How do we buy a computer and not have windows on it?

[fragarific]

It's already built into the price and they won't let us take it off. I heard a while back that you can fax or mail a copy of your windows cd and booklet and the'll put it on for free, anyone done this?

 

[Kelvrick]

Build your own computer.

 

[dman]

Buy from someone else who will sell it to you without the windows license.

 

[BDawg]

<< How do we buy a computer and not have windows on it? >>



Easy, buy a Mac!

 

[Nitemare]

I doubt if any of the major stores would do it. You'll probably have to go internet stores unless you build your own...maybe a local Mom and Pop's store.

 

[DAM]

ask for linux?



dam()

 

[Sugadaddy]

Who cares?


DUDE!!!, You're getting a Dell!!!!!!

 

[fragarific]

hey suga,

can you explain this:

Who cares?

DUDE!!!, You're getting a Dell!!!!!!

thanks

 

[CocaCola5]

What your asking(brand name comps without Windows) would makes MS pee their pants.

 

[Avalanche007]

I would second Kelvrik's idea.

 

[Daniel]

<< hey suga,

can you explain this:

Who cares?

DUDE!!!, You're getting a Dell!!!!!!

thanks >>



It's from the dell commercial.

 

[Jzero]

Actually, something went down about this a few years ago, and I believe that if you never activitated Windows by punching in the number and demonstrate that you installed a different OS, you're entitled to a refund.....
I dunno how dated the info is, but check this: http://linuxmall.com/refund/

 

[Sugadaddy]

<< hey suga,

can you explain this:

Who cares?

DUDE!!!, You're getting a Dell!!!!!!

thanks >>




J/K
Sorry, that Dell commercial is giving me nightmares... It's just so annoying.


I thought: Computer with Windows=pre-built=Dell...

 

[bozo1]

Mom & Pop shop or Internet retailer is the only way this is going to happen. When you are talking about Gateway, Dell, etc., they pay Microsoft x number of dollars per PC shipped, regardless of whether there is Windows on there or not. They are not about to reduce the price for you when they have to pay for it themselves. I worked for a major OEM a number of years ago and that was the scheme then - I don't think it has changed. (Of course, MS claims to allow manufacturers to not bundle Windows with a PC, but if they do that, their per unit price is going to go up.

 

[vegetation]

I doubt any large system manufacturer is going to let you use your windows "code" for a free install. Stick with a homebuilt system so you don't have win in your purchase price at all.

 

[fragarific]

Yea, thats a problem. Anyone actually know how many dollars they get for each sale of the o.s. with a new comp.

 

[Lvis]

Your best bet would be a mom and pop store.

You can see why the major brands don't want to sell like this, they have to provide tech support. They don't want you calling them up saying the damn machine is broken, and have it be a driver problem, etc.

 

[Josh]

Buy a mac

 

[THELAIR]

as someone who has worked and run a small "mom n pop" store, i had several people ask "can i have windows not included on the system"

for awhile i was allowing it, however this is what happened.

for those that are not really computer literate, when they get the PC home, we usaully have to spend 2-3 hours walking htem through the install process.... constantly we would get calls asking "what is a driver??"

If htey brought their own legal copy of windows into the store, we could load it up with their older win95 or whatever, but alot of htem had burnt discs, which we wouldnt work iwth, or it was just hte uprade disk, and they couldnt undrestand why we wouldnt install it for htem. They didnt understand the differences between "update" and "full version".... caused alot of head aches for us.

we implemented a policy where if you install your OS yourself, we wont provide any phone support or tech support during that install...... well christ that pissed off alot of people. they would come back wanting a refund cuz the video cardwouldnt work.... thats cuz they installed the wrong drivers, and we would have to re do their system, god forbid they had any important data allready on the system...

hence, we implemented a policy that an OS HAS to be installed.


i heard that dell and the big oems pay 8 bucks per windows license

 

[Kanalua]

Go to NewEgg or Compgeeks and buy a ready made system, or just make it yourself....