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Where To Buy A Machine With Linux Pre-Installed

The Berkeley LUG has a neat aggregation of many different places where you can acquire a desktop, laptop, or even netbook with Linux pre-installed. The list starts with a link to Dell's Linux offering, includes many independent vendors, and many updates from user comments, almost all of whom seem to be drinking the Ubuntu kool-aid. "Over the last couple of years, Linux has come a long way in terms of hardware support, and these days it is relatively rare that an installation of ubuntu/fedora will be lacking any drivers for your machine. However, installing any OS can still sometimes be a tedious task and one that scares the wits out of the average computer user. And, for the expert users out there, it's just more fun to buy a computer with Linux already on it and not have to pay the Microsoft tax."

10 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. Meh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I thought it was more fun to watch your computer compile your latest ebuild list...a preinstalled environment would remove the l33tness that so many linux users thrive for.

  2. Ubuntu kool-aid by Yvan256 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Because, of course, not using Microsoft's Windows or Apple's Mac OS X isn't enough.

    You need to use an obscure Linux distro or else you'll still be a mindless sheep that other Linux users will laugh at.

    You're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

    I'll be at Milliways if anyone needs me.

    1. Re:Ubuntu kool-aid by cyphercell · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hey, I'm not going to be happy until I get full support for Linux From Scratch. I want it all to "just work". Uh, wait...

      --
      Under the influence of Post-Cyberpunk Gonzo Journalism
  3. Re:Buy a server instead by TeknoHog · · Score: 3, Funny

    Buy a server instead. These usually come with no operating system.

    For example

    Is that an example of no operating systems?

    --
    Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.
  4. Re:Try outside the US by belmolis · · Score: 2, Funny

    I didn't know it was even possible to run Linux on a TRS-80. :)

  5. Re:Its Not a Tax You Idiots by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    All right, from now on I'll call it the "mandatory fee that you pay to microsoft when buying a computer regardless of your desire to use any microsoft product." Of course, these days it's not *strictly* true - you can buy a computer without the "mandatory fee that you pay to microsoft when buying a computer regardless of your desire to use any microsoft product"... just it's hard to do. Even many (most?) computers that you manage to buy without an OS or with some flavor of Linux pre-installed include the "mandatory fee that you pay to microsoft when buying a computer regardless of your desire to use any microsoft product." (I.E. Microsoft gets mad at vendors who try to sell PC's with no OS or Linux, on the basis that the users will probably pirate windows... and so many just include a windows license in the product price anyway).

    You know what? Fuck you - "mandatory fee that you pay to microsoft when buying a computer regardless of your desire to use any microsoft product" is way too long for ordinary use, we'll just agree to call it the "Microsoft Tax" because that's the closest analogy that fits in a reasonable amount of space.

  6. I come from a Dark Star... by jonaskoelker · · Score: 5, Funny

    You need to use an obscure Linux distro or else you'll still be a mindless sheep that other Linux users will laugh at.

    I use DARKSTAR Linux, you insen... wait, I'm the insensitive clod, you sheep!

  7. Re:Driver support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    The malware runs perfectly out-of-the-box. QED.

  8. Re:Install Linux yourself by ion.simon.c · · Score: 2, Funny

    *points to forums.gentoo.org*

    They're nice and helpful over there. :)

  9. Re:Linux is not costless, it is Freedom enabling. by EvilBudMan · · Score: 2, Funny

    ---Most people will not allow a bad plumber, with a string of complaints anywhere near their shower or toilette,---

    My wife does. Guess who it is?