Windows pricing begins to buckle

The register reports today that MSFT would be coming out with a starter version of O/S which would be capable of running 3 applications.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/11/windows_xp_starter_edition/

It reports -

"Is three applications a hindrance? If one is a combined mail client and browser, another an IM application, and the third a music player, then that covers most of what home users do with their PCs most of the time."


I wonder if 3 applications are enough?
Arent we forgetting about the constantly running anti-virus software.

And what abt the IM clients. Most people that I see around use Yahoo messenger and MSN simultanelously.

So what will happen is that softwares like Gaim ( http://gaim.sf.net) will become popular ( yes, not only in GNU/Linux world but even in Windows world) Gaim and other such products are able to integrate multiple IM clinets within themselves.

Conclusion - 3 applications is too limited.

Another phenomena will be that in other markets MSFT might have to offer such deals. So one thing is clear, prices of MSFT softwares can only head in one direction - downwards.