Microsoft waffles on virtualization; thumbs up on maple syrup

In the cold, unforgiving days of February, we found out that Microsoft had written the end user license agreement (EULA) on the Home Basic and Home Premium versions of Windows Vista to forbid virtualization on other platforms (read: Macs), forcing conscientious Mac users to fork over extra dough for the Business or Ultimate editions.

Last week, news surfaced that Microsoft had been on the cusp of announcing that they would rework the clauses to allow virtualization—unfortunately, that news came to light along with the information that Microsoft had decided not to rework the EULAs.

“Microsoft has reassessed the Windows virtualization policy and decided that we will maintain the original policy announced last Fall,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement provided to Macworld.

Why the back-and-forth? Ars Technica’s Ken Fisher thinks it’s to prevent Apple from using OEM status to bundle Windows with Macs for a nominal fee.

Now imagine Apple running adverts on the TV that say: with a Mac, you can get the best of both worlds by adding Windows Vista to your Mac for $99. “Get a Mac, then add a PC for $99!”

And imagine that users don’t need Boot Camp to use Vista but can legally fire up a VM at any moment. Apple and their “geniuses” would, in fact, happily help you get Vista set up in a VM so the “switch” could be that much more convenient.

A solid point. And so, the situations remains the same as it ever was: those who wants to use Vista in Parallels or VMWare will have to shell out the extra cash (though remember that you can get OEM versions of Vista Business and Ultimate for much cheaper as well).