Since when do they do that?? It must be new, since as far as I know Microsoft gets payment for their software. If a manufacturer decides to install Windows on their laptops, then Microsoft gets paid per licence. If they don't decide to install Windows,then MS doesn't get a single penny. Unless there is some new law that I missed that says that all new PCs HAVE to come with Windows, I think your question is moot.
Microsoft actually was coniditioning the market [1]
If any vendor had the gal to offer a computer with no operating system at a discount, microsoft will pull their "special discount" and Dell or whoever will be paying full price for their licenses.
Apparently there was fallout for that choice. Fortunately Microsoft isn't fighting it anymore. Perhaps because working under the table works better than over it.
gambiting|13 years ago
GhotiFish|13 years ago
If any vendor had the gal to offer a computer with no operating system at a discount, microsoft will pull their "special discount" and Dell or whoever will be paying full price for their licenses.
Apparently there was fallout for that choice. Fortunately Microsoft isn't fighting it anymore. Perhaps because working under the table works better than over it.
I don't want 10 dollars going towards microsoft
I don't want 5 dollars going towards microsoft
I don't want 1 cent going towards microsoft.
But I want a laptop. How unfair of me.
[1] http://www.justice.gov/atr/cases/f3800/msjudgex.htm#iiie
cooldeal|13 years ago
http://zareason.com/shop/Laptops/
http://www.dell.com/us/soho/p/xps-13-linux/pd
https://www.system76.com/laptops/
http://www.emperorlinux.com/
And a bunch more.