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600

Thank you for the n series... please fix the prices!

600 points posted to Sales Strategies by akerasi 02/24/07

Apparently it's cheaper to have Windows on your Dell than not to. Why is this? Please fix it, or at least tell us why... a large part of the reason for most who want Linux on a Dell is to save money and/or to not support Microsoft. I don't wish to support a company that chooses to push its poor excuse for an operating system through monopolistic practices, as proven in court numerous times. Although I'd prefer seeing pre-installed Linux, the n-series is indeed a step in the right direction. Ubuntu, SuSE, vanilla Debian, and Redhat/Fedora being options would make me happy.

homer
02/25/07		 By not reducing prices on OS-free systems, this would imply that we pay for Windows whether we want it or not, even if it isn't actually installed. I'm sure this is some clandestine contract between Dell and Microsoft to not only "not sell" but also "not promote or encourage" Linux systems on non-business Desktops.

If this is not a boiler-room deal, then Dell urgently needs to review its n-series prices, and ensure full disclosure of its contract agreements with Microsoft.

Then again, I hear that part of that agreement is that Dell do not disclose the details, which, if that's true, I think entirely justifies my claim that the "contract" is underhand, and should IMHO be illegal. I'm sure Neely Kroes of the EU Anti-trust team would agree.

So which is it, Dell? Is there a boiler-room deal between Dell and Microsoft, or not? Because as long as this question remains unanswered, people are just going to assume it's true, especially when your prices seem to confirm the fact.
mito150
02/26/07		 edited.... Microsoft controls Dell :D
limerat
02/26/07		 Microsoft is twisting your arm to make you charge more fro Linux than their OS, aren't they?
When are you going to stand up to this bully?
Linspire,Freespire,MEPIS would be good choices for Linux distros.
jmxz
02/27/07		 My suspicion is that Microsoft pays Dell to put the crippleware-Vista-Basic on the computers, and on top of that Dell and Microsoft then share revenue of people who upgrade to a version that's at least as good as XP.

It's the best argument I've heard to explain the price difference. I don't think Dell's being bullied so much as bribed.
mfedyk
03/13/07		 Writing this from Ubuntu 6.10...

One thing that is a legitimate reason why the windows version can be cheaper is microsoft will help high volume manufacturers with joint advertizing campaigns.

More advertizing means more volume and lower costs. That's also why we see "recommends vista" because it is the "joint" part. MS helps sell Dell, Dell helps sell MS.
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