Dell sells computers preloaded with Windows XP & Vista and have also recently started selling PC's preloaded with Ubuntu & FreeDOS.
The problem is that the computers preloaded with a Open Source (free) OS cost slightly more than the same computer preloaded with Windows?
I would think that this would be the other way around, especially since Linux is a free operating system, that they would pass on those savings to the consumer.
2007-09-11 06:36:25 · 7 answers · asked by rf186 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
You are only considering the cost of the OS and don't seem to be considering the manufacturing costs involved with setting up a manufacturing process to preload Ubuntu, etc. into the hard drive you ordered. It's just that simple. If you want Ubuntu, they'll provide it, but it will cost you like any other OS they install.
Dell's manufacturing process is geared to installing Windows. I'll guess that for now, XP is still available since so many people are requesting it in favor over Vista and they probably have many hard drives still in stock or in production that are already pre-loaded with it.
Substantially further down the road, XP will most likely also take a back seat like the other OS's you mentioned.
JMHO
2007-09-11 06:51:07 · answer #1 · answered by Dick 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Did you cross your wires? Dell computers with Ubuntu cost less than Dell computers with Windows installed.
2007-09-11 21:55:06 · answer #2 · answered by PCSTech 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you want Ubuntu then order a machine with windows, make a restore disk and download and install Ubuntu on your own, save the labor cost. that way you also have a fall back if something isnt right.
one of the costs that is incurred by letting them install it is they configure your hardware to work with it as well.
2007-09-11 07:08:02 · answer #3 · answered by KellyJeanne 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think its because they have a contract with microsoft to
sell xp and vista on every pc, Buy maybe for every computer they build/sell that dosnt have windows installed they still have to pay microsoft, Not totally sure though
2007-09-11 06:59:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
when they preload windows,they also preload various crap trial ware,from which the collect advertisement charges...which reduces the cost on the consumer..
when loading freedos or unbuntu,they donot get to load any additional crap..so no advertisement money ,high price..
2007-09-11 08:11:39 · answer #5 · answered by SAURAV 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the first post. try linux once you get hooked you'll find out how bad windows really is. linux runs better because it is smaller and you can customize it more easily. And it's FREE!
2016-04-04 02:12:14 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably a lot of special handling to install Linux.
Linux has only 0.77% of the operating system market.
http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=2
2007-09-11 07:25:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋