Dell unhooks Windows from desktops

By John G Spooner

Dell is set to introduce a range of desktops and workstations that will ship without Microsoft's Windows, or any other operating system, pre-installed.

The new desktops appear to be a slick interpretation of Microsoft's new licensing terms and a way to navigate customer demand for PCs without an operating system (OS) installed.

The Microsoft licensing terms, which were put in place on 1 August, specify that PC makers must ship PCs with an operating system. The new policy exists to prevent piracy and to better track OS shipments.

Dell will include a copy of a free operating system - FreeDOS - with its n-Series machines. However, the OS will not be pre-installed, so customers will not have to worry about reconfiguring their machines should they want to use a different product.

Businesses will be able to order n-Series computers, which will be part of the Optiplex line and the Precision workstation line, directly from Dell beginning 1 September.

Dell has been shipping PCs without operating systems to its largest customers for some time, offering them a limited number of models of Optiplex and Precision machines.

The company will not promote the new models heavily, let alone make them easy to purchase. Optiplex n-Series desktops will be available only to customers who buy the desktops in large numbers through Dell's Custom Factory Installation program. Individuals will be able to purchase n-Series Precision workstations, but not Optiplex PCs, via Dell's website.

The Custom Factory Installation Program allows customers to specify an operating system or have Dell install a customized bundle of software, such as Windows or Red Hat Software's version of Linux.

N-series PCs will cost the same as PCs that ship with Windows, a Dell representative said.

While it hasn't created a separate brand, Hewlett-Packard also plans to ship computers bundled with alternatives to Windows through its PC Customization Services programme for business customers.

The company will install alternatives, most likely to be various versions of Linux, for customers purchasing between about 100 and 500 PCs. It will adjust pricing as well, dropping prices if the alternative software is cheaper. But it will not offer PCs without an operating system pre-installed, a representative said.

John G. Spooner writes for News.com.