laptop

[Karl Goetz]

On Tue, 19 May 2009 22:49:42 +1000
Peter Garrett <peter.garrett at optusnet.com.au> wrote:

> Hi Karl, forwarded as you suggest.

Thanks.

Replying to you and the list, if people want further input from me,
please CC me on replies (I wont be digging through the list archive).

> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 12:02:01 +1000
> From: Peter Garrett <peter.garrett at optusnet.com.au>
> To: ubuntu-au at lists.ubuntu.com
> Subject: Re: laptop
> 
> 
> On Sun, 17 May 2009 15:19:42 +0200
> Sean Van Buggenum <svaens at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > Anyone got any suggestions? I need a high powered laptop for
> > development on the run (which is nice and Linux compatible of
> > course). And i don't want to have to buy a windows license bundled
> > in with my hardware.
> 
> I have no idea if these laptops are good - I haven't seen one other
> than on the web - but you might look at:
> 
> http://www.pioneercomputers.com.au/products/

I'd like to suggest against Pioneer, because...

> 
> Several laptops, and you can get Ubuntu pre-installed, or no OS - just
> choose the "Build your own" option and select.

... I have had a rather bad time with them.
Heres some of my gripes (some may be a little petty, but at the time
they were starting to build up).

* Took 13 - 15 working days (from payment -> system arriving), not the
few days promised on the site.
* System can not have a 64 bit os (unless its Vista) installed on it.
 - tried over 3 versions of opensolaris (including 2008.05, 
2008.11 snapshot and 2008.11 final.)
 - tried Debian Lenny (testing at the time), 64bit
 - tried Ubuntu 8.04 (.01 or 0.2, 64bit version.).
 None of these 3 systems worked with 64 bit installs.
 Most releases I tried (of the same systems) didnt work with 32bit
systems either.
* Bios has text such as:
 - "FOR EVALUATION USE ONLY. NOT FOR RESALE"
 - "... Reference BIOS"
(But according to the manufacturer, its the latest release... o_0)
* Tech support guy was almost imposable to hear, and not at all helpful.
* Proforma invoice didnt match what I ordered via the website (I didn't
pull them up on it, at the time, needed a machine to work on. And if
it had worked, I'd have not cared).
* The website didnt specify which OS's in which configurations are
supported on the hardware, and even offers Ubuntu pre-loaded. ***
despite only the 32 bit version working ***

kk

> 
> Peter
> 


-- 
Karl Goetz, (Kamping_Kaiser / VK5FOSS)
Debian user / gNewSense contributor
http://www.kgoetz.id.au
No, I won't join your social networking group
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