No OS PC - Dell IdeaStorm

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190

No OS PC

190 points posted to Operating Systems by tominla 05/29/07

I can buy a Dell server with no OS or software. I'd like to be able to buy PC's or notebooks with no OS or software. I have a full MSDN subscription, so I always end up paying extra for the OS on my Dell PC's and notebooks. I can still download the Dell drivers that I need.

jorge 05/29/07	@DUPLICATE Many Ideas already posted... when will the madness end!
sean 05/29/07	Duplicate AND Dell already offers this http://www.dell.com/nseries desktops, workstations, and a link to notebooks.. no OS
dell_admin1 05/29/07	As mentioned by sean, this is already offered by Dell at www.dell.com/nseries. I will be merging your idea with the original post of this idea.
jmxz 05/29/07	This one's not quite a dup... Most people ask for the No OS option in order to legally install an OS like Linux. This guy apparently wants Dell to help him violate the license terms and contribute to his illegal misuse / software piracy. From the MSDN Subscriptions Frequently Asked Questions: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/aa948864.aspx May I use MSDN Subscriptions software to install software for day-to-day (production) use? No, but with one exception. Software in your MSDN subscription comes with a development, test, and demonstration license. Examples of prohibited use include: Examples of prohibited use include: * You may not install Exchange Server from your MSDN subscription and use it to send and receive personal or business-related e-mail. * You may not install Windows NT Server from your MSDN subscription and use it to host your own personal or business Web site. * One exception is that the MSDN Premium subscription comes with one license to Desktop Applications (typically on blue discs) such as Microsoft Office Professional 2003, Visio Standard 2003, and Project Standard 2003 for business use directly related to the design, development, test, and/or demonstration of software projects. For example, you can use Project Standard to manage a development project, use Visio Standard to diagram your application, etc. Project Professional and Visio Professional are included in MSDN Premium subscriptions for development, testing, and demonstration purposes, however they may not be used for such business use. * In addition, one copy of Office Professional 2003 can be used for general business use, unrelated to development and testing. Again, only persons with an MSDN Premium Subscription license can use these Microsoft Office products in this manner. My apologies if he intended it only for development but not "day-to-day" use that Microsoft clearly prohibits.
jmxz 05/29/07	dell_admin1: Yeah, go ahead and merge anyway --- but I just wanted to note that if this guy was implying he'd install a MSDN copy for "day-to-day" use he's probably in violation of the license and should be buying the software from Dell instead.
spm 05/29/07	It is up to him how he uses his PC. It isn't Dell's job to act as a policeman for Microsoft. Perhaps Dell should include a notice with OS-less PCs to remind users that it is their responsibility to check the terms and conditions associated with software that they install on their OS-less PC in case some users misunderstand this - for the customers protection mind - not because it is any of Dell's business.
jmxz 05/29/07	spm: Sure. I agree. This guy in particular though gave reasons that sounded illegal, though; which probably don't help make the case that Dell should offer the feature. I think it might hurt the cause of the no-OS option if this request is merged as is; since it helps make the case that OS-free systems encourage piracy. I think someone used that argument in the past to not offer no-OS; and I wish people would stop misusing the OS-free systems in that way because it harms people who do have legitimate uses for no-OS systems. But I guess you're right - Dell shouldn't be the policeman for this. Hopefully the "activation" logic in Vista can be improved to stop such misuses of their software.
cmccarty 05/31/07	To poster...I can't believe you admitted to using your MSDN subscription on all your machines. Let's hope Microsoft doesn't catch you.
jmxz 05/31/07	to poster & cmccaty who wrote "Let's hope Microsoft doesn't catch you." In the name of all the honest people paying full price - I hope they do.
jorge 05/31/07	Merge Baby Merge!

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