Buying a Small, Light Linux Notebook Computer?

metamatic asks: "I'm planning to buy a notebook computer in the near future. Currently I'm looking at an iBook; however, they're a bit larger and heavier than I'd like. PC users are always telling me that PCs are faster and cheaper, and I'd be happy enough running Linux for what I want the notebook for. So: I'm looking for PC notebook computers that outperform the iBook. Must have USB and Firewire, built-in ethernet, and 802.11b support somehow (via a PC card slot is OK). Small is important, lightweight is important, long battery life is important. I don't care about screen size so long as it can do 800x600. Performance isn't a major concern, as I'm not going to be playing 3D games on it. Sounds easy? Here's the catch: I will not purchase Windows!" After all that this industry has gone through in recent years? Does one still have to pay the Microsoft tax when purchasing a laptop?

"I have no Windows software and will not be running any, not even via WINE. I have no desire to go through the hassle of purchasing software I'm not going to use and then fighting to get a token rebate that doesn't actually equate to the cost of a Windows license. Nor am I interested in buying a machine that was purchased with a Windows license, and simply having Windows erased with no refund given.

So far I've found iDot Computers, who will sell laptops with no OS installed. Unfortunately, their lightest, smallest offering is a hefty 2.8kg brick, 3cm bigger than the iBook in width and depth. What I really want is something comparable to a Toshiba Libretto or Sony VAIO R505--except that neither of those companies want to sell me a machine without Windows.

I'm sure plenty of Slashdot readers have faced the same problem--what's the solution?"

Comments

performance

[Anonymous Coward]

Always this emphasis on performance...

a Jedi craves not these things, only affordability.

money back

[mschoolbus]

I know there is a Windows refund site somewhere, as long as you never click okay to a EULA you can get some money back...

Re:money back

[isorox]

today. The finger pads on laptops for mouse movements is an example of apple's inventions.

Personally I prefer nipples

Re:money back

[FueledByRamen]

ARRGGGHHH!!! How can you stand massaging the pointer-clit in the center of the keyboard to try and USE a computer!? So many hours I wasted, struggling with that eraser. It is the object of all of my hate and bitterness towards this world. Whoever developed that pointing device shall be doomed to eternal suffering in front of a Toshiba Satellite 486/25 with Windows 3.1, my first encounter with the damned nipple-mouse.

</rant>
I prefer the touch pads, personally, and Apple does make the best! Far superior to any I've used on a PC laptop (even some really nice ones [defined as whatever Orifice Depot has out for me to screw with when I'm in there, and that I cannot afford]).

Re:money back

[jshare]

How can you stand massaging the pointer-clit...

I feel sorry for your girlfriend.

For some of us, it's no effort at all...

:-P

Re:money back

[FueledByRamen]

You have forgotten your place. In Slashdot-land, there are no girlfriends, only clit-mice. (mouses? meese?)

I'd bet that you wouldn't stand using the eraser-mouse either when it started to burn the skin from your fingertips after a heated gaming session (well, for the only computer I bought with one, more like a heated Solitare session, but that's still a game). Touchpads won't do that to you.

Re:money back

[ebyrob]

Just pay the extra $25 dollars.

That sounds like the kind of thing that started a certain tea party in Boston...

dunno

[Anonymous Coward]

dunno

apple

[captainstupid]

It's called a power book.

Yao and mini-me use 'em, why can't you?

Re:Emperor Linux

[SuperQ]

Another nice option for those pesky MS CD's. Get some self-adhesive 1mm thick cork bord, and turn them into nice shiny coasters. Great for putting a nice glass of scotch on.

no-performance

[lothlorien]

anyone interested in starting a low-budget campaign for ignoring computer performance increases: lets do it togeather!

hmmm

[StandardDeviant]

i don't know about linux compatibility, but it sounds like in terms of HARDWARE you're looking for something like Fujitsu P-series or so. Fujitsu P-Series page. it doesn't have firewire, but it has everything else you want. here's a page talking about putting linux (debian) on it i think i've seen firewire pcmcia cards, so that might be the solution. I don't know about getting it without windows, but that's the breaks... Like another poster said, not *everything* has to be a political statement. You could just video tape yourself burning or shitting on your windows CD in front of a linux flag or something. ;)

Re:hmmm

[belloc]

You could just video tape yourself burning or shitting on your windows CD in front of a linux flag or something.

Winner, Most Disturbing Image of the Day.

Re:Simple solution:

[ScriptGuru]

File down an iBook.
You mean peel an Apple?

Re:powernotebooks.com

[Glonoinha]

>How about,
>while(reading_slashdot){++nerdiness;--soc ial_life }

IANAC (I am not a compiler) but I am guessing your generic C compiler might get pissy about not having a semi-colon before the ending brace.

Re:Powerbook 12"

[carpe_noctem]

Only criticism is that it gets hot.

Tell that to the guy that burned his penis.

Re:powernotebooks.com

[pizza_milkshake]

or even:

while (reading_slashdot) nerdiness++, social_life--;

Re:powernotebooks.com

[jericho4.0]

IAAC, and no, I don't like it.

Re: I am Jack's MPW C compiler

[Anonymous Coward]

This reminds me of one of my favorite compiler error messages:

• "Too many errors on one line (make fewer)"

Some other good ones:

• "You can't modify a constant, float upstream, win an argument with the IRS, or satisfy this compiler"
• "This struct already has a perfectly good definition"
• "This onion already has a perfectly good definition"
• "...And the lord said, `lo, there shall only be case or default labels inside a switch statement'"
• "a typedef name was a complete surprise to me at this point in your program"
• "This array has no size, and that's bad"
• "we already did this function"
• "Call me paranoid but finding `/*' inside this comment makes me suspicious"
• "Symbol table full - fatal heap error; please go buy a RAM upgrade from your local Apple dealer"

Source: MacKido

Re:Fujitsu P2000 Series

[Anonymous Coward]

From the fujitsu page:

"The award-winning product just got better."

Now isn't that informative?

Re:Metamatic - your answer.

[blixel]

What is a 1394 connection? If you mean IEEE 1394 compliant connectors, then the official name for the standard is FireWire.

Well we all knew what he meant, and clearly so did you. So what's your point?

"I will not purchase Windows!"

[forged]

That's fine, you can always steal it. We won't tell anything ;)