Why You Can't Buy a Naked PC

ZDOne writes "A piece up on ZDNet looks at the issue of naked PCs. ZDNet UK phoned around all the major PC vendors and not one of them would sell a machine without Windows on it. IT professionals are being forced to adopt Microsoft's operating systems — even if they tell their PC supplier they want a system free of Microsoft software. On the other hand, even if it's almost impossible to buy a PC without an operating system installed, companies like Dell and HP are now committed to supporting Linux as well. 'Murray believes there is a market for Linux in the UK but is also aware of the issues facing any large supplier who wants to make Linux boxes available. "It means diverting production lines and that is a lot of money and so we have to prove the business case," he said. However, he made it clear that he is enthusiastic about the idea and wants to make it work. "We just have to show it is worthwhile," he said.'"

Comments

Re:Why does it matter if it's free?

[meme lies]

The last few new Dells I've dealt with had a bare minimum of crap installed, Google Desktop was pretty much all there was.


Where they bought through the "Home" or "Business" sections of Dell's site?

Because (and this is no secret, and not limited to Dell) the computers sold to "home" and "student" users are the ones loaded with garbage. The business models are pretty much clean, for obvious reasons. And the deals are usually better, too...

Re:List of vendors selling no-OS computers

[josepha48]

FYI: some of those are overpriced, old underpowered laptops and computers.. I think people want top of the line fast and new with NO OS.

If you look at the first link you posted they have laptops with 128 Megs of RAM. Wee I can install an OS.