[Haifux] "Windows-Free" laptops in Haifa

[Eli Billauer]

Hello,


Somehow I had a feeling I was going to write another message in this 
subject.


Tzafrir Cohen wrote:

> You mean: asking them to do what Dell already does today in Israel
> (preload with FreeDOS) is too much?
>
>   
If they're not doing so voluntarily, yes. A computer vendor, like any 
vendor, has a group of people which should have a synchronized view of 
what they are selling and supporting. The more complicated the picture 
gets, the more flavors the products have, the more resources they need 
to maintain that. It sounds simple when you look at your own single 
request, but it becomes a mess when you hear all crazy things people are 
asking for. So I understand why they say no.

They have the right to bundle Windows as they see fit, and we have the 
right to buy what we want. Since Linux users are a drop in the sea 
(someone said 0.5%?) asking for a non-Windows computer is in almost all 
cases equal to "I'll install some cracked Windows I have".

As for getting a refund, I'm really not sure that will work in a larger 
scale. It worked once, basically because Dell's main concern was to 
finish the story with as little noise as possible (that didn't work...). 
But let's face it: If you buy a travel package including hotel and 
flight, you can't get a refund for the hotel, and surely not for the 
price the hotel alone would cost you (unless the hotel doesn't meet its 
promises). And everyone knows you can get an hotel and a flight 
separately. And yes, there are some hotels which you can get a bed in 
only through a package deal.

The laptop and the OS are bundled as a package deal, and you know it 
when you buy the laptop. Before the installation, your asked to "contact 
the manufacturer or installer to determine their return policy for a 
refund or credit" unless you approve with the license agreement. Their 
refund policy can be 0 NIS as well. Exactly as you won't get a refund if 
you choose not to sleep in the hotel, which you got bundled with the flight.

To summarize my view: If there will be a demand for Linux or non-OS 
laptops, don't worry. Someone will supply it. But as long as this is 
something very few request, it's in a line with "I want a laptop 
manufactured in Dolphin-friendly countries" or something like that. Yet 
another annoying customer.

   Eli

-- 
Web: http://www.billauer.co.il