[PLUG] Laptop Reseller Whoas

["W. Chris Shank" <chris.shank@acetechgroup.com>]

Background: I'm trying to add a Linux-powered laptop to my hardware
offering. It is pretty much impossible to get the parts and build your
own laptop (without buying the parts in the millions), so I thought I'd
see if WinBook - who has a pretty agressive reseller program for
integrators could give me one's without Windows installed. This is the
response I received from them.


**************************************************************
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your interest in our "Critically Proven" WinBook
Computers. We
confirm that due to our licensing agreement with Microsoft, we are
unable to
provide a notebook without an Operating System. We apologize for any
inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions, please
feel
free to call 1-800-254-7806 and we will be happy to assist
you.
Thank You
WinBook Technical Sales
winsales@winbook.com

***************************************************************

What I think is most amazing is their admission that they cannot sell
them without _an_ operating system because of their agreement with
Microsoft. I've heard dozens of reasons why Toshiba or Dell or Sony
(etc) won't sell wihtout an OS - and it's usually some BS about full
functionality, user experience, etc.

Now someone in the know - please tell me if I'm wrong - but didn't MS
have to release this restriction on it's OEM's as part of the DOJ
settlement?

FYI: Here was my reply - but I don't expect to hear back from them:

*****************************************************************
What if I were to give you the Linux image to install yourself, then you
could sell them to me with an operating system (Linux) installed. Or are
you not allowed to sell a notebook without a Microsoft Operating System?
If that is the case - isn't that in violation of the settlement agreement
between Microsoft and the Department of Justice?

If I were to resell WinBooks, but first immediately removed Windows,
replacing it with Linux - not even booting into Windows once, would I be
entitled to a refund for the OS? Would I get that from you or Microsoft?

Thank you

Chris Shank





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