I compared the one I bought (naked) to an equivalent one (with Windows). They were both low end, but the naked one I bought was about $1300 and the one with Windows was a little over $1500. That's a difference. Although technically, the laptop came with (not installed) a cd for Thiz Linux. I still have the cd somewhere..
I'm not really sure equivalent is good enough when you are only talking about $200. It hard to know what the discount these places are getting is but I suspect it is a large amount and that other variations between the two computers account for the majority of the price difference.
The cost of Windows is non-zero. That's too much for a piece of software that I have no intention of using.
I wish they would give me the option. It's fine if most computers come with Windows, but it would be nice if I could give up the license they'd be giving me in exchange for $150 or something.
It annoys me that Microsoft pressures them not to sell naked PCs, though. Forcing people to buy Windows (or another OS) when they buy their computer isn't the best way to stop piracy.
I think attempting to get $ back for not getting Windows is unlikely to happen. I also accept that Microsoft may have some sort of lockin deal so the company may not be installing Windows on the computer but they are still paying for a license for it. This may account for the fact that there doesn't seem to be any real price difference.
Also I can see the argument for a considerable amount of piracy happening because of a computer being sold with no OS. A family might buy it without understanding exactly what it means, etc. Then if they call their local 'techy' to come and fix it the chances that hes going to install a pirated copy of windows is very high. I've heard about situations similar to this where the tech person will install lots of pirated software and such so I can see it happening.
As I said, having the option of coming with Windows is fine. A typical family who doesn't know anything about the computer wouldn't understand what it means, so they would do what the guy at the store told them to, which I assume would be to get the Windows system. I have no problem with that, and that'll solve most of the piracy problem with Microsoft worries about.
What I want is for the OPTION to buy a computer that DOESN'T come with Windows. I can assure Microsoft that I have no intention of pirating their OS, because I don't even USE their OS. It's not fair to non-Microsoft customers who have to buy Microsoft's OS. Hell, I'd be happy if I got a computer for the same price without the OS. It's the principle.. I don't WANT Windows! I ripped off/threw out the product key that came with my current laptop because I don't plan on ever using it.