What is good about system76?

[Johnsie]

Why should I buy a computer from system76? Are they good?

[GuitarHero]

They are high quality computers with ubuntu preinstalled, so you dont pay for a copy of windows xp you wont use.

[Johnsie]

ok it has ubuntu on it, is that the only difference?

[prizrak]

They have quality hardware that comes with Linux preinstalled, which guarantees that it will work well. Other than that there isn't much difference between them and other computers, they are nothing but computers as you can imagine.

[Johnsie]

ok, thanks for your comments. I was actually thinking of starting something similar in the UK. Desktops are easy but I'm not sure how one would go about branding laptops.

[samir85]

I've recently looked up System76 for a laptop. In my opinion they overpriced there, it's better to buy a laptop with Windows preinstalled on it and replace it with Ubuntu ;)

[Wallakoala]

some guy on these forums said that when he ordered a laptop from dell and sony he called them up and was very insistent that he did not want windows. He said he got the laptop for about 100 bucks cheaper.

Has anybody else done this?

[cleverselfreferentialname]

some guy on these forums said that when he ordered a laptop from dell and sony he called them up and was very insistent that he did not want windows. He said he got the laptop for about 100 bucks cheaper.

Yeah, this is reminicent of the "Windows Refund" efforts. We all should do it whenever possible. The more people that do it, the more supportive vendors will have to be of Linux.

See this: http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7040

[Ubunted]

Why should I buy a computer from system76? Are they good?

I'll let you know in about 2-3 weeks when mine arrives. :D

[prizrak]

From what I know ASUS sells barebones that work well with Linux. Someone here mentioned that System 76 is nothing but ASUS laptops actually.

[sophtpaw]

I haven't come across anyone who specializes in laptops with Linux on it who doesn't over-charge in my opinion.
the whole idea is that its supposed to be cheaper as they're passing on the saving of not installing windows.

As it is it seems cheaper everytime to grab one of the deals out there with Windows on it and then installing Linux oneself. The advantage, and maybe this is why we're asked to pay so much more, with buying from someoene who installs linux on the laptop is that they are guaranteeing that everything is gonna work already. They've taken the work out of it and figured it all out. That sort of peace of mind could be worth it, if money is not an issue.

[aysiu]

I think the 12" laptops at System76 are pretty reasonably priced. I haven't seen too many 12" Windows-preloaded laptops for under US$1200.

And sophtpaw's right--you're paying for a little peace of mind--you know the hardware compatibility is there.

In reality, you're paying for the hardware bulk discounts that the vendors are not getting. I'm sure Dell and HP get better deals on hardware than System76 does.

[RAV TUX]

ok, thanks for your comments. I was actually thinking of starting something similar in the UK. Desktops are easy but I'm not sure how one would go about branding laptops.
There is a company in the UK that sales Thinkpads preinstalled with ubuntu, you may want to consult with them:

http://www.linuxemporium.co.uk/products/laptops/

good luck on your endeavor I wish you the best.

You may want to research how to become a Ubuntu partner like System76 is:

System76 is a Level I: Ubuntu Affiliate (http://www.ubuntu.com/partners/become/affiliate)

http://www.ubuntu.com/partners/become

[fuscia]

i'm quite happy with mine.

[samir85]

I wonder if there's such shop available in Germany or at least in the European Union (I want to pay in my currency :D) ?

[Bloch]

A shop where I live in Dublin, Ireland offers systems with ubuntu for + 60euro and windows for + 110euro (no OS for + 0 euro)
http://www.marxcomputers.ie/

It seems to be only in the USA that the price reduction of non-windows does not get passed on. There are no laptops with linux in Ireland, but I have seen them in shops in Poland and Spain. I think it is far more common in Europe to buy a computer without an operating system. More and more of these are choosing linux.

[ubuntu_demon]

Too bad there's no Ubuntu (laptop) shop like system76 in the netherlands. If there was and I had the money I might have bought :

Gazelle Value - Display: 12.1” Widescreen WXGA (1280X800)
http://system76.com/product_info.php/cPath/1/products_id/161

Is 4.4 lbs much for a 12" laptop ?

[RAV TUX]

I wonder if there's such shop available in Germany or at least in the European Union (I want to my in my currency :D) ?
there is one in Belgium:

Linux Service - Gavere, belgium

also a Ubuntu partner
http://www.linux-service.be/laptop.htm

[Derek Djons]

I don't know anything about System76 but you should also consider which company provides you with the best support.

[samir85]

there is one in Belgium:

Linux Service - Gavere, belgium

also a Ubuntu partner
http://www.linux-service.be/laptop.htm

Hey, thanks for the link. Too bad this company doesn't offer Intel Centrino Duo laptops yet :(

[tsb]

Seemed to be way overpriced and when you select components you don't see exactly which component you are getting, just some basic specs. That's never good. Run Forest, run!

[prizrak]

Seemed to be way overpriced and when you select components you don't see exactly which component you are getting, just some basic specs. That's never good. Run Forest, run!
No different from Dell or Toshiba in my experience.

[YourSurrogateGod]

Yeah, this is reminicent of the "Windows Refund" efforts. We all should do it whenever possible. The more people that do it, the more supportive vendors will have to be of Linux.

See this: http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7040
I remember asking my former boss about laptop reliability. He said that in general, the major vendors tend to suck at it. Dell, HP and Sony laptops -- 50% of them in a study done by my boss 3 years ago -- needed atleast one component replaced after 6 months. Those are pretty crappy odds. system76 has good components, not some cheap crap bought at bargain basement prices so that the bottom line of ACME Computers Inc. will see reduced costs.

And having good components are definitely a good thing. Even if your major vendor provides good servicing if the machine breaks down (such as Dell), you'll still have to return the darn thing to their factory/repair center. This will cut into your time of using and playing around with the PC. Not fun. I know, I've had a Gateway before that had to be returned 2-3 times. Even if you do have good insurance on it, it's best to have the thing run as long as possible without someone taking it apart.

Note: I'm not trying to create the impression that you shouldn't buy insurance on a system76, you should, but it's best to buy a laptop that makes as little use of this as possible.

[YourSurrogateGod]

Seemed to be way overpriced and when you select components you don't see exactly which component you are getting, just some basic specs. That's never good. Run Forest, run!
At the end, when you finalize your purchase (before you enter your credit card number and such), you usually get a list (atleast from my experience when I've looked) of the components that go into your laptop.

[YourSurrogateGod]

When it comes to being over-priced for the stuff that you get, I've always thought that Apple has led the pack. I've looked at some of the power books and such that they've had and realized that I can get the same performance from machines that can be up to $500 cheaper.

[Iandefor]

I'd prefer to get a whitebox and hack it, but Groovix' prices seem reasonable.

http://groovix.com/groovix.html

[RAV TUX]

I'd prefer to get a whitebox and hack it, but Groovix' prices seem reasonable.

http://groovix.com/groovix.html

Thanks for the link, seems like a very good company.

[Johnsie]

Hmmm.... I'm thinking that it would prolly be best just to buy ready made OSless laptops that work with several OS's and just offer the a choice of operating system to the buyer. Instead of branding them I could just put a sticker on them saying my company name but not put it over the company that actually built the laptop. Branding deskops is no problem though 'cos they're so easy to build and get parts for :-)

[ubuntu_demon]

there is one in Belgium:

Linux Service - Gavere, belgium

also a Ubuntu partner
http://www.linux-service.be/laptop.htm

system76.com is an affiliate http://www.ubuntu.com/partners/find while http://www.linux-service.be is only listed on the market place.

But more importantly http://www.linux-service.be doesn't have a nice 12" pentium M laptop.

It doesn't matter very much to me personally as I don't have enough money anyway but it would be very nice for my fellow dutchmen if the Netherlands had something like system76.com

[ubuntu_demon]

Here's an interesting thread :

My new system76 gazelle value laptop
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=215690

[Brunellus]

Seemed to be way overpriced and when you select components you don't see exactly which component you are getting, just some basic specs. That's never good. Run Forest, run!
I don't know about "overpriced." Their Gazelle series seems price-competitive for a 12 inch notebook.

Think of it like this--For the same price, you could get a Dell...but then I'd have to make do without a second (spare) battery.

[Slugger]

Another Great Place for Linux computers is

www.fossystems.com

Buy & Sell free open source systems

Would you stop spamming the forums with your company?