"Freelance programmer Dave Mitchell ordered a Dell laptop on 21 October, and the machine was delivered a few days later. As Mr Mitchell was planning to run the Linux open source operating system on the machine, he had no need for the copy of Windows XP Home that had been pre-installed. When he started it for the first time, he clicked the box that said "no" on the Windows licence agreement that asked him to agree to its terms. The text of this agreement states users can get a refund for the "unused products" on their new computer if they get in touch with the machine's manufacturer." BTW, Dell did not even require (as of yet) that this user return the installation disc for the applicable Windows OS. Man - Europe doesn't seem to give a hoot about Billy being sort of an icon over here! They are always eager to stick it to him at the slightest opportunity. BBC News

and again ... here's a link to the actual letter that may save you $100 on each computer you purchase at dell: http://www.linuxworld.com/community... 'windows refund yes - windows refund policy no' is dell's official position at the moment. but always worth a try to claim back the windows tax. and billy being an icon or not over there ... with some people this highway men mentality doesn't go down to well ... and dell seems to be smart enough to bag the money rather than taking back the entire computer (as long as their oem license is not threatened, that is ... you know, one phone call from your icon or one of his lackeys could change that :-). Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'

Dell may have done that in good faith and hopefully their arbitration act doesn't set off a string of similar occurences. IMHO, the guy knew what he was getting (Windows Preinstalled laptop) before he paid & got possession of the notebook. The so implied "analysis of your obligation to refund me" by that author is flawed on at least a few grounds, but it was probably not worth the negative publicity for Dell, nor the probability of restocking the notebook as you hinted. And the hush money wasn't a bad bargain or is it..........

not at all ... and fair play to dell in all honesty Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'

My take on this is that Dell is doing it as a good-will gesture. It is not to be constructed that if one succeed in getting money back and keeping the PC, others will get the same treatment. i_XpUser

I still can't get my sales tax back from Dell after I returned the second defective laptop over a 5 month grueling episode or everyday calls to the call center. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you goober.