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HP Sells Cheap FreeDOS PC in China
Johan writes "HP has started selling a Yuan 3,999 ($483) PC in China. The cool part is that it runs FreeDOS! Not sure why FreeDOS was chosen, but I suspect they expect it to be replaced with Linux or Windows by the user. By not having to pay for Windows, they are able to include better hardware. They probably didn't want the support burden of bundling the PC with a Linux distribution." And while we're on China, Cringely has some prognostication and speculation about IBM's sale of their PC division to a Chinese company.
> They probably didn't want the support burden of bundling the PC with a Linux distribution.
To Johan (the guy who wrote the summary):
Linux is a good kernel, but you're just coming of as overzealous, plain arrogant zealot when you start making excuses on behalf of a corporation you don't speak for, and have no inside knowledge of; simply because they didn't go for your kernel of choice.
Have you considered they might prefer FreeDOS, and deem it the best solution compared with other alternatives such as Linux, irregardless of this "oh, it's only because they don't want to give support, but really they love Linux just like me, someone probably put a gun to their head to make them use FreeDOS, etc, etc" bullshit that is just something out of your head.
Please stop making plain fabricated excuses to defend Linux and try to understand that not everybody thinks Linux is the answer to everything, and even if it was, they can speak for themselves without amateur pseudo-journalists like you making shit up on their behalf.
In case this is not clear: this is not an attack on Linux, it's a criticism of the submitter, who does more harm than good for Linux by spreading his own branded, unique version of FUD.
"I am willing to bet that the average linux user is savy enough to simply build his own PC. Honestly, what linux user can't do this?"
The same one's that can't deal with a spatial browser.
Then again I suppose my G4 iBook counts too. ;-)
That makes sense. Buying a 100% proprietary software AND hardware setup for twice the price makes you happy. Hey, different strokes for different folks, I guess.
I'm a bit crazy. I'd rather have my choice of software AND hardware, and pay significantly less (and I don't call it a "tax", since only governments can levy taxes). I know. I'm nuts.
I don't respond to AC's.