No OS Preloaded

February 17, 2007

Posted By:  agreer

8107 Votes

Status: Partially Implemented

Promote

I have a XP Pro retail copy, will soon buy retail vista, I also like Linux: Make WINDOWS-FREE, and OS-Free an option for more than just expensive business lines.


DELL/ Status Update
Dell has systems available that do not have an OS pre-loaded called N-Series line. You can check them out at www.dell.com/nseries.

8107 Votes | 504 Comments | Report Abuse

MERGED IDEAS:16

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  • Apr 1, 2011     Comment Link

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    Posted By: aikiwolfie

    Just a point of interest. Most of the hardware in Dell products is already supported in Linux as standard. There really isn't much that isn't supported. Linux has come a long long way from the days of bedroom hackers.
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  • Mar 10, 2011     Comment Link

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    Posted By: Gigadoc2

    And so the first thing I do here is to dig out an old Idea…

    Please, would someone change the "Partially Implemented" into "Not Implemented" or something adequate?
    I am living in Germany, and I cannot find any OS-Free notebooks. Not on the German Dell-Website, neither on the UK or US Website. Maybe on some hidden Site one can buy a OS-Free notebook only shipping to the UK, but I cannot buy one.

    I am totally understanding that Dell cannot simply make all its Products running with Linux (or other free OS), as Dell itself does not know the sourcecode of most of the drivers (and does not have the rights to distribute modified versions of the drivers).
    But why not simply offer a OS-Free version of every Product to all Countries? You could add an option under "OS Coice" to choose no os. Yeah, maybe with some bright warning popups, that the computer won't boot without external media or something.

    Some years ago I bought an old Latitude D810. As it was already used, the Windows XP copy was activated, but it was cheap while still fully functional, so I bought it. I removed the Windows XP, installed OpenSuse, and it worked like a charm! In the meantime I have cleaned the device several times, bought a battery replacing the CD-drive, and upgraded the RAM. It still works like at the first day, and I managed to disassemble (and successfully reassemble) the whole notebook by just following the steps in the service manual!
    Short version: I like Dell notebooks.

    But now it seems as the Time of the D810 is over. Not that it stopped working or something, but I simply need faster Hard Drives (PATA ist just not fast enough) , and a faster CPU.
    I already looked at specific Linux-notebook-sellers, but the pricing is horribly, and the hardware is not how i like it. Additionally I think they are just buying their notebooks from other resellers (with Windows installed) and installing Linux on it.

    Dell has offers which seem to be perfect, but they are always combined with a Windows 7 License and maybe even a Office License.
    I do not want to pay for a Windows Licence, and I do not want the "used windows 7 copys"-counter to raise because of me (because I do not use it).
    And as you can see at the popularity of this Idea, there are enough other people wanting a OS-free computer. Maybe because they want to install Linux, or because they have already enough Windows licenses they can use.

    I am pretty sure that this comment will be ignored. But if I cannot find any windows-free notebook here, I am either gonna buy at some expensive linux-notebook-reseller or I am not going to buy a new notebook at all. And if there are some os-free offers, please make them more visible to the public.
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  • Nov 10, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: phubert

    Now if they'd only move the Post a Comment to the TOP (so I don't have to SCROLL DOWN), replies would be SO much easier!!
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  • Nov 8, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: zanlok

    heck yes, phubert.. definitely a "like" on this concept.

    reverse-ordered comments is still stuck in my craw. but this almost makes it worthwhile to have the site changing around. yay, something useful. now, if they'd just merge things more often.. faster, so the original idea originator got / saw more of the credit, so to speak.
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  • Oct 6, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: phubert

    Seeing the list of MERGED ideas, my KUDOS to Dell for a REAL IdeaStorm improvement!
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  • May 20, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: motofix

    Well, this IdeaStorm stuff really truns to be a real joke, as the most "promoted" ideas are just not implemented. "Partially implemented", are you kidding, really? Just try no buy a _good_ Laptop, no OS installed in France: impossible. Even if in France, it's supposed to be illegal to force hardaware + software bundle! Dell just don't care.
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  • Apr 17, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: shaikailash

    I dont' see any improvement on this topic. I recently bought a Dell studio 1558 laptop (Dell Italy), and I found no option other than windows 7 and other completely useless softwares as Works, McAfee, and so on.
    The system came full of other trialware and programs, with the result that it was easier for me to format. This is not encouraging.

    I had no chance to choose the laptop without OS or with Linux, as well other models. We don't have any N-series.

    Moreover, I installed Ubuntu 9.10 on the machine, and found a compatibility problem with the ATI Radeon card. Resolution was also very poor, I hope that with the upcoming release (10.04) this will be solved.

    To conclude, on linux side Dell made no improvements, at least on the european market. This is really sad and disappointing.

    Is it true, as I read, that (reason: agreements with Microsoft) Dell cannot sell computers without Windows at a lower prices and that it' is prohibited from advertising these models?
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  • Apr 5, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: aikiwolfie

    The Dell update on this idea seems to apply only to the USA. Once again Dells global customers are second class consumers. Clearly we don't matter to Dell.

    Why are the N-series desktops buried in the small business section? There are even top of the range gaming rigs buried in there?

    Why does Dell keep obfiscating these opions? Why does it continue to make them difficult to find?
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  • Mar 30, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: zanlok

    agreed, jdelidc and by inference phubert.. this is a top issue for me and should be addressed.. can't even find the supposed N-series.. it should always be an option to not purchase an OS, anyways
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  • Mar 22, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: Breitkreutz

    What I love about Dell is the freedom to choose the components I want - even in a laptop. So why don't I have that choice with software, which should be the easiest option for personalisation? And why only in a special series? I really don't get it.

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