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Topic: Hardware

Top five PC manufacturers fail naked PC test

Summary: A ZDNet special investigation into buying PCs without an operating system from the top five PC vendors uncovered a litany of conflicting advice and confused instructions

Richard Thurston

By Richard Thurston |

HP's elusive FreeDOS version

Hp Compaq n9420An HP spokeswoman told us: "HP offer desktops with no operating system if requested by the customer (available via direct or indirect)."

The spokeswoman added that no refund would be made even if the customer declined the End User License Agreement (EULA). "If a customer does not require this [Windows] when placing the order and purchases an operating system, HP will not refund regardless of the End User License Agreement for Windows," she said.

Ian Dent, Linux Business Manager for HP, added more information on HP's policy. "There are two options: PCs with Windows and a version with FreeDOS." Dent said there was no minimum order, and the FreeDOS PCs could be ordered through any of HP's sales channels.

ZDNet UK asked HP for a URL from which readers could buy a FreeDOS-based PC. HP promised us the URL, but has not sent it.

HP's call centre told us that all machines come with Windows, and that it was not possible to buy any PCs without Windows.

 


 

Topic: Hardware

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17 comments
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  • Well done!

    Nice to see this subject being aired. But even if you want an MS OS they invariably bundle it with all sorts of rubbish that runs on startup, just look at he systray! You are better off installing it yourself!
    adyj
    Reply Vote

  • You can or used to able to get a naked pc from Dell

    In the past I have ordered pc's with no OS from Dell. It took a little persistence but eventually by threatening to take my order else where they buckled. This was an order for about 30 Optiplex desktops. The reason why I wanted they PC without Windows was the company I worked for had an enterprise agreement with Microsoft so we did not want Windows XP Pro OEM on there.

    If there's a reasonable amount of money on the table you might be surprised what a sales person is willing to do.
    bigfootman
    Reply Vote

  • get an IBM/Lenovo with Linux from an independent seller

    The Linux Emporium in the UK (www.linuxemporium.co.uk) sell a wide range of IBM/Lenovo laptops, preinstalled with Ubuntu.
    bLanark
    Reply Vote

  • You CAN by a naked (OS-less) PC

    You can also buy one with Linux pre-installed.

    http://lxer.com/module/forums/t/23168/

    http://lxer.com/module/db/index.php?dbn=14
    cyber_rigger@...
    Reply Vote

  • I guess you didnt look hard enough - bad report

    Here is the link for a naked pc.
    http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/nseries?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&redirect=1
    cdtech
    Reply Vote

  • Companies selling no-OS computers

    http://lxer.com/module/forums/t/23168/
    http://lxer.com/module/db/index.php?dbn=14
    cyber_rigger@...
    Reply Vote

  • Naked PCs from Fujitsu Siemens - go to emaack.com

    Hi anyone interested in naked PC's or with Linux from Fujitsu Siemens can contact us @ emaack.com
    em@...
    Reply Vote

  • Production line diversions could only cheapen the price of a 'naked pc'

    This article sites 'production line diversions' as being a main reason manufacturers wouldn't want to sell a 'naked pc'. This sounds like a fancy way of saying they are giving in to pressure from Microsoft. Honestly though, how could it possibly cost them extra money to *remove* a step in their system-building pipeline (installing the OS)? I built my last 2 PCs myself and I'll tell you that if I didn't bother to install the OS, I would have been done a lot quicker and if I was getting paid per hour to do this for someone, I would certainly charge them less too. I'm rather confused.
    bleedseason
    Reply Vote

  • Dell does Linux as well as nothing

    Dell does ship systems with linux as well as systems with nothing installed.
    Nothing installed
    http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/nseries?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&redirect=1
    Linux Preinstalled
    http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/precn_n?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
    blchoat
    Reply Vote

  • Microsoft is probably giving them a spiff

    Some choose to pass on the spiff as a rebate. The OS is a piece part to them and they have it factored into their cost, so when they say it costs them more, it could, but it would just be the cost of the rebate process and the amount they make on the OS as a piece part.
    gdoan-c301b
    Reply Vote

  • try mini-itx.com

    I've been buying low power usage VIA motherboards from Mini-Itx and they are easy about not shipping Windows with their parts. On the other hand, I actually have to build these things. However, its worth it to get 1,500 Bogus Mips in a 20 watt box 1/10th the volume of a normal pizza box.
    kelvinvanderlip
    Reply Vote

  • you need to read the article again

    The story clearly says that Dell do sell Linux desktops but only in the US. Your link is to Dell US. So what's your point?
    whale-aa6b6
    Reply Vote

  • again with the US links

    Richard's story clearly says that Dell sells Linux boxes in the US, your links are to Dell.com ie. Dell US. So what's your point?
    whale-aa6b6
    Reply Vote

  • No Linux PCs to be found on emaack.com!

    The emaack.com website has no links anywhere leading to Linux-pre-installed PC offerings. If I enter the simple search term 'Linux PC' in its search box it again leads to nowhere.

    If somebody wants to offer Linux PCs they should clearly say so on their website and not hide it!
    JNeuhoff-24734724177744930400675730175219
    Reply Vote

  • Look here

    http://lxer.com/module/forums/t/23168/
    http://lxer.com/module/db/index.php?dbn=14
    cyber_rigger@...
    Reply Vote

  • Again no Linux systems!

    Thank you for your link. Amon others, the http://lxer.com/module/forums/t/23168/ lists Systemax.com which uses misco.co.uk as a PC distributor. Now, if I search on Misco for e.g. 'Linspire', it then at first delivers some results. However, as soon as I click on the results, it leads to Windows Vista PCs!

    Hence, it doesn't seem to be true when lxer.com makes the following claim:

    "The company doesn't count if they advertise Linux, then spam you with MS Windows."

    because I am being spammed with MS Windows offerings.
    JNeuhoff-24734724177744930400675730175219
    Reply Vote

  • Paying double as a company policy?

    If manufacturers state that they hardly ever sell systems without pre-installed Windows then doesn't that mean that large organizations (including those that are fueled by tax money) have made paying double part of their company policy?

    Meaning, that, given the volume purchased, it is possible to purchase customized configurations. That includes almost anything you want, or not want. So why hasn't anyone come up with the idea to purchase systems without pre-installed Windows? Why waste a default price cut? Because chances are high that the moment the systems are delivered they'll get re-installed with some company image backed up by an Enterprise license. Who needs an OEM license then? Heck, you can even get them pre-installed with your own company image.

    Normally that should mean that the statistics of the manufacturers should show that a large enough percentage of systems in purchased without a pre-installed Windows (the OEM version). Given that most large suppliers have a short list of preferred suppliers that usually includes the Top 5 directly or indirectly. But because manufacturers say that the purchase of naked PC's doesn;t even register that can only mean that plenty of budget has been burned on unused OEM licenses. Or the statistics don't add up. Or prices are artificial.

    Think about this for a while. Estimate the number of systems purchased in large volumes over the years and imagine what kind of impact that might have had on tax money saved and/or jobs saved.
    It does add up.

    Either manufacturer statistics only show their best interest and clearly no longer can be trusted or a lot of large organizations should have a serious talk with whomever negotiates their purchases. Perhaps ask their money back or change preferred supplier.

    In short, it most likely boils down to a self fulfilling prophecy most simply take for granted. And thus pay the price for it.
    arthur-b@...
    Reply Vote
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