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HP Sells Cheap FreeDOS PC in China

Posted by michael on from the nuts-and-bolts dept.

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.

6 of 241 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Uh by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's about 3/4ths of a year's wages at the Ohio Arts Etch-a-Sketch factory....

    --
    SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
  2. Re:Maybe they did prefer FreeDOS by Neil+Blender · · Score: 2, Funny

    >> They probably didn't want the support burden of bundling the PC with a Linux distribution.

    > Have you considered they might prefer FreeDOS, and deem it the best solution compared with other alternatives such as Linux,

    Uh, no, you are both wrong. They were just tired of hearing all the rinux jokes.

  3. Let me get it out of the way... by Mr.+Bad+Example · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sure, you can install Windows or Linux on these...but an hour later, you'll just have to reinstall.

  4. Re:HP assumes PC will get pirated Win-XP? by maniac_inside · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well I am reminded of a recent surevey by Gartner

    "80% of all PC's shipped with Linux are made to run pirated versions of Windows XP"

    Anyway a recent undisclosed survey has found

    "100% of all PC's shipped with FREEDOS are made to run pirated versions of Windows XP"

  5. Re:I'm not sure, but here... by evilviper · · Score: 2, Funny
    HP is probably targeting the city folks who are making a bit more.

    You should really try reading the articles... I promise your eyes *won't* start bleeding, or fall out of your skull.
    --
    Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
  6. Re:Free from the MS Tax - Nice by Neph · · Score: 2, Funny
    ... I get that warm fuzzy feeling. Then again I suppose my G4 iBook counts too. ;-)

    iBook? Warm feeling? That's your scrotum burning!