Did Microsoft engage in "bait and switch"

[Pecos]

"Newegg doesn't have the resources to fully list the features and
considerations of the different versions"
Yes they do.
They have direct private sources at Microsoft as well at the vast
information publically available at microsoft.com as well as other
sources.
Or do you mean NewEgg chooses not to list or make available information on
the products they sell?
If that is the case, find a willing seller.

If they can not locate the information on what they sell, they should not
sell what they can not adequately identify.
Find a seller that knows the products they sell if NewEgg is not up to
that simple task..

What I am suggesting, though I really don't know for sure, is that Newegg
doesn't have the bodies to document the 42 different features that
differentiate the features version of Vista. Nor, I doubt, do they want to
get into the knotty issues involving the EULA's. Any smart seller would
stay well clear of this area.

If the vast resources of Microsoft has a table showing the detailed
comparison of the different features of the versions of Vista, please post
the link here. I would like to see it.

Much of what you write has some degree of truth but it seems designed to
make the simple complicated.
"I broke the 21 versions into three basic categories:" "The Bit Version
(2)"
For example no one needs to make a choice concerning 32 or 64 bit where
retail is concerned since both are included, Ultimate has both DVDs while
the other three can order 64 bit DVD.

No need to make a choice

Except for the non-OEM version of Ultimate, the Upgrade and Full retail
package versions still require a choice.

Do I have a 64 bit processor?
Do I need the 64 bit version?
Should I appy for the 64 bit version?
Do I want to spend the money for the 64 bit version?
Do I want to really want to wipe out my 32 bit version and install the 64
bit version? (The EULA requires this)
Do I really want to spend the time and money if it won't work with my
software/hardware?

I suggest that if Microsoft wanted to make things simple, they coud have
simply provided both the 32 and 64 bit versions in all retail Vista
versions. No further purchase choices needed.

"Then there is the device limitation"
Those that need to look carefully here are not typical and probably
already know far more than the average since they have several computers.
Again, simple to the point of being a nonexistent issue for most.

Simple if they are blissfully ignorant that the device restriction even
exists. So what happens to the person who adds a flash card reader to their
computer and unbeknownst to them, it happens to be the sixth device that
falls under the EULA device limitation of their copy of Vista Home Basic?
Will Vista stop working? Will Vista inform the user that they are no longer
in compliance with the EULA? Will Vista go into 'reduced functionality
mode'? Will Vista phone home and report that user to Microsoft?

And while we are at it perhaps you can also explain whether a quad core
processor qualifies as compliant under the EULA(s) for all versions of Vista
since those EULA's stipulate that up to two processors can be run at any
given time.

"The bit version can be a little bit tricky though."
Yes, the simple can also be made "tricky".
That is one reason why 64 bit is not included in the three versions, most
of those do not need 64 bit and confusion it may add.
Ultimate is intended for the more knowledgeable so they can also make an
informed choice.
A simple choice of one for most.

You don't address the many new computer buyers who *do* have to make a
choice. For everyone else who purchases the versions of Vista that come
with the 32 bit DVD with the option for purchasing the 64 bit DVD, I
personally think they would be wise to spend the money and get the 64 bit
DVD. It helps to future-proof their investment in Vista.

For the most part, users do not buy at online sales sources unless they
are somewhat informed to begin with.

I don't know what buying online has to do with 'being informed'. The only
insight that one can gain from that is that they have been informed that
online stores exist where one can often get retail products for less.

The less informed will buy at a brick and mortar store such as Staples or
Wal-Mart.
For them there are 8 choices, the 4 versions and a choice of full or
upgrade.
Other options are for more informed buyers since a little more knowledge
may be needed.
What the salesperson does with that lack of information is a reflection on
the salesperson and the company.
While even more will not buy Vista until the need for a new computer.

Well this part is easy to understand. The uninformed masses will rely on a
salesperson to help them make a decision. Then when they get home and find
that because they didn't do their homework, one or more of their pet
applications fails to work in Vista and/or one of their expensive devices
won't work properly or at all.

Then some ot them will come to this forum as a last resort desperate for
help from the 'gurus' here. They might get some real helpful advice. But
for the ones where there is simple compatibility issues, they will be told
that they are foolish for not doing their homework up-front and basically
they deserve what they get for being uninformed.

I went into my local box store after reading your reply to get some real
world experience. I was somewhat surprised what I found.

I didn't see Vista on the shelves. All I saw was a copy of Windows XP Home.
I decided to ask a clerk if they had Vista. The clerk was very friendly and
computer literate. The very first thing he asked me was "Are you sure that
you really want that?"

He showed me their copies of Vista. They were locked up behind glass. They
had the Home Basic, Home Premium and Ultimate Upgrade versions. He also
told me that he had a few people return Vista because of incompatibity
issues. This I surmised was the reason for his first question to me.

So for the "less informed", they may not get the right package version and
be unhappy or get Vista and find out when they get it installed that their
investment in software has been lost and these people will also be unhappy.
An informed buyer may not be a happy buyer, but when he does make his
purchase, he/she is far more likely to *not* be an unhappy buyer. I would
think that Microsoft wants their customers to be happy customers, don't you?

For the most part, you have taken steps that seem to make the simple look
complicated.
The most basic users will buy a new computer with the current operating
system available.
This group often has no previous knowledge.
Another group will upgrade by purchasing at a brick an mortar store where
there are few choices.
his group already has some knowledge since they are upgrading an existing
computer.
the next may venture online and/or OEM.
They probably have more knowledge still since since they have expanded
their sources.

The choices available become more visible and available as experience
increases.
Someone with zero computer experience is unlikely to build from scratch
and be faced with the myriad choices of hardware, software and operating
systems, they will simply go purchase a computer probably complete with a
printer and maybe a few other items.
The more knowledgeable will face more options as experience allows and
make an informed choice accordingly.

Even those who are simply buying a new computer will have to make a choice
between 32 bit and 64 bit and what features version of Vista they want. If
they are led by the hand to the Premium version by the salesperson or by
default, they always have the option to upgrade online using the Anytime
Upgrade - don't they? ;-) What they may not realize is that it is always
less expensive to choose and purchase the right version of Vista in the
first place.

For that reason alone making an informed decision up-front is important.

The issues of which bit version and which features version still applies.
All three of the EULA's should still be read prior to their purchase so that
they understand the differences between the limitations of the different
versions of Vista. If what I am recommending is making the simple
complicated, then so be it.

Quite regularly people complain that Microsoft is to controlling and yet
some want Microsoft to restrict peoples choices and give people less
control over what they purchase.
It seems no matter which way Microsoft goes, some will complain.
I for one like the many options Microsoft makes available some of which
have probably been forced on Microsoft.such at the N versions of Vista.

And if someone like me comes along trying to help inform them, he will be
told that he is just making things too complicated for the masses and that
the buying decision process is really quite simple after all.

As per usual, any discussion of the EULA's provided here are only my
interpretation which may or may not be correct. Please carefully read all
of the EULA's yourself.

Alan Norton
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