Dell has their main series of Dimension E520 desktops and then also the nSeries which offer the same hardware, but FreeDOS is included, rather than a Microsoft OS. At the time of this writing, the Dimension E520, Versatile Multimedia configuration is listed at $649. Comparatively, the nSeries near equivalent (E520N) is nearly the same.
| Dimension E520, Versatile Multimedia | nSeries near equivalent (E520N) |
| PentiumŪ D Processor 915 with Dual Core Technology (2.8GHz, 800FSB) | PentiumŪ D Processor 915 with Dual Core Technology (2.8GHz, 800FSB) |
| Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium | no OS installed, FreeDOS packaged |
| IntelŪ Graphics Media Accelerator X3000 | 256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE |
| 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs | 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs |
| 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache | 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache |
| 19 inch E197FP Analog Flat Panel | 19 inch E197FP Analog Flat Panel |
| 48X CD-RW/ DVD Combo Drive | 48X CD-RW/ DVD Combo Drive |
| McAfee Security Center 30-day trial | - |
| Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD | - |
| 1Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service | 1Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service |
| Price: $649 | Price: $669 |
The only significant difference is the bundled graphics card in the nSeries version. It cannot be downgraded to integrated graphics on the nSeries version, but can be upgraded on the Windows version. Once you make the upgrade, the only remaining difference will be the packaged software. To make this upgrade, the cost is merely $50 with Dell, and is in the customization settings on their webpage.
| 256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE | 256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE |
| Upgrade: +$50 | No Upgrade |
| Price: $699 | Price: $669 |
Then get the full Microsoft (OS and Works) refund, which runs about 78 Euro ($103 at time of this writing). For those who don't know, when you have pre-installed MS software, if you do not agree to the EULA, you can contact the manufacturer (Dell in this case), and the manufacturer is obligated to give you a refund for the software price (although some vendors, like Toshiba, void this clause in your sales contract). This is not some short time rebate. This is commonly known as the Microsoft Tax refund. You can get this on any computer that has Windows pre-installed, unless the vendor voids the clause in the EULA, and you can do it any time before the first time you agree to the MS EULA when you set up the computer. So, subtracting $103 puts the price at $596.
| MS Refund: -$103 | No MS Refund Available |
| Price: $596 | Price: $669 |
You might even be able to get further refunds for software such as the pre-installed anti-virus and DVD playing software. So essentially, you pay at least $70 MORE for FreeDOS, a product which you'll most likely not even use. Once again, thats $649 base price + $50 graphics card upgrade (to get the same hardware) - $103 for MS refund = $596, which is $70 less than the FreeDOS version. Why such a price discrepancy?
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