Re: Comparing Linux to Windows (possible flame, hopefully not...)

From: Synchrodude (me_at_here.com)
Date: 12/14/03 

Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2003 23:14:46 -0800

Kevin Nathan wrote:

> On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 22:24:20 -0800
> Synchrodude <me@here.com> wrote:
>
>> I still don't understand why companies can still get away with
>> saying they can't sell their computers without windows installed.
>
> It's simple: they've signed a contract with M$ wherein they pay M$ a
> standard OS fee for every computer they sell, even if they don't put
> it on. I asked them to take it off, or not include it, but they said
> they'd have to charge me for the service time to remove it.
>
> That's the first time in quite a few years that I've bought a machine
> pre-installed with Windows (I usually build my own) and it was my
> first laptop. It hurt to pay the M$ tax, but at the time I could not
> get an equivalent laptop for anywhere *near* the $750 this one cost.
> Oh, well . . . :-)
>
>

That's funny service time to remove it. For a brand new computer that has no
OS to begin with. Oh I forgot they don't want to have to change their way
of thinking so its easier for them to sell stuff that is already configured
for windows.
750??? I guess that is a pretty good price for a laptop especially if all
components work with Linux. I still think it's crap that we (the end user
of systems) have to pay for something that we don't want. I've only bought
2 laptops and it was before my linux days but from now on that is all i'm
even thinking about buying is Linux systems. The only down side to doing
this is that I may miss out on some "good deals" (depending on what kind of
good deals we are talking about) but is paying 100 to 200 dollars more for
something that will work with the OS that I plan on using worth it? Plus
doing so helps ensure that it will be 100% compatible with Linux instead of
50/50 shot in the dark and to some late nights trying different drivers
until you find the right one or one that is close enough to work.
I also build my own systems because it is not worth the head ache that comes
with prebuilt systems, most of the time, and I know that while I'm shopping
that I need components that are compatable with Linux. And usually most of
the deals going do not meet my expectations 100% so I usually end up
changing what ever deal that is going on and results in a higher amount
anyways so I might as well build something I want to begin with :)

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Laptop Question
    ... > linux user, so I would like to buy a linux friendly laptop. ... I need Windows for my college application. ... It is not really a problem, the restore partition is an image of a completed proper windows install, with all drivers and devices configured to work properly in the default configuration. ...
    (alt.linux)
  • Subject: converting user to linux
    ... i see this as an oppertunity to convert her to Linux on her Sony VAIO ... she bought me a licensed copy of windows xp pro last year. ... could install it on her laptop. ...
    (Fedora)
  • Re: Replacing Windows with Linux
    ... > I have a laptop Toshiba Satellite 4090 XDVD with Windows XP installed. ... incase the Linux installation should fail. ...
    (alt.os.linux.suse)
  • Re: Almost Impossible To Sell A Pre_loaded Linux Desktop Computer
    ... We also sell refurbished units that we purchase ... > we are able to legally install Windows on these machines although we ... I dual boot Linux and Windows... ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • Re: Almost Impossible To Sell A Pre_loaded Linux Desktop Computer
    ... We also sell refurbished units that we purchase ... > we are able to legally install Windows on these machines although we ... I dual boot Linux and Windows... ...
    (alt.os.linux.suse)