This is a serious question … thats why its here
We have been given some rather nice pre-owned laptops that were build for Windows 7
They have been wiped so the HDD is blank
They need to have a basic office function (Word/Excel type documents)
They need to access the web for Bader and ultilearn
Do we need to have Windows or would a LINUX based free OS work ?
Your favourite linux distro with LibreOffice on it and a browser you like should meet most of your needs, though I have not actually tried this.
I’m not so sure about the bader access though - the only browser I have found to work reliably and well with all of the bits of Bader is Internet Explorer, though again I’ve stopped experimenting and for all I know other browsers will handle Microsoft’s inability to stick to Internet standards well enough.
You can download a Windows 7 installation disk for free in many places on the net.
There’s no issue with that. If the laptops still have the Windows 7 sticker with the activation code on them (and assuming that the original owners have not transferred the licence to a new PC) you can reuse those codes quite legally.
Thus Windows 7 need not cost you anything.
If they have a sticker on them they are most likely OEM licences and, when I last checked, OEM licences were not transferable to other equipment.
No, you’re quite right, they’re probably not.
Well I went for Ununtu
And it works just fine for sharepoint 7 bader email.
Havent tried ultithingy or SMS yet
The boot up and internet are fast!
If they have a sticker on them they are most likely OEM licences and, when I last checked, OEM licences were not transferable to other equipment.[/quote]
A bit late now, but the licences would no be transferred to a new PC - the laptops are still the same. OEM licences are usually transferable to another end user if the PC/laptop is resold.
Ubuntu is a great choice, I use Linux Mint - a derivative of ubuntu and everything works.
Much faster than windoze 
cheers
DJ
Well, after several week in use BADER works perfectly on UBUNTU 
Great news, perhaps if you get a spare minute (!) You could write a little ‘how to’ for us to post on the main site? Covering what how and why you chose Linux and your experiences.
Good gen for others!
Cheers
DJ
I agree with Incubus just install linux its better and faster