Buy a per-install Linux computer or post-install on a Windows machine

jtso8 · 10-03-2011, 11:17 PM

My laptop has finally past away after five very long years of service. I would like to support a company that builds its own computers and per-installs Ubuntu, but I am a little unsure because I've never heard of any of these companies and most of the reviews that I have found are pretty old. I'm unsure of if I should play it safe with a well known company and save some money or if I should try out a Linux based computer company. I'm just trying to get a feel for where a good place might be to buy a Linux based computer or if I should just go with a windows based and then install Linux.

j-ray · 10-04-2011, 01:49 AM

You can buy one without OS and then install whatever linux distribution you want. You just have to download and burn an iso image on a dvd and run the install from that disc. It's not difficult. If you can't burn a dvd you can let the distributor send it to you for free or for a very low fee...

jtso8 · 10-04-2011, 10:06 AM

I had Ubuntu on my old laptop and on some of my family members computer and I'm sure most people just bought or buy a windows machine and then install Ubuntu over windows, but I am asking If anyone has bought a computer with Ubuntu pre-installed on a computer that they built. I want to support a company that build computer just for Ubuntu, but its hard to get a feel for a computer that you can't just go to the store and play with.

TobiSGD · 10-04-2011, 10:50 AM

I never bought a system there (I never bought a system with any OS pre-installed, if you don't count the pre-installed FreeDOS on my HP laptop), but this seems to be what you want: http://www.system76.com/

jefro · 10-05-2011, 04:03 PM

The only way to have full support is to buy from a company that installs linux. Almost no company offers ubuntu but you may wish to support any of the bigger companies that offer things like redhat or suse. I doubt it would be worth your efforts.

Just buy a system that has windows on it and be sure to keep the media in case you wish to donate it later.

cascade9 · 10-05-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD

I never bought a system there (I never bought a system with any OS pre-installed, if you don't count the pre-installed FreeDOS on my HP laptop), but this seems to be what you want: http://www.system76.com/

System 76 doesnt actually make laptops at all, they just resell laptops (mostly lenovo as far as I know). Same thing is true of Zareason-

http://zareason.com/shop/Laptops/