[ubuntu-za] Laptop without OS option

[Robin Bownes]

On Tue, 2011-04-19 at 11:51 +0200, Peter Nel wrote:

> Shafi,
> I recently bought a laptop and had the same problem - how to avoid the
> windo$e tax. I was frustrated that I had to support MS even though
> wanting nothing to do with them. I mean, even if I buy the thing and
> wipe win7, they already got what they needed out of me, so what do
> they care - but I'm digressing into a rant here..
> You have 3 options:
> 
> 
> 1) Buy a laptop with linux pre-loaded -- Difficult to get in SA. Very
> few choices. Won't necessarily be Ubuntu, and probably not the best
> specs.
> 2) Buy a laptop with no OS -- even scarcer, I've yet to find one.
> 3) Buy one with windows pre-loaded -- probably the one you're gonna
> have to take, like most of the rest of us. Just make sure to rant and
> rave to them for not having what you want, then begrudgingly force
> yourself to buy it.
> 
> (tip: buy online. it's cheaper and you can search and compare specs.
> e.g. www.sybaritic.co.za - not affiliated)
> 
> If you want less headaches (esp. option 3) make sure that everything
> works before you buy. Find the one with specs you like, then search
> the web to try figure out how compatible it is with linux (ubuntu)
> - look for a certified laptop (ubuntu site) as mentioned earlier on
> this thread.
> If you're brave you might ignore some device or feature problems it
> may have, and use it as an opportunity to contribute. Help the
> developers of a driver, or some other app fix it on that laptop - it's
> actually not that difficult, they usually talk you through it -
> although.. no guarantees!
> Mine for instance has problems with hibernate, HD cam (crash at high
> res), and hdmi out. Haven't had time to try fix - interesting story:
> My model came out in Oct 2010; originally had gfx problems (up to Dec.
> 2010); problem was fixed out of the box (Ubuntu 10.10 64-bit+updates)
> by the time i bought it (Feb 2011)
> 
> If any incompatibility would be a deal-breaker, i'd say it's the
> graphics driver - sadly the floss drivers just aren't good enough yet
> on most gfx hardware (if it is, then you're in luck) -- and the only
> "proper" drivers we have is the ATI/NVIDEA proprietary drivers; so
> make sure they have a proper linux driver for your hardware (mine is
> actually not exactly the same model as they report to support, but
> display is perfect)
> 
> 4) Option 4 -- you can always try what was suggested earlier about
> trying to pressure them with the new Consumer Protection Act (CPA)
> that supposedly should protect our rights in this regard. Lol, it
> would be awsome if that actually worked.
> 
> 
> Regards
> --
> Péter Nel
> [Dell XPS L701x; CPU : Intel Core i7-740QM (1.73GHz); Display : 17.3"
> HD+WLED (1600 x 900); Memory : 6 GB (1x2GB & 1X4Gb) 1333MHz;
> DDR3Graphics : NVIDIA GeForce gt 445M 3GB; Hard drive : 640GB
> (7200RPM); Optical drive : 8X DVD+/-RW; OS :/*Microsoft Windows 7
> Professional (64BIT)*/ (<-strikethrough :D) Ubuntu 10.10 (64-bit);
> Wireless Connectivity : 802.11 (n) & BLUETOOTH; 9-cell 90WHr Li-Ion
> Battery; HD Webcam; 2xeSATA; USBv3.0; 1xSPDIF+ 1xStereo audio ] -
> Lekke!


If you do buy a laptop with Windows pre-loaded, which is unfortunately
the option most likely to be available in SA, then do the following. 

Make a complete image of the hard drive before doing anything at all.
Then you can get rid of Windows and load your OS of choice. If you
experience too many problems with getting anything to work, then merely
restore the image, replace the laptop in its original packaging, and
return it to the store from which you bought it. Just make sure to do
this within 5 working days, or they may give you uphill about giving a
refund, or swapping it out for something else. Your stated reason for
returning it need only be that it doesn't properly suit your purposes.
(it is probably not possible to do this repeatedly at a single store)

Robin
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