Bundling networking technology is fair to consumers because ...  It is fair to the vast majority of consumers.   Two products cost more to produce/manage than one.  There will be cost involved in producing a separate product without network technologies, or selling networking as an add-on.  This increased cost would have to be paid by some group of consumers.   Also, we are not far from the day when home networks are commonplace.  Most IT people I know now have at least two PCs networked at home.  More and more average users are asking me how to connect two home PCs for gaming or Web surfing.  With Windows, consumers can pretty much buy two PCs with NIC's (network Cards) connect them with a cable and have a home network.  (SIMPLICITY SIMPLICITY SIMPLICITY)  You are talking about $25 on a $100 purchase (I'm rounding).  The vast majority of consumers will find this insignificant.   I know I did informal poll at a client site.  The people I know who rant about the price tend to borrow a copy from work.  (I discourage this!)  Thanks for your time.