🚀 go-pugleaf

On 19/07/10 1:15 AM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:41:33 -0700, SMS<scharf.steven@geemail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I know that Dell has (or used to have) a way to buy their machines
>> without any OS and the price was reduced slightly.
>
> It's still there as an N-Series PC with FreeDOS in the box (not
> installed):
> <http://www.dell.com/business/desktops#subcats=&navla=&a=80770~0~1791343>
> The problem is that some of these machines cost more than the
> equivalent with Windoze installed.
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_n_Series>

You can also get some Dell models with SUSE Embedded Linux 
pre-installed, rather than Windows. I.e. the Optiplex FX160 is Dell's 
rather weak answer to the thin client business that they chose not to 
get into with a fanless system with a low-power X86 SOC).

HP offers systems with Debian Linux, Windows Embedded, FreeDOS, or their 
own OS (or Windows). I was heavily involved with the design of those 
thin-client systems.

These systems, despite the lower hardware costs, can be a PITA for the 
manufacturers, and have lower margins than their "standard" mass market 
machines. HP offers them because they really want to sell servers and 
system management, plus they often sell them in very large quantities at 
a time which helpss makes up for the lower margins.

If you've ever seen the assembly line for desktops or laptops in Asia, 
and how they do the low cost systems sold in mass market 
retailers--there are no choices, you get what you get with the OS and 
the hardware. If you order from Dell or HP on-line, and are willing to 
wait a bit longer, then you can pick and choose, but it'll cost you more.