Computer without Operating System: Pros and Cons

A computer without operating system is not as common on the market as those that come with the Windows operating system pre-installed, or with other operating systems. However, there are, and more and more brands and models are betting on this method.

But, if you are hesitating whether or not to buy one of these computers without an OS, here are its pros and cons.

Advantages of a Computer without Operating System

Some of the advantages of buying a computer without OS are the following:

1. Cheaper

Computers without an operating system are usually cheaper compared to the same model that does.

This is because you are saving the license of the operating system (if it is paid) and also the labor necessary to install these operating systems on the computers.

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Therefore, if you are looking for something good and something cheaper, one of these teams may be a good choice.

2. Best for Advanced Users

It is best for them because they can then choose the operating system they want to install. Such as opting for a Pro or Server version of an operating system, configuring partitioning, installing a 32-bit version instead of a 64-bit one for any compatibility issue, etc.

In addition, if you already have a license for another operating system that you have paid for, you will not like having to pay again for the OEM license included in the price of the equipment.

3. No bloat-ware

Many computers with the operating system preinstalled not only install the operating system and drivers, but also additional software from the company selling the computer itself, or from third parties.

These programs are sometimes annoying, take up space on your hard drive and can contain quite intrusive code.

Malware has even been detected in some cases, and they are usually quite persistent and difficult to uninstall, as they come with the system pre-installed and even if you restore the system it will still be there.

4. Freedom

Don’t forget the freedom that bare metal computers bring, as they let you choose the one you want, no strings attached.

For example, this is especially good for those who use operating systems other than Windows, who don’t have to pay for this system and then end up removing it the first day to install GNU/Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD, and Android x86, or whatever.

Before ending this section, I would like to make a distinction between No-OS, or without an operating system, and FreeOS and FreeDOS. They are different concepts:

• No-OS: This is the label used by many brand name PC manufacturers to designate PCs that don’t have any operating system present on the PC, so you have to install it from scratch on day one if you want to use it.
• FreeOS: They usually refer to free operating systems. For example, some ASUS usually install a basic and free Linux distribution that you can leave or replace with another operating system.
• FreeDOS: it is a free and open source DOS-type operating system with which you can do very basic operations from its command line interface, but it is only there while the operating system that will ultimately command the computer is installed.

Disadvantages of a Computer without Operating System

Finally, it is also important to highlight the disadvantages of this type of computer, without an operating system:

1. Use

You will not be able to use it immediately when you buy the equipment, but you will have to carry out a series of previous tasks to make it functional.

2. Work

You need to spend more time and work on it to be able to install the operating system on it and get everything ready to use. This means spending at least a few hours getting the operating system ready with the drivers and software you’re going to use.

3. OEM licenses

Sometimes the OEM licenses that are included in the price of these computers are usually cheaper than buying a license for the operating system on your own.

Therefore, if you are going to install Windows and do not yet have a license, perhaps the best option is to purchase a product with a pre-installed operating system.

4. Not suitable for Beginners

Since you must need some basic knowledge to be able to format, create hard disk partitions and for the installation of the operating system, as well as drivers, etc.

5. No Recovery System

Many computer manufacturers include a hidden partition with recovery software that you won’t have if you install the operating system yourself.

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This partition and its contents are used to restore factory settings if the operating system crashes or something happens to it. This can bring peace of mind and ease for many.

But since you don’t have the system pre-installed, you won’t have this service either, so you’ll have to implement the appropriate security and recovery measures yourself.

Remember that you can get cheap Windows 11 licenses at a price 10 times lower than the official Microsoft price! Thus, you will make the most of your computer without an operating system.