All Things Microsoft > Microsoft Software
Distrust tax
Aloone_Jonez:
Maybe I was wrong earlier.
The EULA states that the software is separate from the hardware and you are entitled to a refund.
I've done a bit of research on the matter.
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7040
http://www.linux.com/archive/articles/59381
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_refund
I agree in principle, it seems silly to pay for an operating system you don't want and are never going to use.
It's probably worth a try complaining and demanding a refund but I wouldn't bother going to court over it.
I can cope with having to pay for Windows because it might be useful in a VM or to improve WINE compatibility. It's all the other bullshit like MS Works that would annoy me more than anything else. My current PC came with MS Works which was immediately removed and replaced with OpenOffice.org.
EDIT:
I've found a reasonable laptop without any software installed. I don't know how Linux compatible it is because they recommend genuine MS software, unless that's just a statement to discourage piracy.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173882
If you're interested, check out the forum or give them a call.
http://forums.ebuyer.com/showthread.php?t=51208
piratePenguin:
Is dell still selling Ubuntu-loaded computers?
I don't understand why that hasn't exploded to their full range of home computers. Is it early days or was it a flop in the end?
piratePenguin:
random notes:
JooJoo looks sexy.
Google Chromium OS has high potential to change how we use computers imo, in years to come whos to say it wont be profitable for google to GIVE (not even rent) computers away? So that more people will use the web = more google users.
Aloone_Jonez:
I think consumer choice is a factor: most people want Windows pre-installed, believe it or not. Netbooks started to be sold with Linux pre-installed but people wanted Widows and Microsoft was happy to sell it as a reduced price for installing on low-spec. hardware.
The trouble is, there are plenty of plenty of people who want to buy computers without an operating system so they can install their own whether it be Linux, BSD or the Windows version of their choice.
I don't know whether Dell still offer a Linux option but it was offered on their low-end machines if I remember correctly so maybe it wasn't very popular?
The should offer the same machine with whatever OS the consumer wants, with the software they want, even if the majority of people choose Windows and MS Office.
I do agree that Microsoft has put unfair pressure on hardware manufacturers not to sell computers without an operating system, even though I agree that doing so would increase piracy. I don't think that buying a computer should also mean that you have to buy certain software. I think manufactures should ship with OpenOffice.org rather than MS Works more, I know that this is already done, my local computer shop already does this.
Maybe Google could give away refurbished PCs with their operating system pre-installed?
I don't think renting is a sane option because the cost of support could prove probative. Can you seriously imagine renting a PC to people who are clueless?
Lead Head:
It has been profitable in the past to "give" new computers away, but it usually entails locking the person in some kind of deal, like they have to keep the computer for X years and have to use the ISP that the company that sold them the computer told them to use. Obviously that ISP gave them kickbacks, which allowed them to give away the computers. I believe these PCs came pre-loaded with a ton of junk too, more so then your average Dell or HP.
My only issue with Chrome OS as far as I can tell, is that it is completely dependent on having a fast internet connection, and well is dependent on being connected to the internet in the first place - which would not work for me.
Apparently these Dell systems are the only ones that you can get Ubuntu with. http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs Although I had to do quite a bit of digging to find them.
Edit: What the hell, if I go to the Dell main site, click Studio XPS 13, there is no option at all for Ubuntu. For Ubuntu to be available on the XPS 13, I seem to have to go through that special Ubuntu portal. Hilariously enough, it says "Dell Recommends Windows 7" on the Ubuntu page too.
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