which vendors give a real OS disk?

I greatly prefer to get a real windows CD when I buy a new machine, as opposed to a 'recovery disk' or the like which includes the OS, and which you seem to get from sellers like Dell and Lenovo.

I've bought some machines from local small-time shops, and I always get the real disk from them.

Anyone know which of the big-time laptop vendors provide this?

It's more of an issue now since the laptop I'm about to buy will probably be my first Vista machine (I already have an XP disk lying around).

Thanks!

 

When I bought my Inspiron 6400 last August, I got a real XP Home disk.

 

Dell does.....

 

I thought that the Vista disc that came with my Vostro was an actual Vista installation CD with a Dell cover.
What are the differences with respect to a Microsoft's "pure" Vista OEM dvd?

 

It may have drivers or software included compared to a Microsoft disk. There is no difference between the various Vista discs, so to speak (OEM, retail, VLK). Microsoft gives the same disc to everyone, the only difference is the key.

 

a Dell OEM Vista OS Disc is exactly the same as the retail version. there is no software/trialware added or removed. the only differences are the physical label on the DVD and the fact that, like all OEM discs, there is no need to manually enter a key or serial since this process is automated.

the images on "restore partitions" usually are of the factory install meaning if you restore from the HD, you will get trialware, etc.

EDIT: forgot to mention that the Dell OEM version checks your BIOS to make sure it's a Dell machine and if so, no problem and no serial/key needed. if you install on a non-dell machine, it defaults to a typical install and the user has to register/activate/whatever within a set period of time. note that some users have reported no problems using a Dell OEM disc on non-dell machines.

 

Thanks Fade To Black and NotebookYoozer for clarifying this to me.

 

Well, no problem. I don't own a Dell, so I could only guess at what they offer on their discs.

 

Apparently HP also gives clean-install Windows discs with some or all of their business notebooks: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3994

Not with the consumer Pavilion notebooks though.

 

All the HP business notebooks have the ability to make their own backup discs. They contain a relatively bloat-free Vista install (seriously, there are maybe 3-4 apps installed...two are useful), all the drivers specific to the notebook, and the SWSetup folder that has other things you can choose to install.

 

Thanks, everyone, that helps.
Just to clarify: the reason I asked this question is that the last notebook I bought (5 yrs. or so ago, a Compaq before the buy-out) came w/ just a 'recovery' disk, which would install win xp, drivers, and other bloatware.

Problem was, it was an install disk only. A real retail win xp install disk also allows you to boot from the CD, and run recovery console etc. This became an issue when the damn thing BSOD's in the middle of installing SP1, and became unbootable. Couldn't do anything w/ the recovery disk Compaq provided unless I wanted to wipe the drive & start over. Ended up having to borrow a real xp disk from a friend.

Anyone know whether I'd be getting myself into a similar situation w/ Vista?
(Thinking more about getting a Lenovo than a Dell, BTW)

 

With Vista, I think you'll probably be okay. I think the Vista AnyTime DVD Upgrade disc would be able to do the recovery things you ask about, and is available for about $5-10 in a brick and mortar store. Don't quote me on that!