Microsoft's first listed "Top Knowledgebase Article" on technet

[Kevin Brown]

Yes, you can buy servers without an OS, but you can't buy workstations, laptops 
or desktops without one.

> I thought you can buy Dell without M$. Two years back, I ordered one dual
> processor server configuration with no software. For WinNT, they said that
> they would charge $250.

>>I refuse to buy the prebuilt systems from Dell because I have no choice,
> 
> but to
> 
>>pay that fee for M$ office.  I don't mind paying for things I want or will
> 
> use,
> 
>>but to have something forced on me and charged for it is outrageous.
>>
>>
>>>I think that it's funny that linux represents a threat to Microsoft.
>>>It's kind of like the ultimate answer to the predator that they
>>>are...they gave their Office application away for years and now that
>>>they have everyone hooked...they cranked up the price.
>>>
>>>Interestingly, a friend of mine bought a few Dell computers and said
>>>that he got Office Small Business Edition for only like $ 50-60 per. I
>>>suspect that OpenOffice likewise represents a threat to them