The PC we use must have an operating system such as Windows. If it is a finished PC such as a laptop rather than an assembled PC, Windows is usually included in the product, so the price of Windows is also included in the price of the product, regardless of you know it or not. There are also products that leave Windows from the default configuration and sell them at a cheaper price. This product is commonly known as ‘FreeDOS’. What does it mean? This question was asked by pioXXXX.
“Hello. When you’re looking to buy a laptop, you’ll find products that have ‘FreeDoS’ written in the operating system section. “I’m curious what FreeDOS stands for, and if I buy a laptop like this, will I be able to use it without having to install Windows” (some edited content)
FreeDOS = a generic term referring to a product that does not come with WindowsFreeDOS is a type of DOS (disk operating system). DOS is an operating system that was used before the advent of modern operating systems such as Windows. This method is used by entering direct commands.
MS-DOS is the most representative DOS, created by Microsoft before Windows. FreeDOS is an open source operating system that was created to forget its legacy after Microsoft stopped developing and supporting MS-DOS.
FreeDos Operating System / Source = FreeDos
However, the term FreeDos used by laptop manufacturers or vendors does not necessarily mean FreeDos, but is more of an idiomatic expression indirectly expressing ‘system – operation not included’.
Since a PC as a laptop is useless without an operating system, the names of free operating systems such as FreeDOS are listed as if they were widely available. For the same reason, it is often obvious that other open source operating systems such as Linux are listed instead of FreeDOS.
Product with ‘FreeDos’ written on the operating system / Source = Coupang Capture
In fact, even if you buy such a laptop and install FreeDO as the operating system, it is difficult to use it normally. Since it is a DOS-type operating system used in the 90s, not only does it not allow proper use of current laptop specifications and functions, but the interface is very different from Today’s OSes, making it difficult to use unless you are an expert. In the end, if you buy a FreeDOS product, you have to install Windows separately It is necessary. However, recently, there have been more and more cases where it is clearly stated that ‘operating system is not included’, perhaps to prevent user confusion.
Because FreeDos products do not include Windows, they are cheaper than products with Windows installed. However, the difference varies depending on the vendor, manufacturer, product, etc. You can buy a real product of ‘Windows 11 Home version won for first time users’ for about 170,000 to 190,000, so if the price difference is lower than this or similar, it would be more Better to buy a Windows installation product than a FreeDos product. This is especially true if you don’t want to go through the trouble of installing Windows and installing drivers on your own laptop.
Genuine Windows 11 can be purchased online for around 170,000 to 190,000 won / Source = Danawa
However, if you replace your laptop frequently, it may be better to buy a separate Windows or FreeDOS laptop. This is because the Windows included in the laptop is a license that belongs to the device, so it cannot be recycled when another laptop is replaced. On the other hand, if you buy a product for Windows users for the first time, license recycling is possible, so you can avoid double spending on the operating system.
Of course, this only applies to people who have enough PC knowledge to install the operating system and maintain the PC by themselves. Otherwise, I recommend buying a product that includes Windows, even if there is a slight price difference.
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Donga IT Reporter Kwon Taek-kyung [email protected]
