Buying hardware without Windows

[riph72]

Hello all,

I'm switching over gradually to Ubuntu (from many years of XP) and have been wondering, if I wanted to buy e.g. a laptop in the future, just how difficult is it to do so without getting Windows bundled, i.e. without paying MS for something I don't require?

I have a fondness for Dell Latitudes at the moment, what about Dell in particular?

As a slight aside, how much % does MS take from a typical desktop/laptop sale when Windows is bundled?

Regards,
Richard.

[szymon_g]

you can always buy it with windows installed, than- disagree with EULA (make sure you took a photo of it) and write to laptop-producer to get MS refund. its usually a couple of pounds/bucks.

[_h_]

I'm not exactly sure if computer companies sell stock computers without Windows, you would probably have to do a custom computer and probably get a blank drive which you can install Ubuntu on right from the start.

As for how much Microsoft takes as cut from computer sales with prepacked Windows I am not exactly sure on.

[MooPi]

Dell, System76, Zareason, buntfu.com just to name a few vendors for Linux laptops

[swoll1980]

You will find that prices for Machines with Linux preinstalled, are unreasonable. It's better just to buy a Windows Machine, and format it, or build your own if you're looking for a desktop.

[riph72]

you can always buy it with windows installed, than- disagree with EULA (make sure you took a photo of it) and write to laptop-producer to get MS refund. its usually a couple of pounds/bucks.
I'm amazed that Windows is worth as little as that OEM?!

[riph72]

I'm not exactly sure if computer companies sell stock computers without Windows, you would probably have to do a custom computer and probably get a blank drive which you can install Ubuntu on right from the start.
Easier said than done with a laptop though? Is it even possible to build a laptop from scratch?

[LowSky]

You will find that prices for Machines with Linux preinstalled, are unreasonable. It's better just to buy a Windows Machine, and format it, or build your own if you're looking for a desktop.

totally agree, and having a "free" copy of Windows sometimes comes in handy, like when you try to watch a movie and you have audio but no video.... sorry my current issue... LOL

[riph72]

You will find that prices for Machines with Linux preinstalled, are unreasonable. It's better just to buy a Windows Machine, and format it, or build your own if you're looking for a desktop.
I'd have to live with the knowledge that I've still paid the MS tax then though!

I guess machines with Linux are expensive compared to Windows due to economies of scale, I can live with that. But really I want a machine with neither (so I can put on Linux myself)...

[LowSky]

Easier said than done with a laptop though? Is it even possible to build a laptop from scratch?


sort of
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856172010

[cascade9]

I'm amazed that Windows is worth as little as that OEM?!

IIRC, it came out a 2001/2002 that at least some of the manufacturers were payning about $20 US per licence. Of course, they arent going to give you all of that back...and from what I know they still have to pay windows even if you reject the EULA and get a refund.


Easier said than done with a laptop though? Is it even possible to build a laptop from scratch?

Yes. They are sometimes call 'white box laptops', 'DIY' or 'barebones'. Pretty hard to find them though.

BTW, windows is not chraged as a % of costs, its a flat fee. Which is why industry analysts were saying that 'linux has a chance to go mainstream on netbooks'- because the amount microsoft charged as a % cost of the machine was much higher than in other markets.

[Henry Flower]

But really I want a machine with neither (so I can put on Linux myself)...

Well, neither OS being pre-installed will prevent you overwriting it with any flavour of Linux you like. Pre-installed Linux might be an indication the hardware is relatively Linux-friendly.

[mickie.kext]

I'd have to live with the knowledge that I've still paid the MS tax then though!

I guess machines with Linux are expensive compared to Windows due to economies of scale, I can live with that. But really I want a machine with neither (so I can put on Linux myself)...

Better to buy from ZaReason or System76. It's more quality machines who are guarantied to work with Linux. No stupid "install Linux/lose warranty" policy. Economics of scale is not to much of an issue with x86 hardware, they are not making it by themselves but rather resell picked HQ models from other makers which are tested to work with Linux. That is why is more expensive. And of course, they like high margins:D.

Also, you could look for Laptops with freeDOS.

[krazyd]

HP elitebooks are awesome and can be bought unbundled (they just have FreeDOS installed).
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF04a/321957-321957-64295-3740645-3955549.html

some of their other business notebooks are too i believe.

[Elfy]

I see you are in the UK - there are a few here that will sell you linux pre-installed but I do know that you can get OS free laptops from novatech that work. They also have a linux forum now so you can check before you buy.

[bpalone]

I'm not familiar with the UK, but you can possibly find a used laptop without an OS on an auction site. My experience with used has been good over the years, but your mileage may vary.

[standingwave]

I'd have to live with the knowledge that I've still paid the MS tax then though!I figure that the Windows tax is somewhat offset by all the pre-installed crapware that OEM's are paid to install: NetZero, AOL, Norton trial, PC-cillin, etc.

[Tikkyca]

You can allways buy a pc,or a laptop with windows,and then install ubuntu,or dual boot if you wan't,however there are some pc and laptops with ubuntu pre-installed.

[MasterNetra]

I'd have to live with the knowledge that I've still paid the MS tax then though!

I guess machines with Linux are expensive compared to Windows due to economies of scale, I can live with that. But really I want a machine with neither (so I can put on Linux myself)...

http://www.system76.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=92
$434 with a external CD/DVD RW.
Enough said. It might not be a powerhouse but its low price and even comes with a built in web-cam and its light. Granted the screen is only 10.1" but at least your not paying the MS tax. ;) They also have other laptops if your willing to pay more.

Also note the Dell Mini 10 customized to the level of the starling is $459. or it can be $10 less if you leave the battery as is. But by default the Dell Mini's Battery is a 3 cell where by default starling's is 6. Plus the Mini doesn't come with a built in web cam.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dncwea2&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-inspiron-10

I've heard complaints about system76 being expensive, but really for the hardware its sporting its cheaper then other laptops and desktops in general with the same tech specs. The whole they are over priced is crap. But I will say they could use more cheaper builds between the starling and the Lemur laptops.

[scouser73]

Hello all,

I'm switching over gradually to Ubuntu (from many years of XP) and have been wondering, if I wanted to buy e.g. a laptop in the future, just how difficult is it to do so without getting Windows bundled, i.e. without paying MS for something I don't require?

I have a fondness for Dell Latitudes at the moment, what about Dell in particular?

As a slight aside, how much % does MS take from a typical desktop/laptop sale when Windows is bundled?

Regards,
Richard.

I'm looking at buying a desktop and found this site that sells computers where you can specify no Operating System installation: PC Specialist (http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/)

[Simon17]

Preinstalled OEM Windows is usually Free(TM) (as in beer). The "crapware" that comes on these computers (AOL, trial software, etc.) subsidizes the cost of Windows.

[ronniew]

This is the direct link to the laptops listed on Buntfu that are preinstalled with Ubuntu.

http://www.buntfu.com/categories.php?parent_id=1880

Lots of different systems from different vendors and individuals.

[swoll1980]

This is the direct link to the laptops listed on Buntfu that are preinstalled with Ubuntu.

http://www.buntfu.com/categories.php?parent_id=1880

Lots of different systems from different vendors and individuals.

The prices are worse than comparable Macs.

[oceanside]

Is anyone aware of any future Dell offerings with Ubuntu? Right now they only have 2 10" and 1 13" laptop...but I would really prefer a 14.1 or 15.4". I'm looking for something in the area of $500 and it would be great if I could upgrade the ram with an extra stick of 2 gb ddr3 I have lying around...also I prefer not to pay the windows tax.

[swoll1980]

Is anyone aware of any future Dell offerings with Ubuntu? Right now they only have 2 10" and 1 13" laptop...but I would really prefer a 14.1 or 15.4". I'm looking for something in the area of $500 and it would be great if I could upgrade the ram with an extra stick of 2 gb ddr3 I have lying around...also I prefer not to pay the windows tax.

From what I hear they dropped support for Ubuntu completely. You can't even order the ones on the web page anymore, they will tell you they no longer carry them.

[julianb]

I work with some folks who need low cost computers that will not get a lot of virus problems.

For this, I've been buying EEEpc computers that come with linux preinstalled. I'm not particularly fond of the EEEpc linux, so i delete it and put ubuntu instead.

Microsoft has no part of this process.

[oceanside]

From what I hear they dropped support for Ubuntu completely. You can't even order the ones on the web page anymore, they will tell you they no longer carry them.

For the heck of it, I chatted with a Dell rep tonight. He confirmed that Dell does plan to continue to support ubuntu in the future, and noted that the selections will change on April 13 2010.