Linux Laptops

[TU]

anyone know where to buy them? also note to Xp sucker. reason for linux #1,900,9900 is that linux laptops are about 200-300 cheaper than windows ones. Thanks for help !

[voidmain]

Unfortunately it is like pulling teeth to find a Laptop manufacturer that will sell you a Laptop without Windows preinstalled.  However here are a couple that look pretty good:

http://www.kachinatech.com/US/portare.html
http://www.qlilinux.com/products/laptops/index.html

Sure Linux runs well on IBM Think Pad, Dell Latitude/Inspiron, etc but even as much of a Linux pusher that IBM is you can no longer buy a Think Pad without Windows (that I am aware of).  The only think that you can do is order a Dell, IBM, Compaq etc (after doing your homework on compatibility) and get a refund from Microsoft for the Microsoft software.  Make *sure* you do not boot the system up when you get it without booting from a non-MS floppy and wiping it out first or you will not be able to get a refund.  There is information on the net on how to get your Microsoft refund, search google.

I have two Dell laptops that I use Linux exclusively on. Unfortunately Microsoft received payment for 2 copies of Windows and they would also be included in the M$ bean counter as a sale, even though Windows was never used on these laptops. It will never happen again as I will either purchase a Linux laptop, or get a refund from M$ in the future.

[choasforages]

hmm, ill use the correct word this time

linux laptops are great for cracking on school networks. beucase of the plumbing in linux i can do great shit on the school network, and i could do the same with a dreamcast hahahahahahaha

[pkd_lives]

Q. Does it have to be the dogs bollocks, or just any old thing.

I suggest you hunt around for an old deal, someone upgrading and getting rid of theirs, supplier getting rid of old stock. I am currently trying to install on an old laptop, unfortunately the bloat in gnome and KDE is giving me problems, only 1GB drive inside, and probs with the graphics driver and sound card, and it's got 40M of memory, and runs at 120MHz, but then it's what 7 years old so what the hell, and to top it off the harddrive is acting flaky, so It may be a throw out, but it was given to me, so like I can complain.

I too want a laptop, with Linux, and my next comp will be a laptop, but I am having to look at Macs for it at the moment, I will not buy M$ stuff again, not even for refund, it's a principle involved here.

But none of the big manufacturers seem to offer no O/S, which is a shame.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: pkd ]

[trc3]

quote:Originally posted by VoidMain:
get a refund from Microsoft for the Microsoft software.  Make *sure* you do not boot the system up when you get it without booting from a non-MS floppy and wiping it out first or you will not be able to get a refund

Has anyone tryed this, does m$ really give you a refund?  If they do then I should get some cash, I just bought a new laptop    and the minute I came home I put mandrake 8.2 on it.  XP never touched it, but it does have windowsME on it  

[voidmain]

Did your laptop come with Windows ME or XP?  If it came with XP and you never booted it without destroying it then you should be able to get your money back:

http://www.linuxmall.com/refund/

[Sleeping Dog]

Time for a reality check when buying any new hardware (including laptops) from any vendor.

Right now almost every hardware vendor is sitting on merchandise that they cannot move.  AMD and Intel have both postponed the release of their faster CPU's so that their reseller customers can get off of their present inventories without taking a shellacking.  Any vendor that won't sell you a laptop computer WITHOUT Windows on it, and give you the proper discount for no OS, is going to be a company with its head up its ass........or someone that you probably don't want to do business with anyway.  Let them worry about wiping the Windows OS off of the HD if they really want your money.  Getting the "credit" for not selling Windows with the hardware should be the vendor's responsibility, not yours.

During the present state of the economy, only an idiotic merchant would insist that you take Windows with the unit if you didn't want it.

I am through ranting now.

My best to all.

Sleeping Dog

[trc3]

The laptop came with XPoo, but the cd NEVER touched my laptop, it may have came in contact with another computer of mine, but thats neither here nor there.  So im not sure if I could get the money back...

 

quote: During the present state of the economy, only an idiotic merchant would insist that you take Windows with the unit if you didn't want it.

Well looks like fry's is a idiotic merchant [but hell who didnt already know that] I got my laptop at frys and there was no way in hell they were giving it to me without windows.  I argued with the asshole salesman for 20 minutes, no deals, no discount for not taking windows as a matter of fact he wouldnt even keep the cd, I told him I didnt even want it and he basically made me take it.  I looked around alot before I bought a laptop and I honestly couldnt find a better deal then what I got at frys.  Intel 1.6 ghz, cd-rw/dvd 15 inch screen, 40 gig drive, 802.11b built in, infrared port, 4pin firewire, 4 usb ports, the only thing im dont like is the video card, only 16mb!  But I got it for $1550 before tax, it was $1650 but a little fast talking got him to bring down the price a bit.  But all in all im happy with it, its currently running mandrake 9.0 beta2    and winderzME   .

[voidmain]

Well as long as you didn't register your copy of XP I would suggest following the advice of that web page and try and get your money back from M$. And let us all know how you make out. If nothing else, it could make for good fodder for this board.

[choasforages]

hmmm, i really want to go to a gateway store, and make the guy think he was going to sell a computer, whip out the checkbook, and tell him that i will not buy the system if i have to pay for windows, and present redhat 8.0/*should be out soon*/. and then if they didn't sell it to me/*which they wouldn't*/ i would like walk out

[trc3]

I didnt register it, but I remember reading a story about how certian OEM's register them before hand.  Either way im going to try and get some money back, well see what happens.  Does anyone know if their is a time limit for this?  I've had the laptop for about a month or so, think that would this make a diffrence?

[Sleeping Dog]

Yo trc3

Go to the MicroPro site and check out what you could have gotten for the same money (about 1600 plus shipping and no tax if you are out of their state.)

You could have gotten the Centaur Series 15" with all the same "stuff" and a 2.2 GHz 400 FSB processor.  I have dealt with MicroPro for several years and have bought several systems from those folks.  They have great warranty and customer support.  THEY HAVE NEVER CHARGED ME FOR A MICROSOFT OS BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER ORDERED A SYSTEM FROM THEM WITH A MICROSOFT OS ON IT.  I request "No operating system."  They honor my request and I am not charged for it.

I will call them tomorrow, just for spits and giggles, and see if they would do the same for a laptop.  The last dozen or so systems that I have bought from them have all been desktop/server stuff.

Have fun All

Sleeping Dog

[Sleeping Dog]

OOPS!

Almost forgot....here is the link.

http://www.micropro.com/syscat.htm?product=Notebooks

Sleeping Dog

[voidmain]

I can't tell you, look at it as a science experiment.  Write a letter that you have no intentions of using XP, you never put the CD in a machine, you have installed Linux on it from the beginning, you do not agree to any software license, your PC distributor will not give you a refund (give them the name of the place you bought it), and you want your money back. Stick the CD any other piece of material with the M$ logo (hologram) in a package with the letter and send it to Redmond.

[voidmain]

Hey, great link SD!  You can click on the "Customize" link and remove XP from the configuration and save $94.  Wonder how compatible the hardware is with Linux?

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: VoidMain ]