Actually, Alienware would save money. Windows pre-installed does not come for free. A linux based system should be cheaper than a windows based computer.
I never liked to pay for a windows licence by default although I install linux anyway.
That was my point. If I buy a computer with linux on I expect it to be cheaper than Windows, so it was weird that Alienware are asking people that question.
Packing, documents, install cds. There is also the cost of creating drivers for Linux. Testing the machines before production. You also need to do random sample tests after production.
There are a lot of challenges. Those are simply the ones off the top of my head.
I never liked to pay for a windows licence by default although I install linux anyway.