[abrowne]

My understanding is that it's more a way to sell a computer for people who don't want a bundled OS, but without it really having no OS. This way the new computer will at least start up to something instead of an error message that can potentially imply storage failure.

Edit: Especially since some of these purchasers are not technically-minded Linux users, who can handle a blank disk error, but people who want to use their (ahem) specially-aquired Windows licenses.

My current home computer is an HP EliteBook I custom ordered with FreeDOS to install Linux on. (Also got the matte touchscreen!)