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Retrocomputing

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    Here in Germany, the "Windows tax is not mandatory". Many (currently 559) laptops are sold on Amazon.de with FreeDOS installed. I buy them when I want a laptop on which to install Linux, without having to pay for Windows license which I will not use. Commented Feb 5, 2018 at 13:29
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    @Mawg That's why all examples for Lenovo and HP end user offer point to German dealerships :) Commented Feb 5, 2018 at 13:31
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    @mawg my pcs don't come with a windows tax. They come with a "well-built" tax and OS X. Commented Feb 6, 2018 at 5:49
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    In poorer countries it's very commonplace for private individuals to buy computers with FreeDOS (because it's cheaper), so they can install pirated Windows on them. Commented Feb 6, 2018 at 7:17
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    @hackerb9 it’s typically not sold (it’s free), it’s an option available for customers looking for a licence-free computer; I imagine the vast majority of customers install a replacement OS, Windows using their own volume licence, or Linux, or something else perhaps. I guess manufacturers provide FreeDOS for two reasons: one is to allow the system to be boot-tested, another is to ensure the device sold is “fit for purpose” (which is a requirement in some countries) — the customer can nominally switch the computer on and use it as-is (for some value of “use” of course). Commented Feb 6, 2018 at 10:50