Posted by
timothy
on from the on-again-off-again-baker's-man dept.
Zed writes "Showing a distancing of itself from Microsoft, Dell now offers businesses a chance to purchase computers without a Windows operating system. The N-Series computers start at $319 from Dell's website and ship with a FreeDOS CD in the box."
I think they are trying to avoid parts of their OEM agreement with Microsoft that bars them from shipping PCs without and OS, and FreeDOS is more neutral than picking a linux distro to ship with it.
Why not Linux
by
Morosoph
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· Score: 5, Insightful
Why FreeDos Opposed to Linux?
Simple. Every linux distibution is readily available, and attracts zealots. Why offend them thorugh favouritism?
Re:Why not Linux
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 5, Insightful
I think the answer may be even simpler than that.
In one word, "Support"
It's a lot easier (i.e. cheaper) to support FreeDOS than linux. You are still free to wipe the drive and install your OS of choice....I'm pretty sure that's what they expect you to do anyway....but this way, Dell doesn't get stuck supporting anything more complicated than FreeDOS on it's low end PC's.
Re:Yes but...
by
InodoroPereyra
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· Score: 5, Insightful
Yes but what can you honestly do with FreeDOS?
Not much, but it doesn't really matter. Dell is sending a message to Redmond, wait a couple weeks until they get a new deal with M$... everyone is doing this very same little trick these days, and I guess freedos is easier to support than linux for Dell while the negotiations take place...
Avoids double dipping
by
etymxris
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· Score: 5, Insightful
I believe the point has been mentioned before in similar threads, but it bears repeating here.
Many businesses already have licenses for all the software that they run--either a seat for every user or a site-wide license. For such businesses, a PC that comes with Windows is just wasted money. It would make sense to try to wrestle a discount from Microsoft when such a situation occurs, but monopolies are not often sympathetic to such things.
Re:Is this new?
by
JPriest
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· Score: 5, Insightful
And were are not without/. saying Dell is trying to "distancing of itself from Microsoft". Myabe Dell is only one small step away from throwing down the windows flag and offering only Linux as an option? No, I don't think that is it. I think someone is just spouting off at the mouth. Zealots are blinded by the way they want things to be, not the way things are.
-- Saying Java is nice because it works on all OS's is like saying that anal sex is nice because it works on all genders.
Re:IMO, This is great
by
Pharmboy
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· Score: 5, Insightful
Someone give him a point for the good, relevent article. One quote did bother me tho...
N-series PCs will cost the same as PCs that ship with Windows, a Dell representative said.
Which means they are technically charging you MORE for the computer, since they do not incur the cost of the Microsoft license. Or you can look at is as: "We charge you the same for FreeDOS as we do for Windows", which is kinda expensive for FreeDOS (I have installed it, its a mediocre DOS 3.3 clone by their own admission).
This does mean bigger profits for Dell, but it doesn't represent a better value for customers.
Slashdot Mirror
I think they are trying to avoid parts of their OEM agreement with Microsoft that bars them from shipping PCs without and OS, and FreeDOS is more neutral than picking a linux distro to ship with it.
Wikileaks, no DNS
Not much, but it doesn't really matter. Dell is sending a message to Redmond, wait a couple weeks until they get a new deal with M$ ... everyone is doing this very same little trick these days, and I guess freedos is easier to support than linux for Dell while the negotiations take place ...
I believe the point has been mentioned before in similar threads, but it bears repeating here.
Many businesses already have licenses for all the software that they run--either a seat for every user or a site-wide license. For such businesses, a PC that comes with Windows is just wasted money. It would make sense to try to wrestle a discount from Microsoft when such a situation occurs, but monopolies are not often sympathetic to such things.
And were are not without /. saying Dell is trying to "distancing of itself from Microsoft". Myabe Dell is only one small step away from throwing down the windows flag and offering only Linux as an option? No, I don't think that is it. I think someone is just spouting off at the mouth. Zealots are blinded by the way they want things to be, not the way things are.
Saying Java is nice because it works on all OS's is like saying that anal sex is nice because it works on all genders.
Someone give him a point for the good, relevent article. One quote did bother me tho...
N-series PCs will cost the same as PCs that ship with Windows, a Dell representative said.
Which means they are technically charging you MORE for the computer, since they do not incur the cost of the Microsoft license. Or you can look at is as: "We charge you the same for FreeDOS as we do for Windows", which is kinda expensive for FreeDOS (I have installed it, its a mediocre DOS 3.3 clone by their own admission).
This does mean bigger profits for Dell, but it doesn't represent a better value for customers.
Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!