Slashdot Mirror

You can try Tuxtops. The Linux Store also seems to stock some pre-loaded laptops.

Note I have never done business with either of these companies. I just recall them advertising Linux laptops in Linux magazines.

In all cases, though, these seem pretty expensive. It seems to me that you could find a better deal somewhere else, then load your own distribution. I tend to customize and tweak so much, I can't imagine having someone else load my system for me. But YMMV.

What the hell is this? Why should I get worked up about "IBM refusing to deal with the fact that FreeBSD will not boot on thier laptops?" IBM sells Linux, Solaris, and Windows computers, but nowhere did they ever say that they were going to provide BSD support for anything, let alone for their laptop line.

The support for open source operating systems you'll see from IBM is far and away better than any other large OEM, with the possible exception of SGI. If you want Linux laptop support, buy from The Linux Store, or Linux Laptops. Vote with your feet. Don't whine because IBM won't deliver support they never promised.

Forget Promise, SIIG and others. 3Ware's Escalade series of products are just what you are looking for. Keys to performance with Escalade:

• On-board co-processor that acts like a SCSI target from the standpoint of the OS/driver. The same you'll find on most SCSI RAID controllers (i960 or similiar). This dedicated CPU drives your CPU, not your mainboard chipset's southbridge (which normally requires some CPU overhead even with bus mastering).
• One IDE drive per-channel. No "slave" issues. 100% Hot-Swap capability (although you'll need a IDE hot-swap bay/chassis for full hot-swap capability). Maximum performance.
• 2-8 channel boards, roughly $50-60/channel -- not much more than those crappy Promise FastTrak cards, only much, much faster.
• 100% Linux support. 3Ware controller support is built-in to most newer 2.2.x kernels.

If you want to minimize cost and performance, 3Ware's Escalade is what you want. Their new 6000-series offers 2-8 channels of RAID-0/1/1+0 with Ultra66 support for $139/279/479 (2/4/8 channel).

3Ware is also working on a 64-bit PCI board with RAID-5 support (as well as Ultra100). Be looking out for it (I know I will).

-- Bryan "TheBS" Smith

I bought recently a complete Alpha system at The Linux Store. It
runs really nice. Besides, it costed me more or less the same
than a good Intel system to be used as a server - US$2500.
600MHz, 128MB RAM, 13GB. I could not be more satisfied
with it.

The Linux Store sucks. They are another company trying to take money away from our communtiy and not put a damn thing back into it. They are wolves in penguins clothing and must be stopped.

"Not bad for a company with about $14 million in revenues (they did not profit) last year...."

EBIZ which runs TheLinuxStore had $15M in sales last year, yet they're trading at $4.5/share.

Clearly VA Linux is over valued. There is only so much money you can make assembling off the shelf components. They basically can only compete in three areas: price, quality, or service. Though my impression is VA Linux quality is higher than EBIZ, EBIZ has better prices. Quality I think is moot as they would have have to hire and train 100's (if not 1000's) of new techs to install and service new equipment if their sales were to get anywhere near where they should be to justify the stock price. Such a fast staffing-up will inevitably lead to some quality problems.

Another company that shows how overvalued VA Linux is, is SGI. SGI has something like 1.2M shares of VA Linux thanks to early capital investments. That stock now represents about 1/6 of the total value of SGI.

Just wanted to quickly follow up on price/avail. on Alpha based Linux systems. Go now, ye curious seekers of tru 64 bit penguins, to The Linux Store and see that you too can put your hands on a 533 Mhz Alpha for under $1600 U.S. That's a complete, Linux Pre-installed, with SoundBlaster AWE64, etc, system. I have nothing against Intel, but I won't give up my alphas... YMMV, Rob

Hey All,

Just wanted to let everyone know...Due to a weekend posting on slashdot about our Multia Giveaway, our phone system has be ./'ed ! Please bear with us as we attempt to catch up on the backlog of calls and emails. We are setting up a web based order page for the Multia's at www.thelinuxstore.com.

Due to the overwhelming response, we may need to limit orders to 1 Multia per order.

Thanks for all your interest and support. Don't forget to stop by our booth at linux world expo and see our new PIA unveiled !!

Steve Hindle
Director of Linux Product Development/CTO
The Linux Store
www.thelinuxstore.com
Stephen Hindle
Director of Linux Product Development/CTO

I don't think I'd use one as my primary machine, but as a low cost mid-range server running FreeBSD they'd be excellent. Just pop in a NIC and there you go.

Now if only you didn't have to pay the M$ tax...

Either way, I'll stick to building my own with each component picked out by me, personally, with tender loving care.

The PIA is, in fact a linux box. It has NOT hit any retail outlets yet, and does NOT require any ISP agreement to purchase. The machine will be demo'd on "Good Morning America" july 15. At this point it is anticipated that the machine will ship with Debian, though that is open to change. The machine is expected to be available in August for $199 in a base configuration. This includes video, sound, 2G HD, and modem. Processor will be in the 300Mhz range. Monitor Extra(tm).

For more information about the PIA, please visit the linux store web site: TheLinuxStore

Stephen Hindle Director of Linux Product Development http://www.thelinuxstore.com
Stephen Hindle
Director of Linux Product Development/CTO

The Linux hardware vendors are some of the best corporate citizens I've seen in any industry. They wholeheartedly support the Linux community, because they realise that without it they wouldn't exist in the first place. I like the fact that Penguin Computing is providing servers for sites such as Linux Online, 32 Bits Online, and LinuxToday. Then you've got VA Linux Systems taking the time to ensure Linux.com doesn't get run over by corporate interests, but instead makes it a community interest site. Not to mention hosting Debian, GNU, and Themes.org. You've got to hand it to the Linux Store for pushing the envelope for low-cost systems.

The Linux hardware vendors have shown a dedication to the community and customers that is rarely seen in this generally cruel marketplace. I sincerely hope they keep it up.