Not making you guys look bad or anything, but.....................

[ubuntuman001]

you can get a dell right now with 512 ram, 80 Gig HD, 2.5 Ghz intel celeron D, and cd burner/dvd player all for......like $330. see it for your self: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DB110A&s=dhs

my point is, how come system 76 computers seem so expensive, even though it has only open-source software? Dell on the other hand, is all closed-source software, yet this deal is a real bargain.

system 76 must make all of their money from hardware sales and customer support, i guess. but how does dell make money then?

[Kaloma]

Hmmm... I wonder if Dell is trying to offload all their laptops with the spontaneous combustion "feature." ;)

Matthew

[aysiu]

How about bulk discounts?

[crichell]

I don't think you're making us look bad at all. A cheap celeron processor versus an AMD Athlon 64 , cheap Dell components versus quality System76 components, and customer service that knows what your talking about when you say Ubuntu.

[ubuntuman001]

I don't think you're making us look bad at all. A cheap celeron processor versus an AMD Athlon 64 , cheap Dell components versus quality System76 components, and customer service that knows what your talking about when you say Ubuntu.
ah, you got a point there. how come you guys opted more for 64-bit chips than 32-bit? i thought the 64-bit edition of ubuntu was not at all as compatible with stuff as the 32-bit version.

so how does the support thing work with system76? does the hardware warranty include customer support? (hardware & software?)

just asking...(i know that most of my questions can be answered here...)

[crichell]

We choose AMD on the desktop for performance and also that people generally prefer AMD on their desktops. We've seen a positive response (our first generation were Intel's.)

We use the 32 bit version of Ubuntu on desktops. Using the 64 bit version is to confusing for new users. Many of our customers are new. I couldn't imagine chrooting apps if it were my first go at Linux. It sounds like true 32/64 bit compatibility is a goal of Edgy so users will have a path to 64 bit if they so choose.

Support covers all of the hardware and software. We of course can't answer every open source software question but we do our best.

[gmc]

I don't think you're making us look bad at all. A cheap celeron processor versus an AMD Athlon 64 , cheap Dell components versus quality System76 components, and customer service that knows what your talking about when you say Ubuntu.

There ends the lesson for today. Had I known about System76 prior to getting my current laptop, I would be happy to throw my business their way. Needless to say, when it's time to replace my machine, System76 will be on my short list to check for a system.

G.

[ubuntuman001]

We choose AMD on the desktop for performance and also that people generally prefer AMD on their desktops. We've seen a positive response (our first generation were Intel's.)

We use the 32 bit version of Ubuntu on desktops. Using the 64 bit version is to confusing for new users. Many of our customers are new. I couldn't imagine chrooting apps if it were my first go at Linux. It sounds like true 32/64 bit compatibility is a goal of Edgy so users will have a path to 64 bit if they so choose.

Support covers all of the hardware and software. We of course can't answer every open source software question but we do our best.okay, thanks for the info

[happyisland]

I would also point out that System76 has a knowledgeable company rep constantly available to field questions on this site. They install Ubuntu and know it inside and out. Since you're doing a compare/contrast, now try to get any of your questions answered by someone at Dell. Good luck with that. I am really impressed by System76's dedication to this OS and to good customer service and will definitely be buying my next computer from them.

[lord trousers]

I've had two budget Dell laptops, and I'm not going back. The first was just generally crappy, and the second overheated when stressed because the fan connector was put on backwards (http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=223905).

I bought my laptop from System76 for two reasons:

1) I could be sure it would run Ubuntu and the hardware would be supported (I didn't want to gamble, buying a Dell laptop and hoping it would all work - chances are good, but not guaranteed)

2) I do computer vision research, and my code is in Python. I needed a dual-core processor with tons of cache and a fast FSB. The Pangolin with the right options was just perfect.

The system is very solid, and for what I do, it's almost as fast as the Wild Dog I just got in the mail yesterday. :D

[alecjw]

Maybe you should make lower quality computers, like Dell. I would be interested in buying a laptop with ubuntu preinstalled, but I don't want anything fancy. 256MB RAM, 40GB HDD and intel celeron processor would do just fine for me. Since you don't do cheaper computers, I was going to get one from Dell and get my refund for windoze, then install ubuntu. Also , is there any way of paying in other currenies (GBP£)?

[Buffalo Soldier]

I was going to get one from Dell and get my refund for windozeThat is not an easy thing to achieve.

[alecjw]

The EULA (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eula.mspx) states that: IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO NOT INSTALL, COPY, OR USE THE SOFTWARE; YOU MAY RETURN IT TO YOUR PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND, IF APPLICABLE. So I can get a refund.

[aysiu]

Yes, you can get a refund, but--as Buffalo Soldier has already said--it won't be easy.

[ubuntuman001]

The EULA (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eula.mspx) states that: IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO NOT INSTALL, COPY, OR USE THE SOFTWARE; YOU MAY RETURN IT TO YOUR PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND, IF APPLICABLE. So I can get a refund.key words: IF APPLICABLE

[crichell]

Maybe you should make lower quality computers

We put a lot of effort into making our prices low without sacrificing quality. Quality is important. If your computer doesn't last for one reason or another it ends up costing more anyway - I just can't see doing that to our customers.

[alecjw]

We put a lot of effort into making our prices low without sacrificing quality. Quality is important. If your computer doesn't last for one reason or another it ends up costing more anyway - I just can't see doing that to our customers.

Sorry, I meant lower spec but I'm stupid so I got my words confused.

[bfakefree]

Why not the Intel Duo Core Processor, I thought they have overtaken AMD for now that is, I think you guys are making a mistake my cutting Intel out, I would perfer having a choice.

[crichell]

We use Intel Core Duo throughout our lineup. They're great laptop processors.

[bfakefree]

and the desktops, sorry I should have been more specific, I did see that you had them for Laptops, but what about the desktop

Great thing you doing anyway!!!

[crichell]

You're right - we only carrying AMD based desktops. Choice is always nice but there's a fine line between having to much choice so that it's overwhelming and to little so that you don't fulfill the needs of your customers. We try to hold that line by determining where the most value is for our customers. As of now that value is in Intel for laptops and AMD for desktops. Where's the most Bang for Your Buck you could say.

[Ptero-4]

erik. The higher price is because.
1> The guys at System76 actually use high quality hardware (unlike the POS cheapware DELL slides up their customer throats).
2> System76 computers "just work" with linux (these guys at System76 provide the same HW/SO/SW integration level that Apple provides, and in some aspects they even teach Apple a couple tricks in this aspect).
3> You get full warranty (for up to 3 years) with your purchase (install linux on a dell and your 90 days warranty is void).
and finally.
4> You get the assurance that the computer you bought will always obey you even if you tell it to play a pirated mp3 (all the new computers from Windoze-based oems are programmed to obey the US gov and disobey the person sitting in front of the computer).

P.d: the moment I get my hands in a creditcard I'm going to order a System76 laptop (I live in a centro american country so lack of a creditcard is holding me from making online purchases).

[louistan3]

hi guys... does system 76 ship to new zealand? would anyone knw how much that would cost to ship it here? like for a desktop for example... :)

[crichell]

Actually we're shipping some notebooks of to New Zealand this week. For a notebook you looking at around $120. Desktops are heavier so probably around $150.