>Plus, if you're a linux guy, and the windows version is cheaper, just buy that and get the ubuntu image or drivers from dell support. This is not an option if

>Plus, if you're a linux guy, and the windows version is cheaper, just buy that and get the ubuntu image or drivers from dell support. This is not an option if you are opposed to the Windows Tax on principle. I am extremely uncomfortable with artificially boosting Windows sales and indirectly supporting a monopoly. And no, this by no means not a monopoly. Windows comes preinstalled on the overwhelming majority of computers today, and most of the time, there is no way around that. Most manufacturers even deny refunds, even when they are required to do so by law ("whatcha gonna do, sue us?"). For the record, I've been having "fun" with Lenovo trying to get my rightly deserved refund. I'm actually not adverse to taking this to court, but I'm a student and not exactly rich, so I don't know if I could afford that. It's my firm opinion that forced bundling should be outright illegal, and it somewhat already is. There's a consumer protection directive from the EU that forbids "agressive or unfair practices", which this most certainly falls under.