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I have gotten so many mixed signals on this that I have given up and helped people build their own computers, from Newegg. Except for laptops, it's been working. Lenovo claims to have Linux based Thinkpads, but twice now, they denied their existence. They have also denied selling TP's without disks, but I know someone who got 12 of them that way. So buying computers without the MS tax is hard. You might be able to go to a local computer store and get an OS free machine but beware that some stores automatically roll Windows into the price. I'm all ears for new sources. --STeve Andre' On 06/24/13 09:43, Rivard, Ronald wrote: > > MSU's Dell rep, Pat Hug [log in to unmask] > <mailto:[log in to unmask]>, would be a good resource for some > help. Pat can find out if Dell is currently able to upload an image > without an OS. > > /ron rivard > > *From:*Wortz, Josh [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > *Sent:* Monday, June 24, 2013 8:52 AM > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* Re: [MSUNAG] Possible to Buy Dell or any other major brand > Pc without an OS? > > You could use Dell ImageDirect. This allows you to pre-build your > image through a web interface which allows you to enter your own keys > or you can upload your own image. Then when you order your computers, > you should be able to order them pre-imaged. I used this at a previous > employer when I had to order dozens of laptops/desktops at a time. > > *Joshua Wortz* > > RHCT - RHEL5 | MCSE - 2K3 | MCTS - Exchange 2007 | MCTS - Vista - > Configuration | MCDST > > Systems Administrator > > Collaborative Services & Support @ IT Services > > Michigan State University > > [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>__ > > 517.432.5304 (Office) > > *From:* Al Puzzuoli [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > *Sent:* Friday, June 21, 2013 12:01 PM > *To:* [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > *Subject:* [MSUNAG] Possible to Buy Dell or any other major brand Pc > without an OS? > > Hi all, > > We are looking at upgrading our department's Assistive Technology lab > this summer. We want to purchase all-in-one touch screen PCs, and are > currently focusing on the Dell XPS27. I would prefer to buy something > in the Optiplex line, perhaps the Optiplex 9020, except that in order > to use some of our assistive technologies, we require HDMI in, and the > optiplex apparently only offers HDMI out. I want to roll a Windows 8 > Enterprise image out to all these machines, so really don't see the > need to spend money at time of purchase for an OS, but according to > our Dell rep, they won't sell us a machine without some version of > Windows. He stated that the Windows 8 Enterprise licenses sold by > our computer store are "upgrade only", so we would be out of > compliance with Microsoft in any case if we were to install that > version to a bare machine. Can anyone shed more light on this? Is > there any way to get around the waste of buying a machine with a > version of Windows which will immediately be blown away and never used > again? > > The rep did indicate they do offer the option of selling select > machines with Linux installed but alas, they apparently don't do that > for any of the machines we are interested in. > > Thanks, > > Al Puzzuoli > > Michigan State University > > Information Technologist http://www.rcpd.msu.edu > > Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities 517-884-1915 120 Bessey > Hall East Lansing, MI 48824-1033 >