[sedatk]

Most computers in Turkey come with FreeDOS preinstalled because there's a law that states all computers must be sold with an operating system. FreeDOS turns out to be the cheapest and easiest.

That's why you don't let people who have never touched a computer write tech laws. You get results like this.

[Dwedit]

The really weird case is where the computer isn't actually compatible with DOS, so they put in a locked-down Linux distro that emulates FreeDOS.

[ronsor]

Wasn't it Dell or HP that did this? IIRC it was FreeDOS-on-QEMU-on-X11-on-Linux.

[1313ed01]

HP: https://blog.tmm.cx/2022/05/15/the-very-weird-hewlett-packar...

149 comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31389893

[unleaded]

Those types of laws aren't all that bad.. they got us this: https://segaretro.org/Dottori_Kun

[zzo38computer]

The computer is not very usable without an operating system. I think it would be reasonable for the computer to have Forth or BASIC or something like that in ROM, like many older computers do, so that the computer is usable without an operating system (but that you could also install an operating system if you wanted it).

[wk_end]

Is there a reason they don't go with Ubuntu or something like that instead?

[prmoustache]

I guess they don't want to get support's call. DOS looks like firmware for non techies.

[jordand]

Linux drivers and certification is a whole lot of extra work and complexity compared to FreeDOS. Years ago, Nettops were sold with FreeDOS where the components didn't support Linux that well.

[rwmj]

I wish that was the case where I live. I'm looking for a new laptop and the mainstream ones still come with the Windows Tax.

[grishka]

Russia has a similar law and yes computers with FreeDOS are also a thing. Alternatively, you're entitled to get a refund for the Windows license by having your hard drive wiped and license sticker removed.