"Free" Hardware

**christo3** · May 18th, 2014

Canonical is certainly taking another giant leap to freeing computer users through the Ubuntu Edge.
Why stop with phones? Bring back the Dell PCs powered by Ubuntu/
Free software will always be restrained unless we truly have globally accesible "free" computer hardware.
Free software always a step behind when trying to run on commercial hardware.
Example : I was so happy to find that ice-cream-sandwich android works nicely in Ubuntu14.04. My happiness was short lived when I tried connecting a jellybean device.
We need "free" hardware for "free" software.
I would certainly buy "free" everytime.

**ssam** · May 19th, 2014

Dell still sell Ubuntu laptops.
http://www.ubuntu.com/partners/dell

There are plenty of other retailers that sell pre-installed linux systems. If you say which country you are in, then someone can suggest some.

**grahammechanical** · May 19th, 2014

Ubuntu Edge never made it from the drawing board. And I do not think that the hardware would have been "free" in the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) meaning of free. I doubt very much that Dell is selling "Free" hardware. Certainly not if its machines have graphic adapters by Intel, AMD/ATI and Nvidia and anyone else for that matter.

Original Equipment Manufacturers like to keep product details secret for fear that rival companies will rival their product offering. Any deal that is done to get Ubuntu pre-installed will have to take into account the conditions imposed by the supplier/manufacturer. It will all be covered by a confidentiality agreement. In these situations Canonical becomes a "partner" with the OEM. Such as in this case.

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2014/05/u...ners-announced

Canonical's mission is around FOSS and not FOSH (Free and Open Source Hardware)

http://www.canonical.com/

http://www.canonical.com/about

Regards.

**christo3** · May 19th, 2014

It will only be a good thing for the world if FOSH and FOSS are both utilised in computers,servers and portable computers and sold just as widely as properiety software and hardware is.

**SantaFe** · May 19th, 2014

Dang, got all excited when I saw the Free Hardware title.

False advertising I say!

**RichardET** · May 20th, 2014

Originally Posted by ssam

Dell still sell Ubuntu laptops.
http://www.ubuntu.com/partners/dell

There are plenty of other retailers that sell pre-installed linux systems. If you say which country you are in, then someone can suggest some.

I just checked the Dell website (05-20-2014) and the prices are outrageous. My advice is to buy a cheap Dell with windows on it and reformat it Ubuntu - now you have a Dell branded Ubuntu laptop! But first do, have restore disks just in case you want to go backwards. I sometimes take risks though!

**m-dw** · May 22nd, 2014

Wasn't there a time (not too long ago) when pre-installed windows systems came with the option to decline the EULA on first boot? I believe that in some cases the OEM had to refund the licence cost to the consumer, and in others you were told to return the machine to the vendor for a refund.

I think there was also a time when some major UK chains used to tell their customers it was illegal to sell an IBM compatible computer without Windows installed?