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How to get a Refund on Your Unwanted Windows

Posted by Zonk on from the breaking-the-window-and-climbing-out dept.

lisah writes "Serge Wroclawski recently contacted Dell to request a refund on the unwanted copy of Windows XP that came pre-installed on his computer. Somewhat surprisingly, Dell complied. Wroclawski admits that the $52.50 refund was more of a victory in principal than anything else, but it was a success nonetheless. Using his tips and techniques readers can try their hand at getting a refund of their own. Wroclawski cautions that you should be prepared for a long haul: the process could take hours." Linux.com and Slashdot are both owned by OSTG.

7 of 409 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Dumbass by Akaihiryuu · · Score: 4, Informative

    With desktops this is a no-brainer...just build your own and don't buy Windows. At the current time however, there really isn't any way to build your own laptop...you have to buy a prebuilt one from a manufacturer, most of which are going to include Windows. TFA was about someone getting a Windows refund for a laptop.

  2. Discussed Before by Daemonstar · · Score: 3, Informative

    I think we've discussed this before here. It's not the same person, but it's pretty much the same story (the other one involves a laptop from Dell). One difference is that it looks like the other guy got more of a refund ($89).

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  3. Re:Save some time and money by Penguinisto · · Score: 4, Informative
    Depends on what model and type you're talking about for Dell's wares. All Dell Servers and most business desktops usually have a "No OS" option (we've ordered most of ours that way), and the servers do have an option for RHEL pre-installed + RHEL subscription IIRC. They even have dedicated Linux guys at the help desk (which you always seem to have to go through even if you're just wanting to replace a bum hard drive... urgh).

    /P

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  4. The sad thing is... by vhogemann · · Score: 4, Informative

    I bought my current notebook, an Acer Travelmate 2420, with Windows XP pre-installed...

    I really tried to find a notebook with Linux pre-instaled, or at least without Windows. And to my surprise, the cheaper ones are those shipping with Windows!

    Mind you that I live at Brazil, and import taxes and such may distort the prices a little... But the shocking truth is, at least here, if you want a notebook without Windows, you have to pay MORE for it.

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  5. Re:Doesn't work like that. by sharkey · · Score: 3, Informative

    Every option that Dell adds costs them money. Right now, every computer Dell makes has a hard drive in it with Windows installed. They're all the same. If they add an option so that you can select 'No Windows', then they need to start keeping track of which computers have windows on them and which don't.

    You mean something like this?

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  6. Re:Doesn't work like that. by mjm1231 · · Score: 3, Informative
    Right now, every computer Dell makes has a hard drive in it with Windows installed

    This is 100% verifiably false. Currently, Dell is offering the Precision Workstation 690 with Red Hat WS v4. The base model is 59 dollars cheaper than an identical base model with Windows XPSP2. As for keeping track of which computers have Windows on them and which don't, surely this is easier than keeping track of which computers have had a Windows refund issued? (Here's an idea... just don't put the Windows OEM sticker on the computers that don't have Windows installed.)

    Whenever I am pricing a Dell system, I will go in through the various choices of Home, Small Business, Large Business, etc. They run different specials under each system and don't ask for proof that you are a large or small business to let you order from those categories. Every now and then, under one category but not the others, they offer one of their lower end desktop systems (which generally aren't available installed with Red Hat) with FreeDos as an option for the OS, for a savings of about 60US$ less than with XP Home. It's pretty clear Dell sets the retail value of OEM Windows at around 60 dollars.

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  7. Check out HP by markdavis · · Score: 4, Informative

    You need to check out HP... suddenly EVERY SINGLE ONE of their business computers is available as a "Linux" model (actually a freeDOS install) and the amount saved is MUCH more than a measly $52. On a lower priced model, you can save 25% on the cost of the computer:

    For example...

    HP site: HP Compaq 2000 series (two models):

    dx2200 microtower base model, MS-Windows XP Pro $637
    dx2200 microtower base model, MS-Windows XP Home $557
    dx2200 microtower base model, "Alternate OS" $487

    Wow! $150 difference from XP Pro and $70 from XP Home! That is the *FIRST TIME* I have *EVER* seen a true, correct, and reasonable difference in the price. Could HP be doing something neat? I actually checked EVERY LINE of the quote to make sure that wasn't a mistake.

    So... in this case, you really can avoid an almost 24% tax!

    Certainly that is the only model. NO- they offer "configure Linux PC" on the entire 5000 line (4 more models) and get this- the difference is *$167* this time. And $160 on the entire 7000 line (three more models). In fact, every single small, medium, and large business line and even workstation line is available with "Alternate OS" (even business laptops!). You only lack the choice with their "Home" computers. Good going, HP!

    I am not saying that MS-Windows isn't *worth* the $160 to some people. But it is worth $0 to people that want to install something other than MS-Windows or already own an MS-Windows individual or site license.

    Now we need HP to do this with their home line too, and hopefully the other vendors will follow.