Microsoft: Don't sell PCs without operating systems

[LinuxRocks]

HAHAHA... They are a real piece of work...

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39261437,00.htm

[Aloone_Jonez]

I'm sure this has been discussed before.

This is typical of MS, I might be getting a Laptop at some point and if I do I'll want one with no OS installed so I can install one of my choice.

[H_TeXMeX_H]

This is typical of MS, I might be getting a Laptop at some point and if I do I'll want one with no OS installed so I can install one of my choice.

Is that possible ? What company does that ?

[Orethrius]

Is that possible ? What company does that ?

 Third-party vendors that make as much - if not more - off of bare systems as those with Windows licenses.  That is to say, if they lose their licensor status, they only lose ~ 25% of their business (in more extreme bare-vendor situations).

[mobrien_12]

If you could buy a comp with pre-installed BSD (not counting OSX), or Linux, would you do it?  

I'm not sure... I've gotten used to installing my own, making all the decisions, knowing how everything is set up.

[LinuxRocks]

Well, us techie types would probably reload it, that's for sure, but average people would probably just use it.

Most would not even care whether its Linux or Windows anyway. My Brother just last week got off Windows 98 after it because unusable because of virus and crap. He NEVER updated it and didn't have virus protection and it lasted at least 8 years (Last time I installed it for him before moving).

He didnt have the money to get XP and lost his 98 CD, so I installed Linux and he really doesn't really care; as long as it works. He was amazed at the speed of the machines after the reload. He was going to go buy a new machine and was glad I saved him over a thousand bucks.

This is what most people do, and I believe that is why MS produces crap software; after a while, people will just buy another PC and another license because the computer is running slow.

Most people will be that way; as long as it works and they can do what they want with it, they don't care.

[Annorax]

MS: We're not allowing you to sell OSless PCs anymore
Vendor: Fuck you, I'll do what I want
MS: Fine, no more Windows for you
Vendor: Fine, OSes will go out with every PC I make
Vendor: *preinstalls Ubuntu on every base system going out the door*

[Jack2000]

ha i really feel sorry
for you
here in my country
when you go  to buy
a computer
they just say ....
ok how would you like it
custom configuration or premade configuration
and they even ask you what OS you want
and the best thing is they give OS es free
like pirated versions of Ms's Oses
and linux too
it is like a dream come true

[Refalm]

I've once pre-loaded a PC with BeOS Max for a client who didn't want to pay the extra € 130, - for Windows XP Home.

OEM's over here require loading an operating system too.