Windows free notebooks

[amazingdave5]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has any recent information on manufacturers that will ship systems without windows preinstalled.

Dell used to sell systems with freedos but i dont see any now.

I'm planning to buy a new notebook once ivybridge notebooks are shipping.

[ZaZ]

Lenovo was selling some DOS ThinkPads. There was a link in the Lenovo forum, but it's been a while. As I recall the DOS ThinkPad tended to cost more than the Windows notebooks.

[MidnightSun]

Originally Posted by ZaZ

Lenovo was selling some DOS ThinkPads. There was a link in the Lenovo forum, but it's been a while. As I recall the DOS ThinkPad tended to cost more than the Windows notebooks.

Yep, Lenovo has sold DOS Thinkpads from time to time, but usually at a price disadvantage because the regular coupons didn't apply to them. Occasionally, there was a good sale on them, though (ie: X120e DOS "price glitch" that Lenovo honored).

System76 also sells Ubuntu-loaded laptops (based on Clevo designs, I think).

[privatejarhead]

Most laptop makers have the option for a non-Windows laptop (though only for a few limited models). Even then, they'll usually be just as expensive as Windows-based machines, if not more as Zaz pointed out.

Your best options seem to be:
1) System76, et. al., or
2) Buy a Win7 system, decline the EULA, and demand for a refund on Windows (roughly $50-$70, depending on model).

[SemiExpert]

Dell Small Business still sells a handful of Vostro notebooks with Ubuntu pre-loaded:

The Vostro 1440 is a very low end plastic notebook for 3rd world markets:

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

The Vostro V131 has a very, very dim screen:

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

I'd also suggest checking out the Ubuntu forums and this list of Certified Ubuntu Systems:

Certified hardware | Ubuntu

Then you have a choice of various third party "whitebooks" sold by various small vendors:

AvaDirect
System76
Zareason
CTL Corp (?)

Keep in mind that brand new hardware is more likely to have issues with Linux than hardware that's two or three generations old. Sometimes the Linux kernel has to have some time to keep up with the hardware cycle. There were Linux issue with Sandy Bridge and issues with Nehalem before that. Is it possible that Intel will have ironed all the wrinkles out of Ivy Bridge Linux support on day one? It's possible. It didn't happen in the last two generations, but it is possible, not certain, and based on past history, no even entirely probable.

If you want a Windows-free Ivy Bridge notebook that won't have driver issues or non-functional components, you'll just have to wait for a next generation Macbook Pro or Air.

[James D]

Originally Posted by privatejarhead

2) Buy a Win7 system, decline the EULA, and demand for a refund on Windows (roughly $50-$70, depending on model).

Is this really possible? Usually laptops come with already installed apps et.

I think your choice is to buy Clevo, Xotic, PowerNotebook etc.

[v1k1ng1001]

Options:

1. Hunt around for Linux/FreeDOS laptops--The problem is that these are becoming increasingly difficult to find. For example, Lenovo had some offerings a few months ago but now everything's win7.

2. Buy a Win7 laptop and then go through all the rigmarole to obtain your discount.--Good luck with that. I hope you have a Harvard-educated lawyer on retainer.

3. Buy from ZaReason, System 76 or some similar outfit.--In general you get decent stuff but your options are limited and prices might not be that great for what you get.

4. Buy a custom notebook--I've done this a few times. It can be great if you're looking for a higher-powered notebook over $1000 with the latest gear built just to your liking. It's not so hot if you're looking to get something under $800. (Sidenote: Powernotebooks.com has treated me very well in the past in spite of their right-wing, pro-God & country marketing scheme which, quite frankly, is a bit over the top).

5. Build your own Whitebook--Can turn out to be the best bang for the buck by far. On the other hand whitebooks have been tougher to come buy lately and they weren't exactly ubiquitous years ago. Nowadays you have scour ebay, google and sometimes buy directly from outfits in Taiwan. I've done it successfully in the recent past but it's a bit risky.

6. Buy a Win7 laptop on sale, pretend you got the MS refund, wipe windows, install Linux and get on with your life--This is probably the best option.

[privatejarhead]

Originally Posted by James D

Is this really possible? Usually laptops come with already installed apps et.

Wikipedia article on it

ZDNet article on it

[pixelot]

Originally Posted by v1k1ng1001

6. Buy a Win7 laptop on sale, pretend you got the MS refund, wipe windows, install Linux and get on with your life--This is probably the best option.

This is what I've always done. It really doesn't hurt to have it as a dual-boot option, or at least keep the disc around. And, as has been pointed out, you'll probably pay as much anyways without Windows pre-loaded.

*sound of $0.02 dropping*

[debguy]

Originally Posted by James D

Is this really possible? Usually laptops come with already installed apps et.

According to my experience it is not possible anymore because the vendors have found a new trick of justifying bundles. They now say that an operating system is an integral part of a working computer (note: NOT a separate product that is bundled with the hardware) and can therefore not be removed from it because it would "destroy" the working product. The bundling prohibition doesn't work here anymore because according to this point of view there is no bundle to start with.

Originally Posted by pixelot

This is what I've always done. It really doesn't hurt to have it as a dual-boot option, or at least keep the disc around. And, as has been pointed out, you'll probably pay as much anyways without Windows pre-loaded.

Please stop spreading that narrow-minded point of view! Using Linux is not a question of the price tag. It is a question of personal preference and technical properties.
So having to buy a computer with a preloaded OS that you won't use does hurt your freedom of choice. Even if a computer with Windows is cheaper than the same computer without it, it still forces you to support a company that you don't want to have any business with. So buying a computer without it is the only reasonable option. Buying a computer with Windows and declining the EULA can be a stopgap until you can actually buy a computer without Windows at best, because pretending that you didn't know the terms of use before buying the product is a lie and everybody knows it. You know it, the vendor knows it and MS knows it.