Where To Buy A Machine With Linux Pre-Installed 229
The Berkeley LUG has a neat aggregation of many different places where you can acquire a desktop, laptop, or even netbook with Linux pre-installed. The list starts with a link to Dell's Linux offering, includes many independent vendors, and many updates from user comments, almost all of whom seem to be drinking the Ubuntu kool-aid. "Over the last couple of years, Linux has come a long way in terms of hardware support, and these days it is relatively rare that an installation of ubuntu/fedora will be lacking any drivers for your machine. However, installing any OS can still sometimes be a tedious task and one that scares the wits out of the average computer user. And, for the expert users out there, it's just more fun to buy a computer with Linux already on it and not have to pay the Microsoft tax."
Even if (Score:2, Informative)
And, for the expert users out there, it's just more fun to buy a computer with Linux already on it and not have to pay the Microsoft tax.
I thought we paid that tax EVEN IF we bought a Linux laptop.
Another List for Laptop, PDAs and Mobile Phones (Score:5, Informative)
Dell (Score:5, Informative)
So far I've bought 2 Ubuntu machines from Dell and they absolutely rock! I bought a Dell Latitude and a Mini 9. They were both rock solid, isn't too OEMified (i.e. no crapware preinstalled).
I'm a huge Dell fan now, because they give me what I want!
Rah rah rah, go Dell! ;)
Re:Driver support (Score:5, Informative)
in the UK (Score:3, Informative)
In the UK, try: http://www.efficientpc.co.uk/ [efficientpc.co.uk]
don't bother with Dell - once you've found a machine that you want, there's no way they're going to put linux on it unless you request an offline quote that means you get no discounts and can't do easy comparisons between different configurations. Or unless you go through their "linux portal" that makes everything more expensive.
Oh, and Dell will only sell you the most expensive possible version of the most expensive linux distribution unless you get one of their "toy" pink laptops from the 'home' section. (and who knows, they might give money to Microsoft on your behalf anyway)
Re:Driver support (Score:4, Informative)
Try EEEbuntu. It's Ubuntu with a few eee-specific features, and a custom kernel. Should detect everything automatically. I've got it running on my 1000ha and I've never had a problem with it. Here's where you can grab it [eeebuntu.org]
IIRC eeebuntu hasn't been updated to with latest release version (it is still based on 8.10 rather than the newer 9.04). While the differences won't be massively massive and 8.10 will get security updates for a while yet, you are probably better off using the official "Ubuntu Netbook Remix" for new installs: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download-netbook [ubuntu.com]
I've been using it on my AA1 for the last few weeks and have found it to be excellent in terms of everything I've cared to test working out of the box, and the eee1000 seems to be well supported too according to the official list at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport/Machines/Netbooks [ubuntu.com]
If you don't like the default UNR launcher interface, you can easily turn it off and use the standard desktop setup (or your custom preference if you have used Linux long enough to have developed one) instead (though you'll want to reconfigure the panels vertically, or remove them, due to the machines screen size and aspect ratio).
Re:Any suggestions for Canadian laptop vendors? (Score:3, Informative)
Years ago I bought a linux server from a company in Edmonton, and they seem to still be around. Their site is woefully out of date though.
http://www.harddata.com/ [harddata.com]
Re:Meh? (Score:5, Informative)
How do you figure that? Last time I checked you save exactly $0.00 dollars by getting the Ubuntu over the Vista, at least on the Dell XPS I last looked at. So in this case if there is any savings from not going MSFT then YOU aren't the one seeing it.
Correct. As well as getting Windows OEM licenses dirt cheap in bulk for their machine, Dall and manufacturers like them also get a kick-back for each bit of extra "trail" software (such as AV tools and such) they include. If you don't take Windows they can provide McUsless AntiEverything 2012, so they don't get the kick-back for that software for your machine, and if these kick-backs in total as much as the few $ they pay for each Windows license (i.e. laptop.cost+window.cost-crap1.cost-crap2.cost == laptop.cost-ubuntu.cost) that means your machines costs them the same to send to you what-ever OS you select.
There is also the issue of extra returns for Linux machines if they make them cheaper. This actually happens, it isn't just FUD, though it doesn't happen for the reason that MS want you to believe (because Linux is defective) it is because the user has made a defective choice - they pick the cheaper option without doing any research then expect a refund because it won't play game-of-the-moment out of the box.
freegeek (Score:5, Informative)
freegeek ( http://www.freegeek.org/ [freegeek.org] ) recycles PC's and sells them if they have some left-over.
Linux pre-installed.
Have to check if there is one where you live.
Stephan
List of Cities (Score:3, Informative)
I forgot; there's a list of cities at
http://www.freegeek.org/about/intergalactic [freegeek.org]
* Free Geek Arkansas (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
* Free Geek Central Florida (Orlando, Florida)
* Free Geek Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
* Free Geek Columbus (Columbus, Ohio)
* Free Geek Michiana (South Bend, Indiana area)
* Free Geek Twin Cities (Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota)
* Born Again Technologies (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
* Free Geek Vancouver (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
* Free Geek Providence (Providence, Rhode Island)
* The original Free Geek, often referred to as âoethe "Mothership". (Portland, Oregon)
Stephan
It's almost a good deal (Score:1, Informative)
The problem with many Linux versions of desktops or laptops is that the Windows version is almost always a better deal. The computer you point at:
Linux, $20 cheaper
BUT
Linux, 1/2 the hard drive (ie 4GB vs. 8GB)
Linux, you don't get $30 off peripherals
Up to recently they always found a way to make Linux a worse deal financially. I think they may have fixed that in the States but obviously not in Canada.
Re:Meh? (Score:2, Informative)
I believe Dell pays Cononical a small kickback for every Linux PC they sell for support. This would explain why the two systems cost the same, though I tend to agree with you on principal that it would be nice to be able to get the Linux variant for cheaper.
Also, last I checked, Microsoft's license terms don't allow you to run an OEM copy in a virtual instance (i.e. the license is tied to the hardware). If you want to run Vista in a virtual machine you'll need a retail boxed copy, or a volume license of some kind.
Re:Any suggestions for Canadian laptop vendors? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:freegeek (Score:2, Informative)
Another link (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Dell (Score:3, Informative)
One thing you should watch out for is the really long delivery times for Dellbuntu systems, at least in my own experience. My brother bought an m1330 (with Vista) and it arrived in two weeks with no issues. I decided to buy my own but with Ubuntu pre-installed and I was given the same two weeks estimate. However for about two months I kept getting emails about unavailable stock and that the delivery estimate was moved back each time. This is despite the fact that the flashy stock checker said everything was fine when I customized the system. On top of this, I couldn't cancel or get a refund apparently because of the way the automated system works (what a load of bull).
I got annoyed about a month in and just bought a Macbook for ~£30 less and better specs (everything was the same except the Macbook had an Nvidia 9400m instead of a 8400m). If I didn't have spare cash from my student loan I'd have been in a right mess because the m1330 didn't arrive until May 11th, about 3 weeks after my project deadline.
Yes, I know my experience might have been bad, and others may vary, but this has put me off doing business with Dell for good, especially when my brother had no issues with his Vista machine, which tells me Dell isn't really serious about Ubuntu.
To answer the submitter's question I've personally bought the 9" eeePC with Xandros preinstalled and installed Ubuntu on it with Adamm's kernel (which is as simple as adding a repo). I'm sure the larger eeePCs should be just the same.
Re:Can you really call that Windows? (Score:3, Informative)
Normally I'd stay out of something like this. Obvious bias, etc. But out of curiosity, when was the last time you bought a Dell?
They don't come with the Microsoft standard-issue hologrammed disc for Windows... they come with a blue-label disc. Said blue-label disc, however, installs a clean, vanilla image of MS Windows Vista (the XP disc is green). The only difference between the blue disc and the original hologrammed disc, aside from the holograms, is that the blue disc contains the version that's tied to the hardware and doesn't ask for your CoA.
If you choose to install the crapware that comes pre-installed, they provide you discs to allow you to do that. If you choose not to, they've been kind enough to put all the drivers on another disc so you don't have to risk accidentally installing something you don't want. And yes, the blue discs can be used to repair an existing installation of Windows without wiping anything.
No, you can't take your disc and use it to install Windows on another computer. You haven't paid for the retail version that'd let you do that. But it's not a "restore" disc that'll wipe out the entire machine, unless you tell it to, and even then, it won't bring it back to factory default, it'll bring it to vanilla Windows.
Linux Brick and Mortar Store (Score:2, Informative)
*disclaimer* I work at one of them, called caffe*nix. If you're in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada, we're a friendly neighbourhood Linux store.
caffe*nix can be found here - www.caffenix.com
Re:Meh? (Score:3, Informative)
Actually, I just ordered a Mini 9 from Dell. I checked the prices and sure enough I saved $40 by getting Ubuntu instead of XP.
Funny thing is though, I called in the order to talk to a real person about different discounts (epp, sales, etc.), and she tried her *darnedest* to get me to *not* get that laptop! First she wanted to make sure I "had a *real* laptop" (yes, that's a quote!), then she asked what I would be using it for.
ME: Oh, you know it's a netbook, so...the Internet.
HER: Oh, you won't be typing papers at all or using Excel or anything? Because you need Windows to run MS Office
ME: No...it's Ubuntu, it comes with OpenOffice, I don't need MS Office.
HER: But you can't open word or excel without windows...
ME: Yes, I can edit and create MS Office documents. Move along, please.
Next, she urged me to upgrade the RAM.
HER: And would you like to go ahead and get the 64GB hard drive [even though it's actually solid state] and 2 GB of RAM? This is a small laptop and is very hard to upgrade.
ME: Actually, I've seen the videos online. It takes 2 screws and you just pop off a little lid and the extra ram or the new SSD just pops right in.
Then, of course, she wanted to sell me the latest gizmos and gadgets they have. No, thanks. Finally, when the build is complete, I get the most hilarious thing EVER:
HER: Ok, almost done here, one last question. Right now, we have a special on McAfee Antivirus and it's only $X/month and it will protect your system from...[I cut her off here]
ME: Would you like to tell me A) how McAfee is going to run in Linux and B) what viruses I would be protected from? I'll go ahead and answer that: McAfee doesn't even run on Linux, so the question is moot. What's my total?
I'm guessing that even if they sell McAfee and have to give a refund, they'll still charge people for that first month, or even if they give the refund on that, then McAfee gives dell a kickback for so many licenses sold.