Ordered my new laptop, Windows free =D

[Edit:] Got the laptop, time to build KDE 😀

This is not a kde-related post, so you can skip it if you like. However, since I managed to achieve this awesome result, I thought it’s worth sharing it with the community 🙂

As you should’ve noticed,  I’m not on irc anymore because my old laptop broke¹ (after more than 4 years of honourable service), and it was my only computer at home. So, during this period, I looked for vendors that sell  linux-based laptops.  The criteria were the following:

• Linux powered, or no operating system at all (of course ;));
• 17″ screen size: since this laptop will be my only computer, I’m going to use it for coding, university stuff, multimedia and I don’t want to stress too much my eyes with smaller screen size  (I’m already myopic asd);
• Intel i3 or i5 processor;
• a good video card;
• a reasonable amount of ram and hard drive space 😛

Turned out that most of the vendors that respect my first criteria are located in US, and they can ship their products only in US and Canada (some of them to Europe, but with restrictions) . The only exeption was zareason which ships worldwide but first,  — what if the laptop will broke? I can’t wait months for being fixed — and second, they don’t provide a 17″ model at the moment (unlike System76 does, for example). Of course I found a couple of vendors in italy, but they are quite unknown compared with the aforementioned ones, with little possibility of customization too.

So, before my surrender, I decided to give a last try with my previous laptop vendor (www.enface.it). I was really happy with it: a very good machine², with an amazing audio and, a bright display and a good processor. Four years ago I was more naive than now, and when the retailer told me — “No, we aren’t allowed to sell you our laptops without XP” — I didn’t insisted; instead, I agreed.

But not this time.

After configuring the laptop according to my budget and wishes, here it is the most important part of our conversation:

Advisor:  “Now, by default this laptop comes out with windows7 Home Premium, but I think an upgrade to Professional would be a wise choice.”

Me: “Actually, I don’t want any Windows operating system at all.”

A: “What?”

M: “You heard me: I don’t want Windows in my laptop.”

A: “Well, this is not feasible because the vendor and Microsoft made an agreement, and we can’t overcome that.”

M: “I’m not pretty sure about that. I downloaded, printed and readed the full Windows7 EULA and, at page 1, it says — “By using the software, you accept these terms. If you do not accept them, do not use the software. Instead, return it to the retailer for a refund or credit” –. I’m saying I don’t want to use that software, ergo you don’t even have to waste your time with installing it; simply skip that step, subtract its cost and that’s all.

A: “I’m sorry, but we can’t. Furthermore, for a smoother and immersive desktop experience, we strongly recommend you Windows7.”

M: “I’m sorry for wasting your time then, because I have no intention on buying a laptop with Windows. I’ll try somewhere else. Sorry.”

A: “Hmm wait, let me make a call to the tech-support, ok?”

M: “Ok.”

[~30 seconds phone call]

A: “Ok, seems like it’s possbile to ship our laptops without OS. However, because of the agreement we and Microsoft made, the cost of the license is far different from the one you can find in a store. We can refund you 78€³ though.”

M: “That sounds great! Where should I sign?”

So yeah, an other little battle won against Micro$oft dictature 😀

If some you guys are in the same situation I was, just remember these two things:

1. never give up, be perseverant!
2. you are not asking anything illegal, neither you are stealing a percentage of the retailer’s income: it’s your right to refuse Microsoft EULA and, if the retalier doesn’t allow you doing so, he is acting illegally, not you!

I will receive my laptop in about a week, so expect an other blog post with more details soon 😛

Cheers !!
____________________________________________________
1: Because of an unfortunate event beyond my control, daaaamn ='( ^↑
2: if you are curious, check the tech details here (italian only) ^↑
3: About 104$, not so bad at all! ^↑