Array ( ) The quest for a Windows free notebook (part two) - Seopher.com


Want to stay up to date? Then why not subscribe to the RSS feed?

Or subscribe by email
Reviews are now only $20 Want a product reviewed? Now they cost only $20! Not bad for a site with 1,000 visitors a day
book yours now before they're gone
Posted on Tuesday 20th of March 2007 at 07:05 in Linux

The quest for a Windows free notebook (part two)

In this episode, Acer actually reply to my question of whether having a Windows-free notebook is possible. In short, yes it is. But hang on... Do I actually have to pay more to have it without?

After my first article on finding a Windows free notebook (and changing how I review distros) I pinged a series of emails off to various reputable vendors querying what options I have available. Ideally (with a tight budget) I'm looking for a decent laptop for running Linux (and all the Beryl effects that I love so much) without a massive price tag. So sponsorship would be a nice option but I was really looking for someone to explain how much money could be saved by removing Windows from the price.

Acer answered my question



This morning I received an email from Acer UK's customer service team supplying me with the documents required to claim back the cost of Windows against a purchase. A nice step in the right direction I feel, but the prices offered don't seem to quite match up with what I'd expect an OEM copy of Windows to cost.

Acer told me:
"Acer will refund you in accordance with the value of the Operating System shipped with your Acer product."

And that:
"Please be aware that shipment of the product to our repair centre and back to you after the removal of windows will be at your own expense."

So excuse me... You'll remove Windows at a cost to me, then refund the value of the OEM system?



Classic stuff. The only way this could be worthwhile is if the refunded value is good... Which it isn't. At all.

Acer said:
"XP Home, Vista Home Basic and Vista Business = 30 Euro (approximately ?20)
XP Professional, XP Media Centre and Vista Home Premium = 60 Euro (approximately ?40)"

Riiiiight. So XP Home costs the same as Vista Home Basic does it? I'm reasonably sure that Vista HB costs more than ?20. Infact this Amazon listing (not affiliate) indicates that it's like ?55. I've got to say, I'd rather have an OEM license key for Vista for ?20 than I would faff around with Acer.

However, Acer said that I'd be paying for the shipment of the product to and from the repair centre to get Windows removed from the machine. So - as a customer I would have to hope that shipping is less than the ?20 I'd be saving removing Vista. Which I'm 99% certain is not the case. I'd say it costs more to ship a 4lbs notebook to Plymouth and back than the ?20 I'd be refunded.

I'm sorry Acer, I won't be purchasing anything from you. NEXT!

Enjoy this article? Why not subscribe to the full RSS feed?




Did you like this article?
If you liked this article then please show your support and give me a Digg. If you'd like to get in touch with me, email me at steven.york@seopher.com
Want to stay updated?
Sign up to RSS updates by email (or subscribe to the full RSS feed)

Enter your email address:

Comments

Showing most recent 13 of 13 comments [View all comments]

i want to get laptop, but i can use it, please help me to learn it
alfian

help me to study well,,,please give me a modest laptop even it s refurbished
dewi_s_wahyuningtias@yahoo.co.id

i want a notebook but i dont have money to buy it. can you help me
dorsa

Dear sir
We are kids ministry voulenter in indonesia
We already colecting some fund from sponsor ,voulenter and also kids were joy get involved so we got LCD projector here its very helpful for kids like the multimedia
But for portable reason we need a notebook now( isnt new ones is ok but working) , Visit our ministry will be honour for us , sure we really like to coorporate for any needed ,thank you , REgards Gracious Family , Children Church_Assembly of God_Bunga Bakung_Surakarta_Indonesia_+62 271726340_Agus Setyo Budhi_hefree21@yahoo.com
Gracious Family

Click On This Link TO Get A Free Laptop: http://laptops.freepay.com/?r=40608544 IS NOT A SCAM!!! Proved 100% Legit By BBC and CCN

i’m a last student at university
i need laptop so much but i cant get cause i came from unlucky family
can anyone help me, please!!!
khoir

I want to get a notebook, but I don’t have a money. can you help me?
Rian Fitri

i have wanted a laptop forever but dont have a credit card or money to get it can you help please
by quinn

i want notebook, but i can’t buy it, i’m very needed, can you help me
andi

Good morning! My name is Laylo. I am from Uzbekistan. I know English little but I want go to the USA badly. I have question for you. Can you present me Notebook. I want it but I have not mony orcredit card.
Please, answer me...
by Laylo

I want it because i don’t have money
budi

I just want notebook for my college and study.
i don’t have money or credit card

is yhis a gage
scott


Add a comment





Prove you are real