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Buying Brandname Linux Desktops?
bobstaff asks: "I work for a company producing a highly technical product for export of which a Linux network is a significant part. Usually we build the Linux computers from components using some of the higher end options available (Dual 1Ghz Pentium III, SCSI disk,CD-RW,tape, 512Mb Ram, High End Video card, etc...). Occasionally we have a customer, however, who insists on having a brand name computer (eg. Compaq, HP, etc..) with support in whichever country they are from, regardless of the extra cost and decreased performance. In the past this has always caused problems, from Linux incompatible components to having to fight to get the pre-installed Windows distribution overwritten with Linux. What experiences do Slashdot readers have with buying brand name computers with international support and running Linux on them? Also can anyone recommend companies with international support producing Linux computers?"
IBM is really pushing Linux for their servers. I'm guessing they probably have Linux desktops/workstations available as well. You'll end up paying a high mark-up on the hardware but you should receive or have the option to buy some nice warranty/service contracts.
I'd also recommend Dell systems with no installed OS.
I just bought a Dell Latitude C600 (Laptop) with Linux pre-loaded... I also know they push a lot of their PowerEdge servers out the door, and their support is top notch. The hardware is designed with Linux in mind, they provide drivers for everything (even if they didn't write 'em themself), and their hardware replacement services (should you need them, as well) are really fast. Their Linux software support probably is the best around, just short of Cisco's router support team... and that's "DreamLand" for people like me... I've never had a problem with anything of theirs... IBM is also a good friend, and they might better global support than Dell.. I've never used IBM due to compatability issues... I'm willing to bet their server lines don't have the same issues as their desktop/laptops though...
-PhaseBurn Welcome to Linux country. On quiet nights, you can hear windows reboot.
Well had once a HP with preinstalled windows --> tried to have linux on it, tryed suse and redhat --> well had a lot of problems (seems the bios is very windows styled)
wouldnt recommend that you run linux on a HP!
fight to get the pre-installed Windows distribution overwritten with Linux
This shouldn't be hard. Either choose fdisk during the install, do fdisk from vt2 or 3 during the install, or use a Tom's RTBT and do:
d
6 # You may not have this one, but it won't hurt.
d
5 # ditto.
d
1
n
1
+15M
n
2
+256M
n
3 # This is a pretty shoddy partitioning scheme, but should be fine for a desktop.
[enter]
t
2
82
w
That should do the trick every time.
If you need to buy a desktop, get a workstation from Dell. If you go for instance to www.dell.com/linux you get redirected to their Linux web page. They usually offer Linux workstations there. They are doing it righ now.
And I am sure you are aware that there are plenty of small companies selling pretty much anything with Linux preinstalled, but this is not what you are asking for here.
-- Don Inodoro
Dell....excellent systems, excellent support...goes pretty much anywhere....
Power Corrupts,Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely, leaving one person(group)in charge is absolutely corrupt.
Since when is Dell not considered a major manufacturer? Granted, Dell isn't quite in the same league as HP and Compaq when it comes to workstations, but lacking any other more stringent requirements Dell hardware should be perfectly adequate for most jobs. I don't have direct experience with the service departments of HP ,Dell or Compaq, but I can't believe them to be so different as to be useless
Let Microsoft know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship