Bundled Software: Reward or Burden? - Choosing an OS for You
(Page 2 of 4 )
When I go to buy a computer, I have a number of options as far as the operating system installed. Most of the time it's just going to be different versions of the same OS, such as Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate. Perhaps you can get XP preloaded onto it, but not for much longer, according to Microsoft.
What if you want another OS like Linux, or have already bought an OS? Well, you're out of luck. No matter how much you beg and cry about it, you're going to be stuck with it. I'm sure people would love to be able to subtract $100 off their computer if they have an OS already. Too bad; it doesn't quite work that way.
I'm sure Microsoft gives manufacturers a huge discount on their OS. The manufacturers' typical response to why they can't offer a computer without an operating system preinstalled is that it costs the company more money to sell a computer without an OS than providing one with it. I'm not sure how accurate that is, and I think it's a BS answer.
There has been some success recently with customers fighting manufacturers over pre-installed operating systems. In France it is illegal to force someone to pay for software that they wish not to have. In recent court decisions, people have been getting back ~ $200 for not wanting Windows XP.
Those $500 computers are looking really cheap now, aren't they? If you're in France you might be in luck, but for those of us who are state side, nothing like this has happened yet. On the other hand, I see more and more users not liking Vista, and people might complain enough to where this might become a option for you.
Still, I really doubt you will be able to get $200 back by not having an OS on your computer. Unless something major changes, you won't be able to get OS X on a PC anytime soon legally. If they offer any other kind of OS besides Windows it will most likely be some version of an open source OS.
Next: Bundled Software >>
More Software Articles
More By jkabaseball
