Microsoft Files for Pay-As-You-Go Computing Patent
Companies file patents for all kinds of crazy things, but it’s rare we see something that makes us stop and say to ourselves, “Really, that? Really?”
CNet reports that Microsoft has applied for a patent on pay-as-you-go computing in July of 2007. The application was published last Thursday; and so far Microsoft’s idea of a “metered, pay-as-you-go computing experience,” has left a lot of people bewildered.
Microsoft describes the patent idea briefly in its abstract and then at great length in the application but we’ll try and break it down and leave out the fluff. Basically you’re looking at a computer with scalable performance-level components, selectable software and service options. Users are charged in accordance with what they’re doing and the level of performance those tasks require. Browsing would be pretty cheap, gaming more expensive.
Some people have said this idea is pointless and others say it would be perfect for kiosks or libraries. However it looks like it might actually be the home user Microsoft is targeting after all. The Redmond company describes in the patent application that the current business model for computer hardware and software as an overall failing. Basically, “why buy a super powerful machine if you’re only going use it to its full potential a couple of times a week?”
“The current business model for computer hardware and software relies on a user purchasing a computer with hardware and software that is suited to the most demanding applications that the user expects to encounter. Therefore, a user may buy a multi-core processor with a significant amount of memory and advanced video support for gaming applications that are only used on the weekend, while the user's day-in, day-out activities may involve little more than word processing or web-browsing.”
It’ll be interesting to see what comes of this. Do you think PAYG computing could work in the home or are you of the opinion that anywhere outside of libraries or cafes, this concept is pointless? Let us know in the comments below.

stupid idea.
buy stuff once, use as much as i want = good idea.
Microsoft needs to be stopped, now! They have gone and created an expensive monster of computing as it stands already, and now they aren't satisfied with their $$ billions of profit? Poor Poor Microsoft! AWWW!!!
NOT!
This will totally ruin the Custom PC concept, and kill a lot of ingenuity by edging out all the little shops that contribute so much. Where would the likes of Voodoo PC's, Alienware, Falcon NW, etc.. be if they had to put up with this back in there day?
I'll tell you where, they'd have never left the garage of American ingenuity & entrepreneurship, that's where they'd be.
Stop MS now, this is nutz!
Most EULAs don't allow the kind of renting or sharing this kind of arrangement implies anyway.
Come on, developers! Port all those great games to Linux! No more Microsquishy!
Sounds to me like Xbox live: "You pay your ISP 40$ a month, then give us another $7 just to use it on your Xbox." No I'd rather use it on my PC *no extra charge*. Of course except for MMO's but that makes sense.
Again this is just patents people. Knowing the great amount of ideas Microsoft registered, it is unlikely to occur.
Beside this is not an idea that will work at all, I mean their is alternatives, different OS. If realized and being forced, than a market switch will occur, they are alternative to Microsoft.
My guess, is if it does realize, it will be like many people that rent their water heater, or that thing form Lenovo some time ago 1$ per day (rent a computer (well we all saw how successful that was [/sarcasm])). Nothing more.
I think we all know that over time they'll get some special deal and average joes will still be paying too much for comparatively minimal usage. Only more so.
On the plus side, pushing this out would force more people onto Linux and increase the community's coverage.
i don't get why microsoft gets to patent this though. i thought supercomputers already generated revenue this way. all that is different is that a supercomputer is replaced with Personal Computers because PCs can be networked together into a virtual supercomputer and seti@home and folding@home have demonstrated that.
So how can you patented it.
It's been around for 30+ years