====== Trying to buy a laptop without Windows installed - Part 1, Dell Telephone "Helpline" ======


Recently (October 2011) I have been trying to buy a laptop which I wish to run Linux on, this was an example web conversation with a rep from Dell who clearly knows how to follow a script and not much else. For completeness, our Business salesman commented that Dell *can* supply some business grade laptops without a pre-installed OS. Still not a laptop running Linux "out of the box" but I would probably want to install my own choice of Linux Distro anyway.



  		11/08/2011 08:29:50PM
   		Session Started with Agent (Harpal_Jubbal)
  
  		11/08/2011 08:29:50PM
   		Andrew: "On your website, you have the phrase "Dell recommends
  windows7". Unfortunately I cannot see any other choices for operating
  systems if I do not want to use windows7. Please advise."
  
  		11/08/2011 08:29:59PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "Welcome to Dell Chat Sales, This is Harpal, your
  Dell Sales Advisor. My email address is harpal_jubbal@dell.com Hope you're
  doing well?"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:30:03PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "Hello Andrew"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:30:30PM
   		Andrew: "On your website, you have the phrase "Dell recommends
  windows7". UInfortunately I cannot see any other choices for operating
  systems if I do not want to use windows7. Please advise."
  
  		11/08/2011 08:30:43PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "Well the non ship-fast models are customisable,
  as they don't fall under the readily available category"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:31:08PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "Hence they can be customised accordingly with
  either the Professional/Windows-7 Ultimate version"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:31:09PM
   		Andrew: "Thanks, so what OS choice do you offer?"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:31:16PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "Our systems are shipped ready to use. Therefore
  they come pre-loaded with MS Office Starter, OS, Macafee (Anti-Virus)
  which is a part of the Offer/Bundle.."
  
  		11/08/2011 08:32:34PM
   		Andrew: "Thanks, but this seems like only Microsoft operating systems, which is
  probably only w7 now. I do not want w7, so what are the alternative
  choices?"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:33:03PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "I'm afraid we don't have another option at the
  moment"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:33:22PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "I'll keep a track and will email you, if any
  other option comes up"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:34:27PM
   		Andrew: "Thanks, usually when a recommendation is made, it is because
  there is a choice, but Dell does not seem to offer a choice, so it can not
  really offer a recommendation?"
  
   
  		11/08/2011 08:35:52PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "It'll be a pleasure to help you again, If you'd
  like to contact me in future please come back on chat and take my name."
  
  		11/08/2011 08:36:20PM
   		Andrew: "If I do not have a choice about what OS is loaded, and since I
  don't agree with Microsoft's licence, I should be able to decline the licence and
  claim a refund for the unused software after I install my choice?"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:37:09PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "Our systems are shipped ready to use. Therefore
  they come pre-loaded with MS Office Starter, OS, Macafee (Anti-Virus)
  which is a part of the Offer/Bundle.."
  
  		11/08/2011 08:37:24PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "Unfortunately there isn't an option for a
  downgrade"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:39:04PM
   		Andrew: "Actually I don't want to downgrade it, I want to upgrade the OS 
  to something better, more secure and easier to use, Linux. As I don't use windows, 
  paying for software I don't ever intend to use is just like a hardware tax payable to
  Microsoft."
  
  		11/08/2011 08:39:59PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "I'm afraid we don't have an option as such at
  the moment for a different OS"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:41:01PM
   		Andrew: "Thanks, I don't think I'll be buying Dell at this time. Please
  pass on my comments regarding a lost sale to your sales and marketing
  department."
  
  		11/08/2011 08:41:03PM
   		Andrew: "Regards, Andrew"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:41:27PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "Sure"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:41:40PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "I really wish we could've done something"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:41:45PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "we honour your decision"
  
  		11/08/2011 08:41:51PM
   		Agent (Harpal_Jubbal): "Thank you for contacting Dell Sales Chat and
  allowing me the opportunity to assist you. Have a wonderful Day ahead."
  
  		11/08/2011 08:42:21PM
   		Session Ended