I don't quite agree with this. The cost to the individual consumer probably would be no different. I don't think MS feels threatened at all on the individual sale. Linux offers better competition on the bigger deals, to corporations and governments. And even when it does, I (personally) don't believe MS lowers its price based on TCO -- rather it's the licensing costs that make Linux more competitive. TCO varies too widely in Linux shops, I feel, to make a consistent and compelling argument in its favor. Some shops can get by with supporting Debian themselves -- some need that RedHat or Suse support contract.

you insensitive clod!