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Top five PC manufacturers fail naked PC test

Richard Thurston ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 16 Mar 2007 10:38 GMT

HP's elusive FreeDOS version

Hp Compaq n9420 An HP spokeswoman told us: "HP offer desktops with no operating system if requested by the customer (available via direct or indirect)."

The spokeswoman added that no refund would be made even if the customer declined the End User License Agreement (EULA). "If a customer does not require this [Windows] when placing the order and purchases an operating system, HP will not refund regardless of the End User License Agreement for Windows," she said.

Ian Dent, Linux Business Manager for HP, added more information on HP's policy. "There are two options: PCs with Windows and a version with FreeDOS." Dent said there was no minimum order, and the FreeDOS PCs could be ordered through any of HP's sales channels.

ZDNet UK asked HP for a URL from which readers could buy a FreeDOS-based PC. HP promised us the URL, but has not sent it.

HP's call centre told us that all machines come with Windows, and that it was not possible to buy any PCs without Windows.