Linux PCs: Customer service or lip service? (ZDNet) [LWN.net]

ZDNet has discovered that the major computer vendors are still not going out of their way to offer desktop Linux systems. "While American consumers are having a hard time finding Window-less PCs, their counterparts in Europe, Asia and Japan have a much easier path. Outside the United States, it's easier to buy a desktop with non-Microsoft operating systems pre-installed. HP's Web store in the Netherlands offered three HP Compaq computers with Windows XP, Suse Linux 9.3 or FreeDOS for the same price. These models retail starting at $806 (669 euros), excluding sales tax."

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If Windows is "free", you'd be daft not to take it!

Posted Nov 2, 2005 18:04 UTC (Wed) by Richard_J_Neill (subscriber, #23093) [Link] (8 responses)

Why would anyone buy a Linux machine if it is the same price as a Windows one? I use Linux exclusively, but I would certainly take a copy of Windows if it were essentially free. After all, the fonts are useful (yes, I know about the corefonts), and it is occasionally useful to run I.E. within QEMU in order to test for bugs-compatibility.

If Windows is "free", you'd be daft not to take it!

Posted Nov 2, 2005 18:50 UTC (Wed) by cortana (subscriber, #24596) [Link] (3 responses)

In theory, Microsoft wouldn't get a cut of a PC sold running SUSE or FreeDos. In practice I am probably just being optimistic, and MS do have contracts with OEMs saying 'you will give us x amount for every PC sold, with or without Windows'.

If Windows is "free", you'd be daft not to take it!

Posted Nov 2, 2005 22:50 UTC (Wed) by ncm (guest, #165) [Link] (2 responses)

If it's really a copy of Windows, you can sell it to a sucker for $50. Otherwise, you can take the vendor to small claims court and get a refund (~$200 + court costs). It's a fairly time consuming way to get a rebate, but it has its satisfactions. Get a local high school kid to do the paperwork for half, and the experience.

If Windows is "free", you'd be daft not to take it!

Posted Nov 3, 2005 10:31 UTC (Thu) by slorba (guest, #17024) [Link] (1 responses)

Well it's oem license so you are not authorized to sell it separate of the hardware.

not exactly

Posted Nov 3, 2005 20:03 UTC (Thu) by niner (guest, #26151) [Link]

At least in Germany and Austria and I assume in the Netherlands, too, it's fully legal to resell OEM versions of software you bought, because your contract is with your dealer (e.g. Dell) and not with Microsoft. So Microsoft can not put any restrictions on you. You bought it, and it belongs to you.

Disclaimer: IANAL

If Windows is "free", you'd be daft not to take it!

Posted Nov 2, 2005 20:53 UTC (Wed) by jstAusr (guest, #27224) [Link] (2 responses)

Then, would you give up your freedom to have lunch with a dictator?

Seems like a high price for a little gee-wiz.

If Windows is "free", you'd be daft not to take it!

Posted Nov 2, 2005 23:10 UTC (Wed) by Richard_J_Neill (subscriber, #23093) [Link] (1 responses)

No, of course not. But if I've already paid MS for it, I may at least have the copy of WormOs that I have paid for! And it does have some uses eg bug-testing with I.E. Then again, I build my computers myself - problem solved!

If Windows is "free", you'd be daft not to take it!

Posted Nov 3, 2005 2:32 UTC (Thu) by jstAusr (guest, #27224) [Link]

Yes, you do pay monopolist tax no matter which OS you select. So, all you have left is your vote, please use it wisely.

If Windows is "free", you'd be daft not to take it!

Posted Nov 3, 2005 18:09 UTC (Thu) by oever (guest, #987) [Link]

If you choose to buy a computer with SusE 9.3, money should go to Novell
instead of Microsoft,
encouraging Linux vendors. You might even get good documentation with it.
This might not appeal to you, but the idea will certainly appeal to
principled free software users and Linux novices.