Pay As You Go PCs

We’re not too sure if this is a new idea or just good-ol’-fashioned leasing but anyway Microsoft and Lenovo have teamed up to offer pay as you go PC use.

Users pay for half the price of the PC then buy top-up cards that give users access to the computer services. Digital Lifestyles says:

The FlexGo machines use a fully-fledged version of Windows XP that comes with a timer counting down the hours in the upper right-hand corner of the PC screen. As the timer runs down, the PC delivers a series of alerts before limiting access to programs and features, and ultimately ceasing to work altogether until more time is purchased (by prepaid card or online).

Anyone who’s had a Pay-As-You-Go will understand the concept fine. Expect to hear the following excuses: “Did you send me an email? Oh sorry, I forgot to top up my computer account.”

Microsoft Launch Pay-As-You-Go PCs – Digital-Lifestyles.info: