bill
msg:3156738 | 12:30 am on Nov 15, 2006 (gmt 0) |
I had heard of that campaign years ago when people didn't want to pay for pre-installed Windows. You can go to just about any small to mid-size PC vendor on the net today and get a black box with no OS if you choose. The bigger vendors like Dell and HP were tied into pretty restrictive agreements with Microsoft that prevented this I guess. Could this be a sign of a kinder and gentler MS? ;)
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gello
msg:3169181 | 10:41 am on Nov 27, 2006 (gmt 0) |
a good news, at last...
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jchampliaud
msg:3169184 | 10:46 am on Nov 27, 2006 (gmt 0) |
"a good news, at last..." I agree. I think we should have the option to get a refund if we don't agree to MS terms.
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rj87uk
msg:3169228 | 11:37 am on Nov 27, 2006 (gmt 0) |
Im confused a little. How can someone buy a product and then get a refund because he doesn't want something that is apart of the product? Is it not like buying a cake and getting a refund for the icing from the cake maker? :s
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lucianp
msg:3171207 | 9:49 pm on Nov 28, 2006 (gmt 0) |
typicaly for Bill
I get used to it.
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vincevincevince
msg:3174327 | 1:01 am on Dec 1, 2006 (gmt 0) |
I'd like to see this as a more established principle for all PC sales. Perhaps enshrined in law. The best way to formalize this would be to state that operating systems must be optional and separately itemized on all bills, and that they must be itemized at a retail value either offered by the same store or local competitors. Even better would be if, in doing so, retailers were forced to give you a proper installation CD instead of a restore disk.
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webdoctor
msg:3178467 | 10:08 am on Dec 5, 2006 (gmt 0) |
| How can someone buy a product and then get a refund because he doesn't want something that is apart of the product? Is it not like buying a cake and getting a refund for the icing from the cake maker? :s |
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The difference is that the last time I was at the cake shop I could choose whether I wanted icing on my cake during the ordering process :-) You know when you order a new computer you get many choices regarding components - 100GB hard drive standard, upgrade to 200GB for an extra $40 - that kind of thing? What we need to see is a simple checkbox: | I don't need a copy of Windows with my PC - so subtract $109 from the cost |
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I've never seen this offered - have you?
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rj87uk
msg:3178502 | 11:00 am on Dec 5, 2006 (gmt 0) |
| The difference is that the last time I was at the cake shop I could choose whether I wanted icing on my cake during the ordering process :-) |
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Maybe, but why didn't he just buy a base unit with no OS?
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kaled
msg:3178552 | 12:22 pm on Dec 5, 2006 (gmt 0) |
I've heard it said that Microsoft offer a better deal to manufacturers if they install Windows on ALL of their computers. Given Microsoft's track record on bullying, etc., I'm inclined to believe this to be true. Therefore, it is unlikely that the option to buy without Windows is likely to be commonplace anytime soon (unless competition authorities, etc. intervene). Kaled.
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mole
msg:3178564 | 12:56 pm on Dec 5, 2006 (gmt 0) |
> Maybe, but why didn't he just buy a base unit with no OS? 'cos it's a laptop, and Dell don't offer the option of selling a bare laptop with no OS. They do it, though, on other product ranges - e.g. servers which you can buy without OS if you want.
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Philosopher
msg:3178652 | 2:23 pm on Dec 5, 2006 (gmt 0) |
Exactly. The guy didn't have the option to get it without the OS preinstalled and that is the problem. Not sure if they have changed recently, but in the past, the only time you had the option of NOT getting the windows OS preinstalled was on a server.
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webdoctor
msg:3178662 | 2:29 pm on Dec 5, 2006 (gmt 0) |
| Maybe, but why didn't he just buy a base unit with no OS? |
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I've just visited my local Dell website, and clicked on Desktops > Small Business, then Dimension > Basic Productivity and it seems every single system comes with either Windows XP Home or XP Professional. During the customisation process you have the choice of XP Home or paying extra for XP Pro. How about the option of NOT buying Windows? Sorry - this option is not offered. Sounds like you are forced to buy Windows with your new PC.... Time for people to re-read the Sherman Antitrust Act [en.wikipedia.org]?
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