Simple way of saving money on brandname computers.

Paris Hilton · 30-06-2006, 08:04 PM

You buy a new brandname computer, and it costs you $1600 or whatever. (Who buys brandname computers? Laptops.)

Anyway, these computers come with Windows XP pre-installed. It's usually Home Edition too.

So, if you have another Operating System, or another "legal" copy of Windows, what's stopping you from refusing the EULA?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Microsoft End User License Agreement

If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, PC Manufacturer and
Microsoft are unwilling to license the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to you. In
such event, you may not use or copy the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, and you
should promptly contact PC Manufacturer for instructions on return
of the unused products(s) for a refund.

Return the windows, get money back then use your own version, sounds fairly good to me.

3Toed · 30-06-2006, 08:46 PM

S3SR · 30-06-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paris Hilton

You buy a new brandname computer, and it costs you $1600 or whatever. (Who buys brandname computers? Laptops.)

Anyway, these computers come with Windows XP pre-installed. It's usually Home Edition too.

So, if you have another Operating System, or another "legal" copy of Windows, what's stopping you from refusing the EULA?

Return the windows, get money back then use your own version, sounds fairly good to me.

the thing stopping you from agreeing to the EULA is it will quit if you disagree..

not sure if you can return the windows..then again never bought brand name always assembled myself but once the OS is opened it cant be returned...and you already know the CDkey so its not possible

hope thats relevant
FalconSR

30-06-2006, 10:40 PM

I'll have a stab at the first statement, about who buys brand names...

lots of people buy brand name laptops/computers walk into any bank, any telco, and business and you'll see the exact same machine on each desk. Why, few reasons, number 1 is the price, the big brands what to sell volume so business get a good deal based on the number they buy, I am not talking 20 or 50 more like 1000.

never dealt with anything less than 1500 at a time. either both desktop or notebook.

Also another reason, its always the same machine, stems from the fact that tech support, DO NOT EVER WANT 1000 different machines around. It makes the job to harder, they use a program called "ghost" (or equiv) to imagine them up. takes about 5 minutes to do a machine from scratch, instead of the 50mins manually... also the same machine means the same drivers, same specs again much easier to control and service.

Another reason is, for after sales support, Which IMHO can not be beaten by HP, you have a serious problem with a machine (dead anything), and its replace within 24 hours...(aka warranty).

Again from a technical point of view this saves time and money.. although it has been factored into the equation from the beginning.......

so your average joe of the street might not, but many many people do. Actually don't know any "generic" notebooks, desktops heaps. but I guess the people that don't have the knowledge will buy a brand name.. just like people buy fords.. for one reason or another weather that be, image status, quality, reliability, service, warranty and many more.

Not sure about your windows question. But I assume that if you have bought a machine, your either have preinstalled windows, or been sold a physically copy of it.

in which case, the person that sold you that machine, does not give a rats, if you re-installed a pir8 copy its not his problem anymore, you have paid for the licence and he has given it to you.

How do you give a pre-installed o/s back? he has sold it to you weather your aware of it or not. Or the recovery cd's..

not sure about your questions, that's just how I read it...

note: just remembered, not sure if o/seas notebooks are classed as genertic or not, but some of the ones that come out of tawian, etc etc... who knows as you can not read the labelling anyway.. ;) not being racist, but the yung phat 1600 could be anything, maybe its as big in tawien as toshiba is in japan.. nfi?? but if it was that big maybe it's not generic anyway.. point is some of the ones that come out of tawian look like they are just no name brands... re-badged...

Paris Hilton · 01-07-2006, 12:27 AM

I don't remember this being a debate about people buying brand name computers, i'm using one right now.

You return the licence and supplied media.

They use PXE Boot to image new computers.

01-07-2006, 01:05 AM

You buy a new brandname computer, and it costs you $1600 or whatever. (Who buys brandname computers? Laptops.)

Sorry I thought you were asking a question..

Dont understand what you were saying then.....

can you explain it better?

**Mechan1k** · 01-07-2006, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Toed

I was wondering when someone was going to find the O RLY owl smiley

Tote · 01-07-2006, 09:40 AM

I'm pretty sure that if you order a commercial machine you can elect to not have an OS supplied anyway, that way you don't have to return it. You would have to order it from a reseller of direct though, I can't see Harvey Norman doing it for you.
Regards,
Tote

charles_wif_xf · 01-07-2006, 12:14 PM

For myself, I never buy brand name. One, I want to assemble the beast myself and two, I can get the parts for about half the total purchase price of a brand named computer specced to my standards.

Paris Hilton · 02-07-2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tote

I'm pretty sure that if you order a commercial machine you can elect to not have an OS supplied anyway, that way you don't have to return it. You would have to order it from a reseller of direct though, I can't see Harvey Norman doing it for you.
Regards,
Tote

Nah, they won't. Alot of people have tried it (because they use Linux), but have been unsuccessful. Apparently it's a requirement.

Quasi · 02-07-2006, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paris Hilton

You buy a new brandname computer, and it costs you $1600 or whatever. (Who buys brandname computers? Laptops.)

Anyway, these computers come with Windows XP pre-installed. It's usually Home Edition too.

So, if you have another Operating System, or another "legal" copy of Windows, what's stopping you from refusing the EULA?

Return the windows, get money back then use your own version, sounds fairly good to me.

Well, for a start you don't normally get an actual CD of Windows XP, you get a recovery disc, which is an image, not Windows XP....as such. This recovery disc reimages, or if you like restores the software to the exact state it was the first time you booted the PC, or laptop.

There is nothing stopping you from formatting the HDD and installing your own Windows XP and whatever other software you have. The disadvantage, especially with laptops (because you sometimes don't know what brand, or model, the hardware is), is that you will need to have ALL matching drivers for installed/inbuilt hardware, such as sound, video, USB, etc. In most instances you are better off going this way, as long as you OWN the operating system (Windows or Linux) that you are installing, as pre-built "Drone" PCs and laptops are full of advertising material (ISP software and bloatware that the manufacturer has been paid money to include in the package).

I must say one thing however. Unless you know your way around a computer don't screw with it. Too many wannabes think they know what they are doing because they've read a few articles in 'PC USER', and find out the hard way that there is a big difference between thinking they know, and the people who do. When I had my shop I lost count of how many phone calls I took from people who wanted to save a few bucks by screwing with something they didn't really understand.

Faker · 02-07-2006, 02:54 AM

$1600 up front, full refund for XP Home Ed of $167 - $200 = $1400 for a system with no OS you could have bought for $700 including a 19" LCD monitor, DVD Burner etc.
Just build one yourself or pay someone to do it for you with no OS with a huge saving on systems from Harvey Norman or the like.
It is not as difficult as some would have you believe but you must follow the instructions carefully and be aware of what static can do to the components if not handled correctly.

Brand name computers.
Over the years Acer has gained an unfounded reputation for average quality but IBM, HP etc have built a very good reputation (More based on cost than quality).
It's difficult to understand when, during the period of gaining the good reputation, IBM and HP used motherboards supplied by ALI (Acer Labs), the same Intel or AMD processors and the same brand plug in cards and RAM.
If you think badge engineering is common with cars you would be amazed with levels achieved with computer components.

There are plenty of decent and honest builders out there who would gladly put a system together with no OS for a massive saving over a system from an appliance or furniture retailer.

OldManGhia · 02-07-2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggee

Another reason is, for after sales support, Which IMHO can not be beaten by HP, you have a serious problem with a machine (dead anything), and its replace within 24 hours...(aka warranty).

I wouldn't be to sure about HPs after sales support. Check out this link.

http://www.break.com/index/crappyprinterhp.html

Steve

02-07-2006, 03:21 PM

dealt with them for 5 years and had zero problem, but that's a few years ago now...
i guess peoples experinces differ.. ;)

DTFRMONT · 02-07-2006, 09:21 PM

My current desktop is an Acer. I've had it for about 18 months & I've had no problems at all with it, about the only difference with computers these days is the case.
On another note, anyone after a cheap notebook would be wise to check out Myers - I bought a Toshiba Notebook with a Centrino processor (1.7) & all the other goodies (wi-fi, DVD burner) for just under $1100 - the original price on the box was $2500! The kid who served me said that they were all going out cheap due to the change in ownership of myers (clearing out old stock). they had other laptops for $799 & under!

jonk · 02-07-2006, 10:34 PM

The actual refund for XP is $60.

Bluefreak · 02-07-2006, 11:18 PM

go here and get a good deal and negotiate the software you do/don't want...

http://www.cpl.net.au/

Faker · 03-07-2006, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTFRMONT

My current desktop is an Acer. I've had it for about 18 months & I've had no problems at all with it, about the only difference with computers these days is the case.
On another note, anyone after a cheap notebook would be wise to check out Myers - I bought a Toshiba Notebook with a Centrino processor (1.7) & all the other goodies (wi-fi, DVD burner) for just under $1100 - the original price on the box was $2500! The kid who served me said that they were all going out cheap due to the change in ownership of myers (clearing out old stock). they had other laptops for $799 & under!

Good score with the Laptop.
I myself have an Acer desktop bought in 1997 that I use to test components because it will run anything. In 9 years I have replaced the Floppy once, that's it. Oh I also upgraded it from a 166mhz to a blistering 233mhz (socket 7) to enable it to run XP.
The Acer name is gaining a better reputation these days but there was no reason for it to have a poor reputation in the first place.

Laptops: Toshiba Top line = $3000, Toshiba budget model (same screen size) = $1199. Updates to the budget model to make it the same internal specs (HDD, RAM etc) = $ 300.00.
More people pay $3000, why? Expensive means better doesn't it?

Let's not get started on TVs.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 03-07-2006, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluefreak

go here and get a good deal and negotiate the software you do/don't want...

http://www.cpl.net.au/

msy is cheaper.. I always compare their prices before buying something. I'm getting a 2GB SD chip for my camera tomorrow... $71!!!!!!!!! lol!!

BlueRaven · 03-07-2006, 12:55 PM

I seriously doubt you would be able to return the CD to most companies. As Quasi and ziggee said, most companies use recovery cds or recovery partitions (in the case of IBM for instance). So when purchasing an IBM laptop, you will not receive a CD at all.

Also worth noting is that with Microsoft licensing, if a machine is liscensed for a particular version of Windows, you cannot install on older version of Windows on the same computer. So if a laptop is licensed for Windows XP, you can't put a copy of Windows 2000 on that.

Whether anyone follows that rule or not i'm not sure, but you can never be too careful in the corporate world.

OldManGhia · 03-07-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

Also worth noting is that with Microsoft licensing, if a machine is liscensed for a particular version of Windows, you cannot install on older version of Windows on the same computer. So if a laptop is licensed for Windows XP, you can't put a copy of Windows 2000 on that.

Its your pc/laptop so you can put on it any software you want. The problem is in the EULA for the software you want to use. Generally if it is OEM software as most are these days then LEGALLY you cant put that software on any other machine. In the case of XP there is even a chance you'll get done for piracy if you do. (XP has to be activated).

Also, you will have the hassle of trying to get device drivers to suit the OS you put on and I would say its not worth the bother to save a few dollars.