[clug] Buying a Notebook without Windows

[Ben]

2009/3/30 Karun Dambiec <kdambiec at ieee.org>:
> I am in the process of looking for a new notebook.
> What have been your experiences in trying to buy one without windows?

It can be really hard going. There have been some useful suggestions
here, but in general this can be near impossible.

A friend of mine works for a support contractor for Acer. They are
rolling out 2,000 new PCs for a Government contract. The relevant
department possesses an appropriate volume license for Windows XP,
which is what they will all be loaded with.

However, Acer's agreement with MS forbids them from releasing the PCs
from the factory without an OS on them, and they all have Vista Home
preloaded with appropriate license sticker, which will of course will just
be written over.

Even if you manage to get a machine without Windows, you can be sure
MS isn't seeing a $ less, but at least you're pushing the manufacturer
towards offering a Linux option. And while that won't necessarily cut
into MS's margins either, it's the first step on the road to choice.

Good luck with it.