FutureWire - futurism and emerging technology

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Pay-By-The-Hour Computer Financing

Microsoft wants you to own a computer.  So much, in fact, that it is willing to let you pay for one by the hour.

Through its FlexGo plan, consumers can pay for half of a PC up front, then pay for usage by the hour.  After several hundred hours, the consumer owns the PC.  Such a plan allows consumers -- particularly those in developing countries -- to tailor their payments to what they can afford at the moment.

Such pay-as-you-go plans are becoming more prevalent as a way to make technology more affordable, much as easy credit did in the early 20th century... but hopefully without overwhelming consumers with debt.

Source:  Springwise