Article says: "Dill will offer those customers..."

I guess they are trying to get themselves out of a pickle? *tee.hee* :)

The is the best thing any PC Manufacturer could have done. Should have always have been an option to not have the OS installed.

I can't think of one PC setup that I did for work / personal use that I did not remove the original installed software or Windows.

Now they need to offer "NO OS" and reprice it accordingly. It should be at least $100 - $400 less (I base the $400 if it were to come with Vista) then with it.

Dell's ship with OEM licenses, meaning, at most, it would drop the price $190 (Ultimate Edition OEM).

They aren't putting Retail licensed copies on these things.

IMHO since Windows ME Microsoft has never delivered but network software based on the old NT network idea (2000, XP, 2003 and Vista are all server software). A network based OS means additional problems and too much garbage when you are using a home personal computer only for Internet and standalone apps. I'd rather buy my personal desk- or laptop with a raw HD.

OMG.

Someone actually used and *liked* WinME?

Wow. I'd hate to have to pay the therapy bill for that guy.

ME is the worst I've ever seen. I installed it in 2000 and after 15 days of suffering I went back to Windows 98 SE. IMO maybe this failure made them stop offering but network products. But I believe that they should offer a not network based and light OS option for those who use their home personal desk- or laptop only for Internet and standalone apps. BTW that's why I use Linux now at home.

Like stuff that is sugar-free or fat-free how much more will it cost you?

Most of the stuff that comes preloaded on computers is garbage anyway.

FINALLY!!! Dell makes a smart move for a change! It's about time!

bout freakin time

Dill [sic]... those guys are finally starting to listen... too bad their computers suck so so bad, especially their notebooks. They make great monitors though!

This is a good move, Dell is actually listening to their customers. Let's look at the list.
1)Building AMD-based systems.
2)Selling decent-priced systems retail at Walmart and Sams.
3)Offering cheaper systems preloaded with Ubuntu.
4)Removal of !some!,but not all crapware.

From time to time I build computers for friends, using old computers. What I install on those is Win2k, will the full updates and service packs, of course. My idea of essential software is ZoneAlarm Free, Avast Antivirus, IZarc, Adobe PDF, CDBurner XP pro, Adaware and Spybot, Irfan View, and maybe a few other toys. As you can see, I install freeware that I know is NOT crapware. The idea is to leave to my friends the choice as to what extras THEY want and need. In case you were wondering I usually end up earning a thank you and a few bucks. :P But it's the fun in building those computers for people that is what makes me do it.

Now if I had a choice I would install some type of Linux OS but, hell, finding one that is user friendly is not so simple for people that wonder where the ON switch is.

About all that software on Dell and other makers? Those that produce all the software installed on those computers must be paying for being installed on those computers, right? So that means extra revenues if not the MAIN revenue for Dell and similar companies right? So, expect them to raise the price of the computers they offer. I mean think about it. How much Vista or XP cost when you buy it off the shelf? Then add to that the price of a "naked" computer. The cost of BOTH would cost more than the Dell you get with all the software installed INCLUDING the operating system, no?

Try PCLinuxOS, its really new user oriented, plus its great for the experienced user.

ZoneAlarm Free, Avast Antivirus, IZarc, Adobe PDF, CDBurner XP pro, Adaware and Spybot, Irfan View,

Check out the Eset Smart Security Beta and you can get rid of ZoneAlarm, Avast, adaware, and spybot.

IMGburn is a really great (free) CD burner that not only burns images, but can now create them as well.

Yup, some of those programs are very usful expecially spybot, adaware, and avast.

I absolutely hate all that preloaded junk on new PCs. Instead of trying to remove it, I always wipe the hard-drive and start fresh. *Maybe* Dell will have a low enough junk-software load to deal with now. Maybe.

"Dill will offer those customers an untinstall program to clear off unwanted software."

ANOTHER PRIZE WINNING ARTICLE FROM BETANEWS!
...filled with spelling errors (as usual) and no real in depth details for technical readers of this site (are there really any "techies" who actually read betanews.com for it's journalism?)

Cliff-notes are fine for those who don't care to be informed - but by calling yourself a NEWS site, why not at least deliver the news?

Here is a link for those of us who want more than cliff-notes and a pretty purple background:
http://direct2dell.com/o...e/2007/06/13/18049.aspx

Just leave the dang site then. Whats so hard about that!

I like pretty purple backgrounds... what's your excuse?

So does no garbage equal higher price since these companies pay Dell to put it on there?

Hey, maybe they could produce a special "completely-full-of-crapware" version and give it away for nothing..? ;)

I'm still going to have to remove Google Tools, Adobe Reader, and the Antivirus software.

In the past I was just better off reloading the entire PC from scratch.

What a damn joke.

This is nothing new. Dell has already been offering a "no software preinstalled" option for some time. I had this option when I bought my Dell Inspiron E1505 Intel Core 2-based laptop (before Vista was released). The laptop still came with all of Dell's junk and I had to do a fresh install of Windows XP.

What, they don't consider Adobe Reader, Google tools and McAfee antivirus as junk?

I agree regarding McAfee and Google, but Adobe Reader isn't a bad product, it's better than Foxit.

Don't believe me? Compare print and preview quality and all modes between the two clients. Also, compare the rendering.

A major vendor will not use 3rd party freeware applications from a small developer to replace what Adobe will PAY them for.

not trying to be a smart azz here but there's a couple of typos on the last line ...

"Dill will offer those customers an untinstall program"

The spell checker should have at *least* caught the untinstall one. :p

LOL.

Dude there are a TON of spelling and grammar errors on this site. It's amazing really.

I thought they would have fixed it by now.

Finally.

Damn, I was picking up good spare change removing the crap.

Finally, no need to fresh install on new computer.

How about an option of no software including the operating system at a reduced price?

you can now get Dells with Ubuntu 7.04 which is even better than no operating system.

HP has offered PC DOS as an option for years now.

Dell's used to have that option on Optiplexes and Latitudes, but the damand never caught up to the supply--that and the Windows XP Home preinstall option ended up being as cheap or cheaper than the OSless versions, so companies just bought Windows XP Home units and reimaged them all to whatever they wanted instead.

OEM Windows XP Home is available to individuals for less than $90 USD--and since Dell partners with Microsoft, and they purchase hundreds of thousands of OS licenses annually, I'd imagine they get Windows much, much cheaper. Also, for every PC that isn't preloaded with the "junk" software, that's one less computer they get compensated for providing the "free trial" antivirus and internet software, plus all that other stuff vendors pay Dell to put on their PCs.

All in all, an OSless PC costs the same if not more than a PC without software because of all the agreements Dell has with other third party companies.