Linux Notebooks: Why aren't they cheaper than Windows notebooks?

[Nitemare]

I'm proud to say that both of my kids have taken a warming to the Linux OS. My son is sold on it completely and my daughter tolerates it more and more as she becomes proficient. I wanted to get them some notebooks for Christmas this year so I've already started shopping around. What I'm finding is, well... irritating.

I'm curious why a Linux laptop ISN'T cheaper than a windows laptop. You'd think, with all of the fees and licenses that the manufacturer DIDN'T have to pay to MS that the unit would be less expensive. This is not the case. I inquired about OS free units too... same damn price. One manufacturer offered a linux unit $30 cheaper than a windows unit.

Can anyone explain this phenomenon? I was always told that computers were expensive because of all of the pre-loaded software. If the software costs NOTHING... or if I take the hardware without any software at all... where is my price break?

Could they have been telling us lies all this time?

[lordsmurf]

Lies. OEMs get steep discounts on the software.

[tekkieman]

OEMs can pay as much as $50 for Windows, all the way down to almost free. Then they get "kickbacks" for each piece of pre-installed trial crapware. I have not seen what Dell is shipping with their pre-installed linux laptops, but I have not heard of any linux machines shipping with crapware pre-installed. Thankfully, not everything runs on linux. :P

Per the license agreement, you can refuse the EULA for Windows. In theory, you could order one with Windows, refuse the license agreement, and the OEM is supposed to refund the cost of the Windows license. Good luck with that. I have read stories of people who have got the refund, but I don't believe everything I read on the internet...

[freebird73717]

I inquired about OS free units too... same damn price.

That sucks! I was going to start looking for a new laptop for my wife without an OS so I could install linux. I thought surely it would be cheaper that way. Man that sucks!

[RLT69]

Not sure what your budget is but Dell has a Linux laptop (Inspiron 1525N) using Ubuntu 7 for $549.

Specs:

Intel® Pentium(R) Dual Core™ T2330 (1.60GHz/500Mhz FSB/1MB cache)
Ubuntu Linux version 7.10 with DVD Playback
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
CD / DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
120GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
High Definition Audio 2.0
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
28 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (4 cell)
Jet Black
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_1525?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&...n~29~linux_3~~

Hope that helps

[edDV]

A no OS PC notebook would still need testing. OS removal, documentation and support issues probably add net cost to the mfgr.

If it was a desktop, you could save (or get a more supportable machine) by building your own and installing Linux.