to-own scenario, Microsoft concedes that this business model could result in end users paying more for their PC in the long-run than buying it outright. But that's okay, the Redmond company says, because the result would be a PC with an extended "useful life."
"A computer with scalable performance level components and selectable software and service options has a user interface that allows individual performance levels to be selected," the patent application reads. "The scalable performance level components may include a processor, memory, graphics controller, etc. Software and services may include word processing, email, browsing, database access, etc. To support a pay-per-use business model, each selectable item may have a cost associated with it, allowing a user to pay for the services actually selected and that presumably correspond to the task or tasks being performed."
Microsoft says its proposed business model would allow a more granular approach to both hardware and software sales, rather than forcing PC vendors to try and maximize profits on a one-time sale. To give an example, the company points out a scenario with three bundles of applications and performance, where the Office bundle would cost end users $1 per hour, a Gaming bundle $1.25 per hour, and a browsing bundle $0.80 per hour. Alternately, a specific bundle could incur a one-time charge instead of usage-based billing.
Is Microsoft on to something, or on something with its metered computing vision? Hit the jump and post your thoughts.
Shrinking market plus tanking economy = .......
Submitted by bcweir on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 9:44am
......fewer people to gouge $400 for an operating system. Microsoft is obviously reaching for ANYTHING to shake down consumers for their very LAST dime.
Anybody remember the divx movie rental scheme the video stores came up with YEARS AGO where the DVD's would self-destruct within 48 hours of viewing the movie? I don't need to tell you how well that went over with consumers.
You'd have to be out of your mind (or Steve Ballmer) to come up with an idea like this. I'd like to hope that Bill Gates isn't this stupid.
Submitted by rayatwork05 on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 4:46am
interesting, most people commenting dont understandthis is an option for businesses primarily though, and not mandated.
though it doesnt make sense, cause i'd use up 300 hours in 1 month, and why would i pay 12 times that annually? lol. in a work environment, figure it would only be 40 hours a month so in some cases it may actually be beneficial depending on how computer intensive a job it is. im assuming there metering actual use, and not just the PC being on.
how can patent a business model? is b2c and b2b patented? im confuzzled.
Submitted by BarneyBadass on Sat, 05/02/2009 - 7:06am
Of course it's an option...
If M$ tries to cram this down folks throats; I'm certain we'll see a mass defection to (pick a variant) of "Linux".
Other companies have had such things as
- Monthly Maintenance fees (based on CPU Capacity)
- Capacity on Demand. What, you have a quad / octi / hexi core processor and you would like for some software to use more than one core at a time? Simple; enable "Capacity". Pay for the period of time you want / need for the software to use additional cores.
So if you want / need software service / maintenance for the life of the product; pay for it!
It's not that far fetched.
I'm sure it would be easy to
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 7:15pm
I'm sure it would be easy to format the harddrive and replace the motherboard if it has a bios level software program that controls pay as you go. This way you pay the one time fee I'm sure wont be very much and for a couple hundred dollars you get a cheap motherboard and OS or for even less just use a Linux Disto.
Submitted by swampdaddy on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 7:11pm
Well, if you like the idea of making Billy-Bob Gates the first TRILLIONAIRE on the planet then this is for you.
Remember has last big idea: To put a tax on spam (like a postage stamp); you still get the spam, he gets the dough. LOL. He's full of ideas and pomme de terre.
And, for those of you who haven't figured it out yet: TANSTAAFL (There ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch). next would be the "low-use" surcharge for those that don't spend $100 a month. And any thing else this bum can think of.
others have said it all, I join in, it's a very, very crappy idea.
Swamp Daddy
Submitted by tehR0XX0Rz on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 7:02pm
If Microsoft tries to push this crap into the marketplace, I will switch to Linux.
Seriously, Microsoft better forget this nonsense quickly.
Microsoft >:(
Submitted by WindowsXP on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 6:35pm
If they do this for home computers, and im switching to Ubuntu. No restrictions, no pay-per-use. This is just plain discusting. Dont try it Microsoft, you have already angered your followers.
Submitted by Shalbatana on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 5:48pm
not in my house
leasing didn't look good for cars, it doesn't look good for computers.
_______________________________
"There's no time like the future."
Might work...
Submitted by windbane on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 1:58pm
This could be a great way for internet cafes and the like to get hardware and services, especially non-profit organizations. You could get a PC from a Non-Profit like the Salvation Army say, they provide the PC and a portion of what you pay per hour goes towards the services they provide to the community. But realistically, I don't think this kind of service would get much use, the price of computers are relatively inexpensive these days, with Netbooks at $300 or less for the web surfer types (ie. mom and dad), and the fact that most computer retailers offer financing anyway, seems pointless. But again it would be a great money making opportunity for non-profits or even schools, to make some extra cash.
Oh and to those that say they'll switch to open source or Linux, it won't matter as this type of service could be used by any OS. You could be getting a Google PC, that uses a Google OS with Google Chrome, and Google Apps and that would be all you could get installed on it. Microsoft is patenting a bussines model method, not hardware or software that does this type of thing (though they may). This doesn't mean that you have to buy into this concept, and it won't matter if you already own your own computer, so saying you will switch to another OS if they do this is pointless as it won't affect you anyway. Its just another way of buying a computer, just like all versions of Vista are pretty much the same, but you can pay MS to unlock and "upgrade" to a "better" version of Vista from inside the OS itself.
Submitted by Phated1 on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 2:24pm
Agreed.
Also, for those that keep complaining about MS telling you how to use your computer, it doesnt say that "future MS operating systems will only feature this type of pay-per-use system". Its just an OPTION for the future. Like there could be W7 premium, W7 home basic, and W7 pay-per-use for example
Submitted by habuza on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 1:08pm
Microsoft can kiss my ass. They want to do it? Go right ahead, like mentioned below, piracy will still run rampant, and users like myself will just switch to linux if they try this crap. I don't need any help from microshaft to use my computer.
MS just keeps getting nastier and nastier
Submitted by ghot on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 12:46pm
I want so bad to expound a string of expletives about 5 pages long, right now! MS, lately is becoming a cheap wh*re. I don't care how they make it SOUND...its just another BS scheme to rip the consumer off.
Like mentioned below:
1. Who wants MS making decisions for us...not me lol
2. What wil the next OS model be? Monthly charge for use of an MS OS?
Microsoft.....get your act together and just harden XP's kernel and then leave us alone. Noone likes you anymore. You've destroyed consumer faith in your company and are about to do much worse. It's NOT the consumers fault that you can no longer seem to write a decent OS....its YOUR fault.
Submitted by Phated1 on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 12:19pm
Obviously, for people that use their computers as a big part of their life (such as readers of the magazine) this would be a horrible idea. However, for people like my grandmother (for example) that only ever use their computer to order christmas presents or the odd letter like once a month, this would be PERFECT. Instead of paying 500$ for a computer that she will use like once every 3 weeks for an hour, she can pay 150 and then just pay for whatever service she needed from then on out.
Submitted by ben628 on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 11:57am
And MS is still amazed that people pirate stuff...huh...crap software packages and amazingly flawed pricing ideas....piracy continues...no connection there for sure XD
Hmmm.
Submitted by Cache on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 11:47am
I don't know that I'd be comfortable with someone else telling me how much of my computer I can use. I personally think this is a go-nowhere concept, and it opens up some rather interesting problems:
If a person doesn't pay, does MS take back the computer? What happens to the data on said computer? What about upgrades? Even worse--what happens to a user's data if the machine breaks and MS decides outright to replace it--who pays for the migration of that data?
Most worrisome for me, however, is the idea that MS is not acknowledging a basic, unmovable fact: The PC-- that bright shiny new thing sitting on your desk--is a disposable commodity. This isn't an investment like a house, this is something that you (or that friend you give your old system to) will eventually throw away.Does MSeven have a plan for recycling old computers that no longer meet the needs of its customers? What about simple maintenance like keeping the inside free of dust?
This idea may work for low-end systems, but no gamer is going to pay MS to decide what is good enough to run their systems. And who really wants to go through MS to RMA dead(that will inevitably be charged back to you) computers? This idea only defers full payment on the system for a later time, provided that MS even bothers with maintaining the computers in the first place.
Submitted by Pyrophorics on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 11:46am
So M$ is going to be the new Rent-A-Center? Been there done that, this is nothing new ... just the fact that M$ is doing it and the method of control they are going to employ to get it to work.
Submitted by r3dd4wg on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 11:31am
As long as open source and linux are around, no one is going to buy into that business model.
Submitted by MarioJP on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 11:30am
Don't think this will ever take off. But then again you do have those people that will actually rent stuff like this for those that can't even afford a pc. I would have to agree this is not the way to go to owning a computer. Now since we don't know exactly how this is going to work. Will it eventually become yours as you pay or will it be like you just renting it only. If its just renting only then no. But if its something going towards like a paying it off then maybe.
Otherwise forget it. Pc's are cheap and you can always get a oem pc.
Submitted by MarioJP on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 11:26am
Don't think this will ever take off. But then again you do have those people that will actually rent stuff like this.
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