Many computer manufacturers bake in the cost of Microsoft’s Windows operating system into the systems they sell. Microsoft has even gone so far that it once wanted no computers to be sold without a Windows license to fight piracy. The problem is that not all customers want to use Windows. Linux users have been enraged by Microsoft’s statement and at the same time had a very hard time working around the license cost. A stubborn customers has now managed to make Dell pay him back for his unused copy of Windows XP.
Dave Mitchell of the UK received a copy of Windows XP Home SP2 with his Dell Inspirion 640m laptop, but the freelance programmer never used the operating system but installed Linux instead. After contacting Dell he managed to get his money back by sending them his unused copy of Windows XP, but at the same time NetworkWorld points out that not all laptop customers are as successful.
It’s namely up to the manufacturer if you will be able to return your copy or not. Microsoft’s license agreement is namely a bit foggy and Dell has said that the case of Dave Mitchell is unique. But it neither excludes nor promises similar paybacks in the future. The future for Linux who wants their money back seems to be a bit uncertain.
