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