buying a new computer, need advice.

[Jacob-Gates]

Hey guys, I have been using Ubuntu for years now and I will never be going back to windows. Well my computer is starting to spiral down. Also I.... kinda... dropped it and now the screen won't stay up on it's own (laptop). I could buy the replacement parts but I thought, "heck, maybe I should just upgrade". I have a dell and I have loved it. I wanted to get another Dell but I don't want to have windows, and I can't put Ubuntu in without voiding the warranty. So I have been searching for computers with Ubuntu and I have heard Dell did that but can't find a computer that offers Ubuntu as an OS. Anyways, I have come across ZaReason and System76. I really like the look of the ZaReason Verix 530 (plus I can get a blueray player with them) but I have seen a few of unhappy people online with them. I'm not as hot on System76, the looks of the computers don't impress me and I can't get as many upgrades as I can with ZaReason. But System76 has more good reviews (I haven't even seen one bad review). So I thought I would ask the Ubuntu experts here.

Have any of you used, owned, or have any other kind of experience with these brands? Is there another brand you would suggest? I'm not to picky really. I just want an upgrade from my current computer. I have 3.8 gb RAM, Intel core 2 duo CPU T6400 @ 2.00ghz x 2, mobile intel gm4 express graphics, and a 320 gb sata hard drive. I put in 8 gb RAM, i7-3630QM Processor, 500 gb hard drive, and blu-ray player/burner and it came out to be $1,455 at ZaReason. Doesn't sound to bad to me. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

[iamkuriouspurpleoranj]

Dell's Ubuntu PCs are not available in every market. I cannot get them where I am. If you pick a model that ships with Ubuntu in other markets, you should have a good machine for running Ubuntu, although there may be some issues. The best thing is to check the Ubuntu Desktop certified hardware database http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/desktop/

[iamkuriouspurpleoranj]

Ok I missed the point that you needed to avoid Windows altogether.

System76 has a good reputation and indeed I am thinking of getting a PC from them. But I think they use AMD or Nvidia.

Try this, too http://www.debian.org/distrib/pre-installed

[Jacob-Gates]

Dell's Ubuntu PCs are not available in every market. I cannot get them where I am. If you pick a model that ships with Ubuntu in other markets, you should have a good machine for running Ubuntu, although there may be some issues. The best thing is to check the Ubuntu Desktop certified hardware database http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/desktop/


Ok I missed the point that you needed to avoid Windows altogether.

System76 has a good reputation and indeed I am thinking of getting a PC from them. But I think they use AMD or Nvidia.

Try this, too http://www.debian.org/distrib/pre-installed

Awesome, I have heard a lot of good things about system76, I have also read that they will do custom orders if you call them... I might give them a call tomorrow and check for myself.

[jjhiza]

+1 for System76... I was looking at the Pangolin Performance back in December, but opted to save a couple of bucks, and went with a Toshiba L855-S5372. The Toshiba was a bargain as far as actual hardware goes - I got a quad core 2.4GHz i7 machine, with 6GB of memory, and Ivybridge.... but I also got Realtek drivers. Those drivers alone have made it impossible for me (maybe I'm doing something wrong) to connect to Wi-Fi on any other distro besides Ubuntu, and while I'm satisfied with 13.04 so far, I'd like to have the option to change my distro if/when I want.

I say all that, simply to let you know that System76 builds their machines to run Ubuntu,out of the box, but they never seem to have issues with running other distros flawlessly. In retrospect, I wish I had spent the extra $145, and gotten one of their machines - boxes built to run Linux. I hear they have spectacular customer service and support, so don't be hesitant to use them. :)

[MadmanRB]

If you got ehough tech knowhow why not build your own?
Thats what I did.

[Jacob-Gates]

+1 for System76... I was looking at the Pangolin Performance back in December, but opted to save a couple of bucks, and went with a Toshiba L855-S5372. The Toshiba was a bargain as far as actual hardware goes - I got a quad core 2.4GHz i7 machine, with 6GB of memory, and Ivybridge.... but I also got Realtek drivers. Those drivers alone have made it impossible for me (maybe I'm doing something wrong) to connect to Wi-Fi on any other distro besides Ubuntu, and while I'm satisfied with 13.04 so far, I'd like to have the option to change my distro if/when I want.

I say all that, simply to let you know that System76 builds their machines to run Ubuntu,out of the box, but they never seem to have issues with running other distros flawlessly. In retrospect, I wish I had spent the extra $145, and gotten one of their machines - boxes built to run Linux. I hear they have spectacular customer service and support, so don't be hesitant to use them. :)

That's what I keep hearing, I think I will be going with them. I need to call them and see if I can get some hardware that I want that they don't offer on the site customization.


If you got ehough tech knowhow why not build your own?
Thats what I did.

I could do this (I built a computer out of scrap parts that is not plugged up to my TV), but I have heard it is a lot more difficult with a laptop because you have to find parts that will fit with each other. I would have to find a motherboard that would fit with the casing I got or vice versa. Is it as difficult as I have heard to find these coinciding parts?

[MadmanRB]

If laptop no I wouldnt bother, prefab is pretty much it.
What you may want to do though is to shop for refurbished or preused laptops if you dont want win8

[Jacob-Gates]

yeah, I just kinda want the warranty. I have bad luck with new bought items messing up, every single freaking time. Even this current computer when I first had it, the ethernet didn't work and dell had to change the motherboard. Can I get a warranty with a refurbished system?

[sudodus]

I think there are great differences between different countries and vendors. In my country you usually get one year warranty on second hand computers (unless it is very cheap), and with electronic equipment, the first few months are crucial. If the computer survives the first year it will probably run until it is obsolete. Maybe you need to change the battery and the hard disk drive.

[Jacob-Gates]

I guess I just need to do a search for refurbished systems and see what I can find. I won't get one unless it has a warranty of at least a year.

[oldfred]

You might find a retailer with old inventory or a Windows 7 system. Some even are giving the Windows 8 installer with those old inventory items.
Even if UEFI, it will not have secure boot, so a lot easier to work with.

[Jacob-Gates]

Well,the only thing with that is if they offer a warranty you usually void that warranty when you install a new OS. That's why I'm looking for one with Ubuntu preinstalled. If it wasn't for that I would just buy one of the refurbished or used systems to do what I wanted with it.

Also, I thought I would put this here just in case anyone is reading this (or will be) that is looking for a ubuntu computer. I sent an email to System76 and they said blu-ray isn't compatible with Ubuntu so that's why they don't offer it. So I already don't trust ZaReason because they are selling systems with parts that wouldn't work. Waste of money and time.

[sudodus]

Don't rule out the second-hand or refurbished systems! Tell the vendor that you intend to install linux and ask for a written warranty to be valid for that kind of usage! I think some refurbishing guys will even sell a computer without any operating system.

[Jacob-Gates]

Don't rule out the second-hand or refurbished systems! Tell the vendor that you intend to install linux and ask for a written warranty to be valid for that kind of usage! I think some refurbishing guys will even sell a computer without any operating system.

Hmm, really? That would be awesome. I'm not to hot with the System76 design (as looks go) so if I can find a computer I like the you explain I will be sooooo happy. Interesting. Let's see what I can find. Off to Google!

[Jacob-Gates]

so, I have found an Alienware I like for a dang good price. I have always wanted an alienware just because of how freaking cool they look but does anyone know if you can get all the backlite stuff working in Ubuntu? And the ability to customize it and everything?

[mips]

so, I have found an Alienware I like for a dang good price. I have always wanted an alienware just because of how freaking cool they look but does anyone know if you can get all the backlite stuff working in Ubuntu? And the ability to customize it and everything?

You know it would really help if you told people the model# of the laptop.

[Jacob-Gates]

You know it would really help if you told people the model# of the laptop.

You know, all alienware laptops have the same LED effects in them. so it doesn't matter which model# it is. Thank you for your suggestion.

[mips]

https://code.google.com/p/pyalienfx/
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Alienware_M11x#Lighting_and_colors

[PEM59]

If you are still interested in Dell, they have two sites with refirbished systems that I have had good luck with. They often have them available with No Operating system, so you can do a full Ubuntu Install without worring about Microsquish.

Dell Auctions
http://www.dellauction.com/

DFS
http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/

[kurt18947]

If you're in the U.S., go to microcenter.com, select 'notebooks and laptops' then scroll down a bit to filter results by operating system. There are several choices with new Windows 7 machines that won't have Secure Boot and probably not UEFI because most of the hard drives are 500 GB. or smaller. These come with 1 yr. parts and labor warranties. I know Microcenter & Staples sell refurbished machines as well but I think those are 90 days parts and labor.

[mips]

He has already purchased a laptop so it's pointless providing other advice.

[ShermW0829]

Is system 76 just Ubuntu?

[mips]

Is system 76 just Ubuntu?

No you can install whatever OS you like on it.

[Rukiri]

If you got ehough tech knowhow why not build your own?
Thats what I did.
Pretty much this, also the coolermaster cosmos II is great! it's what I have, I am thinking of changing it to the silverstone tj11 when I buy a new motherboard (simply just rerun grub to make sure you can still boot into your linux system lol), thinking of buying a few nvidia titans for sli(obviously this is more for the windows disk than it is for linux, I do a lot of 3D modeling and gaming, linux is still on the far other side of the radar it's barely on the map) steam will help, but steam does not have the source it just has the binaries for windows (pretty much just the CD the devs/publishers release) but for any valve developed game or to the games they have the source for it will eventually be on steam (if they're not already).

Just buy a av-receiver for sound, there pretty cheap if you just want stereo (but make sure you then have a sound card that has rca inputs and you'll have superior stereo sound compared to what would be the sound card (speakers help to)

[boog321]

If you are worried about the warranty and installing a different OS, then buy a second hard drive and swap it with the original. Just leave the original untouched.

[ShermW0829]

Thank you

[kurt18947]

If you are worried about the warranty and installing a different OS, then buy a second hard drive and swap it with the original. Just leave the original untouched.

Would imaging the whole disk work? Or would imaging programs no include restore partitions?

[sudodus]

Would imaging the whole disk work? Or would imaging programs no include restore partitions?

I think the OP is long gone, but the thread is obviously interesting for many other people, so let's keep it alive :-)

The answer is yes. An image made by dd piped via gzip will certainly do, but is a bit risky and cumbersome. As far as I know, a Clonezilla image of the whole drive will also do, but I have not checked that it also works for UEFI-GPT systems. I think Clonezilla alternate 64-bit, based on Ubuntu 12.10, can make restorable and complete images.

[Redalien0304]

Thank you PEM59 for thos 2 Links for Refurbished Dell laptops. Will come in handy when i buy one her soon.

Dell Auctions
http://www.dellauction.com/

DFS
http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/

(http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/)

[kurt18947]

I think the OP is long gone, but the thread is obviously interesting for many other people, so let's keep it alive :-)

The answer is yes. An image made by dd piped via gzip will certainly do, but is a bit risky and cumbersome. As far as I know, a Clonezilla image of the whole drive will also do, but I have not checked that it also works for UEFI-GPT systems. I think Clonezilla alternate 64-bit, based on Ubuntu 12.10, can make restorable and complete images.

I think too that there will continue to be interest in new portables that don't 'feature' UEFI and particularly Secure Boot. I expect in a year or two when manufacturers gain familiarity with the technologies and open source has time to sort things out things will get back to normal. For someone who needs a new machine NOW however .....

[oldfred]

With gpt partitioning, you can image a drive, or copy data, but gpt has more internal data like UUIDs and you cannot copy an image of one gpt partition to another like you could with MBR(msdos) partitions.

[sudodus]

With gpt partitioning, you can image a drive, or copy data, but gpt has more internal data like UUIDs and you cannot copy an image of one gpt partition to another like you could with MBR(msdos) partitions.

Does this imply that Clonezilla would fail with a gpt partition table?

[mips]

Does this imply that Clonezilla would fail with a gpt partition table?

No. Clonzilla gives you an exact copy. It's what's contained within those images that could cause issues as it might be machine specific.

[boog321]

Would imaging the whole disk work? Or would imaging programs no include restore partitions?

It should work, but then you would have to store the image somewhere safe. You might be able to compress it (zip or tgz or similar), and burn it to a blue ray (or possibly a dvd if it compresses the free space enough).

dd is my tool of choice for making images, and it should be an exact copy of the entire hdd.