Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Ask Slashdot: Buying a Laptop That Doesn't Have Windows 8

Posted by timothy on from the craigslist-if-available dept.

First time accepted submitter Sagan's Pie writes "I'm starting to look for a laptop for college, and the only thing I seem to find are laptops or tablets that have Windows 8. I have used Windows 7 for a long time now, and would not have a problem giving it up, but not for Windows 8. After visiting many major online retail sites, I've found that finding either a Windows 7 laptop, or even a laptop without an operating system is nearly impossible. So where should I go if looking for laptops sans os, or at the very least sans Windows 8?"

32 of 570 comments (clear)

  1. Try NewEgg by GeckoFood · · Score: 5, Informative

    NewEgg still sells Windows 7 laptops. Go into the laptops/notebooks section and enter Windows 7 as a keyword. Some of the units that come back are refurbs, but some are brand new.

    --
    Be excellent to each other. And... PARTY ON, DUDES!
    1. Re:Try NewEgg by rudy_wayne · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Buy a computer that has the specs you want, then wipe the hard drive and install Windows 7. Problem solved.

    2. Re:Try NewEgg by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Or check out this site: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop .

    3. Re:Try NewEgg by linebackn · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Buy a computer that has the specs you want, then wipe the hard drive and install Windows 7. Problem solved.

      Except it is not always that simple. Supposedly there are already some laptops out there that lack drivers for Windows 7. The number of incompatible laptops will increase as time goes on.

      There is also the problem of support. Vendors may refuse to support your hardware if it does not have the factory provided OS or software on it.

      And on top of that, you would be paying for an additional windows license.

    4. Re:Try NewEgg by cayenne8 · · Score: 4, Informative
      Have you tried the Apple store?

      No windows 8 there.

      :)

      However, on a more serious note...you could get a nice macbook pro....and install VMWare on it...and get a OEM copy of Win 7 (I still seem them on newegg for a decent price)...and run it in a VM.

      This combo allows you to have the best of all worlds on one computer...OSX, Windows (your fav. flavor) and Linux...etc.

      That's actually the route I went.

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    5. Re:Try NewEgg by gQuigs · · Score: 4, Informative

      From what I understand that will depend on the UEFI implentation of the Windows 8 machine. That may no longer work depending on the manufacturer.

      If you can't disable secure boot you won't be able to even install Windows 7, much less my preferred Ubuntu.

    6. Re:Try NewEgg by Hatta · · Score: 5, Informative

      Buy a computer that has the specs you want. Then wipe the hard drive and install Debian. Return the Windows 8 license for a refund. Problem solved.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    7. Re:Try NewEgg by MightyMartian · · Score: 4, Funny

      We just bought eight Toshiba Satellites with Windows 7 installed. Funny part was they didn't even ask if we wanted Windows 7. It wasn't until they were just about to ship it that my rep called and said "I forgot to ask whether you wanted Windows 8 or not." I imagine they're getting so few business customers wanting Windows 8 it slips their mind.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    8. Re:Try NewEgg by TsuruchiBrian · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Theoretically, a website shouldn't even know what OS you are using. It is more likely to be looking at which browser you are using via the user agent, and sometimes this can be a giveaway as to which OS you are using (e.g. you are probably running Linux if you are running iceweasel). This user agent field is changeable to whatever you want, it is usually there to help web servers send you stuff that is going to work in your browser. Usually websites either give you a version of their website that is customized for your browser or some generic default if they don't recognize the browser you are using. Maybe the McGraw Hill Connect website is just written sloppily and it is rejecting your user agent. Depending on your browser, there is probably a way to change it. There may even be a way to change it for just that one web site.

      There is also a possibility that you are using a browser that is blocking popups by default. Some websites assume you are using IE and therefore likely have popups enabled. This is kind of dumb, because I am not even sure IE allows them anymore.

    9. Re:Try NewEgg by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 4, Informative

      All Win8 machines that have the "designed for Win8" sticker are required to have the ability to disable UEFI Secure Boot.

    10. Re:Try NewEgg by Digital+Vomit · · Score: 4, Funny

      Typical internet advice:

      Q: "So where should I go if looking for laptops sans OS, or at the very least sans Windows 8?"

      A: "Buy a laptop with Windows 8, then..."

      --
      Modern copyright is theft of culture from everyone and it retards the progress of the useful arts and sciences.
  2. system76 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    https://www.system76.com/

    1. Re:system76 by cab15625 · · Score: 5, Informative

      Just to clarify for the AC, system 76 sells/ships laptops, desktops, and servers with Ubuntu. If you are a linux user or feel like you might be ready to take the plunge, this is a good place to start. At least their systems are fully linux compatible. Even if you don't like ubuntu and have some other pet distribution, it has a better chance of working on one of these than if you get a windows laptop and flush the hard drive to install linux. Bonus: no windows tax, and no money to MS (except for possible hidden patent trolling on hardware or firmware).

  3. MacBook or Dell by MightyYar · · Score: 4, Informative

    Get a Macbook and then put Windows 7 on it.

    Dell also has a Windows 7 page.

    I'm sure any business-friendly vendor will have the same if you poke around.

    --
    W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
    1. Re:MacBook or Dell by MightyYar · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Replying to myself... Dell links to Windows 8 laptops from their Windows 7 page... ugh.

      Still, they have Windows 7 laptops:
      XPS 13
      Their m5030 is in the stores.
      Latitude 2xxx
      Latitude E5xxx

      Go to their Business site, select laptops, and check the box for Windows 7.

      --
      W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
  4. Another alternative. by murph · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://zareason.com/

    --
    I don't care about your karma, I don't care about what's hip. --Weird Al
  5. Lenovo by b_dover · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Order it an you can choose 7 instead of 8

  6. Buy in the small business section by metrometro · · Score: 5, Informative

    The big PC maker's online storefronts have a consumer and business section. Your milage may vary but the business section of say, Dell or Lenovo, tilts towards good build quality, OS flexibility, and less crapware. Finding a Win7 machine is no problem at all.

    http://shop.lenovo.com/us/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x230

  7. Clevo / Sager by oic0 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Clevo based laptops typically come configured however you want and lacking whatever you don't want. No OS? no problem. You can also get em without hard drive, memory, chip, video card, whatever. They can be bought bare bones or with as much as you want in em. Also, the screen selection on them is usually much better. You can opt for much higher resolution than youll get in a dell etc...

  8. Do you use the start menu often? by Kelbear · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I never do.

    Really, the biggest change in Windows 8, is that I have to press the windows key when I login. Nothing else really changed in the OS for me. I still just hit win+r for the "Run" prompt, or click a shortcut in the number of places I've aggregated them that make much more sense than Win 7's start menu layout. I got Windows 8 because it was just $15 for a valid windows license.

    I'm in full agreement that there's no reason to upgrade from windows 7 to windows 8. But if you get windows 8, it's not the end of the world (unless you're really married to the start menu). Or hell, if you really need the start menu, just go download it and install it. If you're on slashdot you should know how to do this. This askslashdot is kind of a no-brainer.

  9. System76 by Kryai · · Score: 4, Informative

    I just purchased a laptop from https://www.system76.com/ their laptops come only with Ubuntu, had excellent customization options, and reasonable pricing (why is it so hard to customize laptops nowadays, when did this happen =\ ) My colleague recommended them and I get my laptop Monday so I don't have first hand experience yet, but I just had to make this decision and that's what I ended with selecting.

  10. Re:Just use windows 8... by TimCook7314 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Actually, please don't do this. M$ needs to know what a hunk of crap they've released reflected by low sales.

  11. Thinkpad by oGMo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Get a Thinkpad. I just got a W530 with a 1920x1080 screen, one of the few you can find outside Apple. It has great Linux support, even down to the silly fingerprint reader. I can easily get 7 hours or so on the battery with the recommended tweaks. There's a whole wiki just for Thinkpad stuff.

    It ships with Windows 7, but you never have to boot into Windows. You can blow away the whole drive, "recovery" and "boot" partitions, and never look back. It has a conventional BIOS in addition to UEFI (disabled by default; leave it that way), so you shouldn't have any issues there.

    It's a tank, it's not terribly sexy like an ultrabook, but it's great if you want a desktop-fast Linux-friendly workstation laptop.

    --

    Don't think of it as a flame---it's more like an argument that does 3d6 fire damage

  12. Re:Just use windows 8...Pirate 7 by Jeng · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Sure Microsoft isn't just working to get paid twice?

    Once for the Windows 8 license that the oem pays for and once for the Windows 7 that the customer puts on it for twice the price the oem paid for Windows 8.

    So screw that, the pirated copies of Windows 7 are getting much better, just go with that.

    --
    Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
  13. Re:Downgrade Rights by omnichad · · Score: 4, Informative

    That has nothing to do with using downgrade rights. You have to get downgrade media from the OEM, however.

    http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx

  14. did i end up on Ehow.com ?!? by hurfy · · Score: 5, Informative

    Get out of the stores with 3 choices, perhaps?

    here
    http://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-14-G4-2149se-Butterfly-Blossom-Design-Laptop-PC-with-AMD-A6-4400M-Processor-and-Windows-7-Home-Premium-with-Windows-8-Upgrade-Option-bundled-with/21191020

    Newegg had 144 hits (lots of refurb, but better than craigslist suggested below!) on win 7 home premium alone.
    Dell, Tigerdirect, even Walmart all had them.

    I think this was meant to be posted next year...... ...and all those refurbs will still be there, even if new isn't....

  15. Re:Just use windows 8... by AlphaWolf_HK · · Score: 5, Informative

    I've been using windows 8 for a while (got it for free) and I'd have to say it is far from a "hunk of crap". Yes, metro sucks, but you don't have to use it, which is what GP suggests.

    Some things I like about 8 are this: reduced memory/disk footprint, easier access to commonly used functions (mouse to the far bottom left, right click; works with start8 too, though some start menu replacements disable this useful feature) more efficient copy dialog that even shows instantaneous rather than average transfer rates (pretty nice feature to have, yet shockingly windows 8 is the only OS that does it) better explorer functions like e.g. "admin console here", and built in support for mounting iso's. With windows 7 you have to add these in on your own, with windows 8 they are already there.

    If you want to show your distaste with metro, enable the customer experience reporting setting and just don't use it. They actually do make design decisions based on that.

    --
    Careful with names containing L slashdot.org/~AiphaWolf_HK slashdot.org/~AlphaWoif_HK slashdot.org/~AiphaWoif_HK
  16. Re:Just use windows 8... by wolfemi1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Tim Cook? You're hardly a disinterested third party. :)

  17. Ubuntu.. by Paracelcus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Problem Solved!

    --
    I killed da wabbit -Elmer Fudd
  18. Re:Is it normal ? by myowntrueself · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.classicshell.net/

    Windows 8 is fine, its pretty fast, and with one simple third party UI extension is actually usable.

    --
    In the free world the media isn't government run; the government is media run.
  19. Re:Just use windows 8... by steelfood · · Score: 4, Insightful

    reduced memory/disk footprint

    Wait, what? Smaller disk footprint?

    better explorer functions like e.g. "admin console here", and built in support for mounting iso's. With windows 7 you have to add these in on your own, with windows 8 they are already there.

    With windows 8, you need to add the start button on your own. I'll take the start button over some little-used run cmd as admin anytime.

    If you want to show your distaste with metro, enable the customer experience reporting setting and just don't use it. They actually do make design decisions based on that.

    I have a better idea. Instead of we the end user put up with Microsoft's crap just so we can give them feedback, why not just give them feedback by not purchasing it at all.

    Is that Stockholm syndrome I smell?

    --
    "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
  20. Re:Is it normal ? by Darinbob · · Score: 4, Informative

    Well, wipe and reinstall win7 is not cheap. Windows 7 is not given away, and if you don't have an old non-OEM version hanging around it will cost you.

    Really the reason so many people have Windows is because it comes free or close to free with computers. If people ever had to pay full non-OEM prices then it would die quickly.