According to ZDNet UK Microsoft UK is urging UK vendors not to ship PCs without operating systems on them.
Supplying base systems or "Naked PCs" is a missed opportunity according to Michala Alexander, Microsoft"s head of anti-piracy.
"We want to urge all system builders — indeed, all Partners — not to
supply naked PCs. It is a risk to your customers and a risk to your
business — with specifically 5 percent fewer opportunities to market
software and services," wrote Alexander in Microsoft"s Partner Update magazine.
Vendors have always offered barebone PCs or PCs without an operating system for those who have previously purchased Windows or whom want to install Linux onto their PCs.