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HP Linux Laptop Is A Winner
minus_273 writes "MSNBC is currently running a story on the front page reviewing the new HP Linux laptops. In a story titled 'H-P's first Linux laptop a winner', the article provides a brief look at the accomplishments and some of the shortcomings of the nx5000; a new inexpensive HP business laptop that comes with SUSE installed. The author seems extremely happy about how everything just works out of the box and mentions the significance of the product. Could HP+SUSE go the way of Apple+BSD and become an option for those that want friendly non-windows laptop? Releasing an easy to use Linux system is a good first step." We mentioned this laptop a few weeks ago.
Could HP+SUSE go the way of Apple+BSD and become an option for those that want friendly non-windows laptop?
People don't buy Macs because they don't want a Windows machine, they buy Macs because they like Macs!
Don't get me wrong, I like Linux and I think it is great that you can finally buy a Linux laptop where everything just works, but I still think it trails behind Apple. I can run Photoshop and MS Office on my iBook without any gimmicks or compromises like I would need to run them on a Linux laptop. Also, when I buy new hardware or look for a new program, there is a pretty good chance that there is support of OS X. The chance of finding mainstream items that support Linux is still very slim.
SIGFAULT
The author seems extremely happy about how everything just works out of the box
Just how low is the fsking bar when a reviewer has to note that nothing was broken when he first powered on the system?
C'mon people, raise your standards for a "good" system!
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I always wanted an iPod how about you?
Not really. Getting hibernate to work on a laptop, as well as any exotic functions requires quite a bit of work/digging. The vendors have the resources and knowhow to create the software for it, since they built the hardware.
Servers I'll install myself, Desktops I'll install myself. I control the hardware that goes into them. Laptops however, I don't have so much control.
Yeah, it's Linux so in Slashdot's eyes they instantly get 10 cool points, but come on.
Stuff not working out of the box is noteworthy in a bad way. Everything working the way that it's supposed to is just what's supposed to happen.
Yeah, I know for a long time it was a criticism of Linux that driver support sucked - so in a way I can understand why he'd mention it. But the fact that everything is supported on the laptop is not a good (TM) thing. It's merely the absence of a bad thing.
It's like saying that a new Windows Laptop was the best ever because it didn't explode when powered up, and didn't cause severe burns to the user's lap. Yeah, great that that's true, but it's not something to go around advertising - that would just show that you expected otherwise.
...Also, I didn't know Buggalo could fly.
Will widespread acceptance of linux occur only when dominant software makers support linux, or will widespread acceptance of linux cause dominant software makers to support linux?
Which will come first?
It's my opinion that widespread usage will occur first. Then software giants will realize the demand, and they will start supporting it.
Linux deserves respect and support from vendors, and I believe it will get it soon.
But overall, (and here's where staunch Linux fans will take exception) this machine is not as easy to use for most computer users as the same machine running Windows XP or (if it could) Apple's OS X. You still need to know a lot more about the inner workings of a computer to excel on a Linux machine.
Maybe I'm missing the boat, but I think this is a given. I've never heard a Linux user claim that someone who's only familiar w/ Mac or Windows is going to fully understand (much less fall in love with) Linux the first time they use it. That kind of negativity - however slight and between-the-lines - is just pushing more people away from Linux by reinforcing the "theirs is harder to use than ours" idea.
You must figure out on your own things like where to store the software and associated programs and how to handle permissions. These are not things most consumers want to do.
...and because of this we have x million Windows machines running with little or no protection, instant worm-fodder.
Linux to me is professional-grade software - the difference between the Huffy bike you'd get when you're 10 and the 18-speed alloy frame bike you buy when you start racing. It won't always be that way; there are thousands of people out there pushing to make Linux more accessible to Mr. & Ms. Average Joe, but right now it's counterproductive to act like your average AOLer should be able to sit down with KDE and instantly feel at home.