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one of my friends is saying this is total bs...

this is what he said in an article...
Today there are a number of stories floating around about Microsoft forcing DELL and other PC makers to sell there computers with an Operating System. [Article on Slashdot.org]. This is totally not true. Microsoft is not forcing anyone to sell their computers with an operating system.

There is no announcement of this on Either Dell’s website or Microsoft's OEM website. Microsoft However encourages Computer makers who are Authorized OEM System builders like my self to Install an Operating System on the computers they build. I have emailed my Press Contacts at Microsoft and DELL asking them about this. I expect a reply with in the Next 24 hours

and he even phoned ms about this n they said it wasnt true, and he's even part of the ms oem team :S
 
This wouldn't be the first time that Dell has followed orders given them by Microsoft or Intel. If you want the volume discounts, you do what they say.

Notice the AMD processors and Linux available on Dell machines.

Remember when Apple bought NeXT? Dell was running its web store on WebObjects. Within the next month, it was not. Still, that could be a Michael-Dell-hates-all-things-Apple thing.

What happened, anyway? Did he try to talk Steve Jobs into selling clones and was rejected?
 
Originally posted by bousozoku
Remember when Apple bought NeXT? Dell was running its web store on WebObjects. Within the next month, it was not. Still, that could be a Michael-Dell-hates-all-things-Apple thing.

What happened, anyway? Did he try to talk Steve Jobs into selling clones and was rejected?
It's been a while, but I seem to remember that happening before the Apple/NeXT merger. I was eval'ing OpenStep at the time and a NeXT consultant told me that Microsoft had GIVEN Dell millions of dollars worth of free consulting and software to get the thing running on ASP. Meanwhile, the WebObjects version took the NeXT guys about 6 weeks to get out the door and couple more weeks teaking to make it run smoothly. It took MS over 6 months.

Disclaimer: This is all rumor - I can't prove any of it.
 
Originally posted by eric_n_dfw

It's been a while, but I seem to remember that happening before the Apple/NeXT merger. I was eval'ing OpenStep at the time and a NeXT consultant told me that Microsoft had GIVEN Dell millions of dollars worth of free consulting and software to get the thing running on ASP. Meanwhile, the WebObjects version took the NeXT guys about 6 weeks to get out the door and couple more weeks teaking to make it run smoothly. It took MS over 6 months.

Disclaimer: This is all rumor - I can't prove any of it.
A quick google groups search makes me think that maybe it WAS after the Apple merger.
 
does this really surprise anyone?
Microsoft knows they can do this crap and get away with it...so they do. they are like the spoiled little kid that never gets punished.
i really wish someone would send them to their room without supper.
what about a "windows ban"
in florida we have had "gas bans" a few times when gas prices got too high. we would do a statewide ban on gas where no body bought gas for a 24 hour period. it costs the gas companies millions and forces them to lower their prices.
 
Originally posted by SubFredZero
Who cares anyway ?

yeah.. he is kinda right

most of us x86 users on macrumors that know a thing or two about computers dont even use dells.. they usually build their own...

same with the ppl buying dells without an os -- they do it for convinience cause it saves them time.. also, it may not have been because of msoft.. it is much harder to test pcs without an os...
 
Originally posted by eric_n_dfw

A quick google groups search makes me think that maybe it WAS after the Apple merger.

Thank you! :D

Originally posted by SubFredZero

Who cares anyway ?

What? We're not allowed to have fun even if it doesn't matter?
 
Having a "gas ban" doesn't cost the companies millions as everyone just goes out the next day and buys extra or buys more the day before. People still need to get to work/the shops etc.. The same with software. Big business/education clients are the big buyers and they make decisions on a more rational and long term basis.
 
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