[RESOLVED] Getting new laptops without preinstalled software

December 10th, 2000, 03:21 PM

Greetings!

I have a question for you people here. I frequently look for laptops for co-workers and clients. The problem is that quite a number of people likes tu run Linux or a *BSD variant on it. Therefore I see no need to buy a copy of Windows with the machine since it won't last because I usually delete it when installing the new OS.

Do you know any manufacturers that sell laptops without any preinstalled software except the BIOS?

I know that some vendors offer laptops preinstalled with Linux, but this does not help much if I intend to do the installation myself for others.

Yours virtually,
doctor.jeep

------------------
Misfortune, n.:
The kind of fortune that never misses.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

December 15th, 2000, 02:28 PM

There is a small print feature in the microsoft literature that comes with the OS that says something along the lines of a "refund" may be applied for if the OS is unused and still sealed.There was a recent test case,I believe in the US to prove its validity.

December 15th, 2000, 05:08 PM

Hello!

Yes, I heard about the Australian sysadmin who got a refund from Toshiba. I don't mind creating some extra stress for people bundling their hardware with Microso~1 software, but surely there should be some sensible vendors out there that give their customers a choice.

Yours virtually,
doctor.jeep

------------------
Misfortune, n.:
The kind of fortune that never misses.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

December 19th, 2000, 07:06 AM

There are suppliers who will sell you a PC minus an OS but I understand they give no guarentees- due to no OS to test with and I dont really think in the long run itll be any cheaper because of the bulk buy price thay pay for windows.

December 19th, 2000, 07:07 AM

OOPS! forgot to add
There are also suppliers who will use LINUX as an OS,bit of a change!

December 19th, 2000, 01:29 PM

If you buy a notebook with Linux on it, it's real simple to wipe it and load what version of Linux or BEOS you want, and since they are free OS's, it's not like your really paying anything extra for the anyways!

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Why do convenience stores that are open 24/7 have locks on the doors?

December 19th, 2000, 07:34 PM

Thanks for your answers.

I will probably settle for an IBM since I have an old IBM Thinkpad 760EL that served me well.

Yours virtually,
dj

------------------
Misfortune, n.:
The kind of fortune that never misses.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

December 10th, 2000, 03:21 PM	#1
doctor.jeep Guest Posts: n/a	Getting new laptops without preinstalled software Greetings! I have a question for you people here. I frequently look for laptops for co-workers and clients. The problem is that quite a number of people likes tu run Linux or a BSD variant on it. Therefore I see no need to buy a copy of Windows with the machine since it won't last because I usually delete it when installing the new OS. Do you know any manufacturers that sell laptops without* any preinstalled software except the BIOS? I know that some vendors offer laptops preinstalled with Linux, but this does not help much if I intend to do the installation myself for others. Yours virtually, doctor.jeep ------------------ Misfortune, n.: The kind of fortune that never misses. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

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December 15th, 2000, 02:28 PM	#2
Andi Guest Posts: n/a	There is a small print feature in the microsoft literature that comes with the OS that says something along the lines of a "refund" may be applied for if the OS is unused and still sealed.There was a recent test case,I believe in the US to prove its validity.

December 15th, 2000, 05:08 PM	#3
doctor.jeep Guest Posts: n/a	Hello! Yes, I heard about the Australian sysadmin who got a refund from Toshiba. I don't mind creating some extra stress for people bundling their hardware with Microso~1 software, but surely there should be some sensible vendors out there that give their customers a choice. Yours virtually, doctor.jeep ------------------ Misfortune, n.: The kind of fortune that never misses. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

December 19th, 2000, 07:06 AM	#4
Andi Guest Posts: n/a	There are suppliers who will sell you a PC minus an OS but I understand they give no guarentees- due to no OS to test with and I dont really think in the long run itll be any cheaper because of the bulk buy price thay pay for windows.

December 19th, 2000, 07:07 AM	#5
Andi Guest Posts: n/a	OOPS! forgot to add There are also suppliers who will use LINUX as an OS,bit of a change!

December 19th, 2000, 01:29 PM	#6
3fingersalute Guest Posts: n/a	If you buy a notebook with Linux on it, it's real simple to wipe it and load what version of Linux or BEOS you want, and since they are free OS's, it's not like your really paying anything extra for the anyways! ------------------ Why do convenience stores that are open 24/7 have locks on the doors?

December 19th, 2000, 07:34 PM	#7
doctor.jeep Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for your answers. I will probably settle for an IBM since I have an old IBM Thinkpad 760EL that served me well. Yours virtually, dj ------------------ Misfortune, n.: The kind of fortune that never misses. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"