EU Pundits Want Windows-less PCs - I just want options

re: EU Pundits Want Windows-less PCs - I just want options

Tim Long — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:18:19 GMT

The asserttion that consumers can't buy a Windows-less PC is just not true. I would be happy to sell anyone my TiGra Networks brand PCs without windows and I know of at least two other local company that would also do that.

I basically don't make any profit preinstalling Windows and it is a lot of extra effort for me to do so. I do it because I think it is what customers want and I like to deliver a high-quality product that is ready to go. But if asked, I would certainly supply a PC without Windows. So if anyone thinks it's not possible to buy Windows-less PCs, just send them in my direction.

--Tim

re: EU Pundits Want Windows-less PCs - I just want options

David Overton — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:02:00 GMT

Adam,

thanks for letting me know about the typo - it is fixed now. While you might not like trial software, some do, although I agree that it should be very easy to remove!

Of course, bundled OEM software includes the operating system. Without an operating system loaded, the amount of drivers and trial software you would have to provide would grow hugely to cover any/all operating systems that could be loaded on that PC. For that reason I support OEM software (providing the user can say no or it is easy to remove).

ttfn

David

re: EU Pundits Want Windows-less PCs - I just want options

AdamV — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:09:01 GMT

I totally agree, the ruling made sense politically but the reality is that no-one really cares.

Anyone who knows enough about the subject to care about whether they can use a competing product to media player already knows enough to go and buy or download an alternative.

veroblog.wordpress.com/.../microsoft-lost-appeal-to-the-european-courts-over-anti-competitive-practices

As for OEM-bundled software, I am less convinced that lots of pre-installed applications are a good idea.

Maybe inclusion of a CD or a hard-drive folder of installations would be OK. The OEM can still verify that these will all work, coexist etc.

Trial versions should simply be banned - especially for tools like Anti-virus where the intention is to lock you in to a product when the three month renewal pops on to your screen. That is just as anti-competitive as anything MS have ever done, especially when removal of the trial AV is often hugely problematic and requires things like preventing a service from running at startup in order to then be able to uninstall after a reboot. One vendor in particular comes to mind.

I think the "Office ready" initiative is a good direction to go in.

PS: there seems to be a word missing from this sentence: "The reasons why don't like pre-loaded software are" - did you mean the customers?