Thinkpads Forum

I am considering purchasing a Thinkpad and I have no use whatever for Windows. In this case, in theory, Microsoft's own End User Licence Agreement says I should return the Windows CD-ROM to Lenovo and get the money back. In reality, some Windows resellers actually implement this while many others don't. How does Lenovo behave in that regard, in your experience ?

That's been tried before with no luck. One of the agreeing principles of purchasing a Thinkpad is that you, the purchaser, accept it with the preloaded software as is and that you accept the terms of agreement set forth by Microsoft.

You wouldn't save that much anyways by not having an MS OS pre-installed (XPP or Vista). You're better off simply accepting the terms and once received, install any distro you like... Not a big deal really.

icantux wrote: You're better off simply accepting the terms and once received, install any distro you like... Not a big deal really.

It is a big deal.
Why do you give money to anyone against you own will?
That is just deadly wrong, just because of this passive position ...
PS. I know about deals with SLED

A couple of things:
1. The amount of money for a Windows OEM pre-load license is pretty small (although I agree that, if you don't wish to use Windows, you should not have to pay for it).
2. I thought I read here that some ThinkPads come with Linux (I don't need a ThinkPad with Linux, so I forget where I read it).
3. Buy a different make of laptop with Linux preloaded.
... JDH

4. Like it or not, having Windows on a machine increases its resale value. I buy my ThinkPads with Windows just so I can sell it installed when the time comes.

I'm fairly certain that a lot of possible answers vary depending on the particular market, and I have no clue whatsoever about the French one, but...

a) There are ThinkPads offered with Linux pre-load, but the real question here is whether it's the distro that you're looking for?

b) In Australia, they do offer like a dozen different Linux flavours, but you have to pay something like $60-70 Australian for that...

c) I agree with the principle that you shouldn't be forced to pay for something that you don't intend to use at all.

d) There were ThinkPads in the past that left the factory with no pre-load at all, and I've owned several of these. However, none of these were purchased new by myself, so I'd imagine that they were ordered by large companies which then put their own version of XP on them...my wife still has a T42p that fits this description (2378-EZU), and I've owned at least one R50p with a similar story. How one can actually order something like this, I can't answer, though.

e) My advice would be to buy whatever ThinkPad you're looking at with cheapest HDD imaginable, pull it out and put it aside. Put in a nice blank new one, load the distro of your choice and enjoy. And, when the time comes for the ThinkPad to be sold, just swap the drives.

Just my $0.02, obviously, typed on an A31p running Linux Mint while having a W2K COA...

well, "Lenovo recommends Windows Vista® Business." that what you have on the shop.lenovo.com
and you have a choice of extensivity of limitations ranging from XP Pro to Vista Ultimate

For Linux preloaded laptop you have to know exactly what to look for.

I would say this situation is pretty close to monopoly, which i can not appreciate for personal taste and from economical standpoint.

AFAIK not preloaded thinkpads are available for a bulk purchase only.

PS: I whould rather sign an agreement not to have any OS preloaded rather accept MS EULA.

ajkula66 wrote:I'm fairly certain that a lot of possible answers vary depending on the particular market, and I have no clue whatsoever about the French one

In France, it is forbidden to force a customer buying a product to buy another one. So, very clearly, you do get the money back. In theory. In practice, you have to sue, which is long, may cost more than what you get in the end, and can fail. Some makes offer PCs, including laptops, with no OS or with Linux, but the quality is not anywhere near a Thinkpad. But I realise I probably should ask for the policy of Lenovo France, specifically.

interesting this thread as its the first think i will ask Lenovo Spain if i finally going to purchase a thinkpad. As far as i know theres been few cases in Spain where Dell actually refund with the money, but it was not easy, still didnt need to go to court or any like it...