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> Even before PCs, computers typically shipped with BASIC, which was their operating system of sort.

Sure. In the 80's, all the IBM PC compatibles I dealt with shipped with BASIC in their ROM. But I don't think they charged a licensing fee for it.

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Maybe not, but as I understand it, languages were one of Gates' key bargaining chips in negotiating the terms of the MS/PC-DOS deal that put Microsoft in a position to start licensing to OEM's on a per-CPU basis in the first place.

I'm pretty sure the BASIC that launched from my ROM was not from Microsoft...

It was if it was an IBM machine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_BASIC

Yes, but most people bought IBM Compatibles, not IBM. I don't think I know anyone who bought an actual IBM PC.

Cassette BASIC was exclusive to early IBM PCs, XTs and PC Jrs. PCs like Compaq's, with their very, very compatible BIOS, didn't have BASIC in ROM.

I had an XT. Not IBM. It had BASIC ROM. Everyone I know who had an XT (8088 or 8086) had BASIC in the ROM. None was IBM and all were different companies.

I don't think Compaq even made XTs, did they?

Actually (and I'm being pedantic here, I admit), only IBM made an XT, the others were all XT-clones or compatibles. And you could get a compatible ROM that contained BASIC. I also owned a non-IBM XT clone, which did not have BASIC in ROM.

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