[ubuntu-za] Windows Tax Refund was Re: Are there any problems running Ubuntu on a Intel Quad ?

[Corrie Strydom]

On Thu, Feb 11, 2010 at 2:12 PM, Rudi Ahlers <rudiahlers at gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> On Thu, Feb 11, 2010 at 2:05 PM, Nic Roets <nroets at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, Feb 11, 2010 at 12:25 PM, Helge Reikeras
>> <helge.reikeras at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > On Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:21:28 +0200, Andre Rossouw <andre at arnet.co.za>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Thu, 2010-02-11 at 11:43 +0200, Helge Reikeras wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> Can one actually do this?
>> >>
>> >> Not to hijack the thread, but it is within your rights. The agreement
>> >> specifies that if you do not agree to the terms and conditions that you
>> >> are entitled to return the software to wherever you bought it for your
>> >> money back. That is unfortunately where it all goes pear, as the OEM
>> >> guys refuse, citing that the operating system is part of the machine
>> >> that you bought, and when you did so you agreed to the operating system
>> >> installed on it [my experience anyway]. The fact that is not legal in
>> >> this country to buy a computer without and operating system [my
>> >> understanding, please correct me if I am wrong] and that most
>> >> OEM's/suppliers hardly ever supply anything other than Windows, is
>> >> beside the point.
>> >>
>> >> FYI, I am in contact with a Microsoft employee in my region, and am
>> >> investigating the options my clients have when buying machines that
>> will
>> >> be re-installed with Ubuntu (or any other OS for that matter).
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> > *Started a new thread*
>> >
>> > Would be interesting to know if anyone have actually tried this and what
>> > the outcome was (success/fail, amount, etc)?
>> >
>>
>> You can most certainly buy a computer without an operating system in
>> South Africa. Occasionally Sybaritic has a notebook advertised like
>> that.
>>
>> Some people have successfully done it in the US and Europe. It takes a
>> lot of time on the phone talking to people without the legal
>> expertise, but it can be done. I guessed they received +- $25.
>>
>> In South Africa, they'll just put you on hold until you die of
>> boredom. They are after all employing customer care employees who earn
>> a lot less than you, so if they play the waiting game, you loose.
>>
>> The real problem is that the OEM does not claim it back from MS, nor
>> do they have any incentive to do so. If they do, MS will just
>> "retaliate" by canceling some of their "discounts".
>>
>> Another part of the problem is off course people who bought EEE PCs
>> not because they like Linux, but because they took the cheapest model,
>> only to return it after a few days. If the retailer doesn't allow them
>> to trade up to an MS model, they loose credibility.
>>
>> My advice: It may not fit your requirements, but try to wait a few
>> months and buy an ARM based smartbook running Andriod or Chrome OS.
>> Then reinstall with Ubuntu. That will hurt MS much more than demanding
>> a refund on MS tax.
>>
>> --
>> ubuntu-za mailing list
>> ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-za
>>
>
> Does anyone know if it is actually against the law to purchase a PC without
> an OS?
>
> I only purchase equipment from wholesalers like Rectron / Pinnacle / etc,
> and never purchase Windows, unless the client actually wants it.
>
> That said, there's a lot of notebooks from different brands with Linnux as
> a standard. Incredible corruption and the likes don't sell them cause they
> don't know squad about linux, and won't support it. But, I'm sure you can
> get it from online stores if you "fish around a bit". Even Dell  / HP has
> options to get Linux instead of Windows, or even FreeDOS.
>
> --
> Kind Regards
> Rudi Ahlers
> SoftDux
>
> Website: http://www.SoftDux.com
> Technical Blog: http://Blog.SoftDux.com
> Office: 087 805 9573
> Cell: 082 554 7532
>
> --
> ubuntu-za mailing list
> ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com
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>
>

A supplier would be stupid to refuse your business if you don't want Windows
loaded. If they do, protest with your feet, and buy from different supplier.

Corrie
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