Slashdot Mirror
Dell Offering "Open" PC
Sans writes "Dell began offering a new desktop Dimension E510n PC this week with no operating system installed. The machine is designed for people who want to run open-source software such as Linux instead of Windows. The PC comes with a blank hard drive and a copy of the FreeDOS operating system, which can be installed by customers."
I've bought 3 desktop PCs from dell in the last year that came without an OS, and with a FreeDOS cd in the box. So, how does this announcement qualify as news?
This post will enter the public domain 70 years after my death, unless Disney buys another extension.
"Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features. aspx/featured_desktop2?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
$679
After $50 Off Instantly!
Only an 80GB HD, but there's the bonus of a 17" LCD..
Let alone the *horrible* support that comes with the Dell consumer line.
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.a spx/precn_n?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
Took less than 5 minutes of looking. Hit *customize* and make it your dream machine.
-everphilski-
Part of it would depend on how you acquired your seat of Windows. Remember that most copies are OEM, and would be tied to the hardware they shipped on. In that case, you _would_ have to buy that seat of XP if you wanted to run it on the new box.
Office etc are all the same when buying OEM. We just had a burglary a few months back, and had to repurchase Office (covered, so not a big thing,) because the CDs I had were OEM tied to the hardware that was no longer in my possession.
If you bought a brand name computer, you're out of luck if you want to install the copy of xp on another machine. The OEM licensing says that copy of XP is only valid for that individual pc. I tried using a copy of XP that came with a Dell on an HP computer. I had to call micrsoft for validation. They asked why I needed xp re-activated and I said I was moving it to my new PC. I was told that I could only use that copy on the Dell and that I must purchase a new copy for the new computer. I told the rep I'd install Linux instead, and I did ; ).
The moral of the story: If you want to use an OEM copy of XP on another computer. lie.
I would have bought this earlier this year, as it stands I bought a Dimension 3.2G box for less than 500$. I DID NOT want to buy a machine with XP already installed on it, but get this; it was 80$ CHEAPER to buy the same machine with Windows than a 'naked' machine with a freeDOS option! I guess it's supply and demand, but it still irks the hell outta me that I paid the MS 'tax' and continued the 'look at home many ppl buy machines with XP installed!' FUD. Can these "Open" machines compete in price with Dell's (constantly) adverstised special? If not, I can't see too many ppl paying more for a machine with no OS vs a cheaper machine with XP (That I immediately installed over - no, I didn't look into the 'rebate' - sounds like it's a hassle anyway).
fak3r.com
They do - in a way.
Yellow Dog Linux is an Apple "Value Added Reseller". From their website:
A Unique Apple Reseller
Terra Soft, an Apple Authorized OEM VAR (Value Added Reseller) is granted a unique license to install Yellow Dog Linux on Apple computers and maintain full Apple hardware warranty for home, commercial, education, and government customers.
If that isn't approval by Apple, I don't know what is.
I tried every decent and legal way I could think of to resolve the issue w/the business before I rented the chicken suit
Seems like the grandparent is suffering from Mac-envy.
I am TheRaven on Soylent News