Find me a netbook running Linux please.

Reza86 · 2 Jun 2011 at 14:29

Hi All,

My boss has it in his head that he wants to start buying netbooks running Linux, preferably Ubunto but I guess anything will do as long as it feeds his anti MS lust. Anyone got any ideas where I can find these machines any more, as far as I can tell everything runs Win XP or Windows 7.

We could put Linux on ourselves but that is a pain and tbh I really can't be bothered.

Thanks in advance.

Reza

paradigm · 2 Jun 2011 at 14:41

If I remember correctly, you can buy most branded machines and reject the MS license (of which the vendor has to refund you for).

Hence you should be able to get any brand of netbook, so long as you have arranged with the manufacturer that you wish to reject the EULA of the windows license.

Oh, and it's Ubuntu.

As for finding them pre-shipped with linux, that's not really going to happen anymore. Installing linux is a 30 minute job, although I'd question whether Linux is actually a viable business tool or not (has he accounted for the lack of software support, the lack of software compatibility, the re-training of users to use open-source alternatives, etc etc). Sounds to me like your boss is just a retard.

Reza86 · 2 Jun 2011 at 15:08

We are both of the same opinion then. He just hates anything to do with MS, regardless to if its better for the job or not. Thanks for the info though.

sarge78 · 2 Jun 2011 at 18:04

Sounds like he wants a MacBook Air

phill1978 · 3 Jun 2011 at 18:51

i see where paradigm is coming from, but i always have to admire going against the grain. as far as i can tell Libre office suite can do anything anyone would want in a normal office environment also no need for antivirus software licences and virus roll out servers (id still advise a firewall even with linux) + support contract. furthermore there are many stable internet browsers from chromium, firefox to opera etc..
for mail there is thunderbird i believe

you could actually save a packet, but don't scrimp totally on support there are companies that can provide linux support.

also make sure any laptops you get can run decently on wireless, driver issues can be a proper headache ! even if they run they can run slow or cut off. im sure there is software for creating images too.

do your homework.

when all said and done win 7 is a very good O/S and nothing like the steaming pile vista was, its fast, pretty stable and extremely powerful.

phill1978 · 4 Jun 2011 at 15:02

forgot to add OpenSUSE is a pretty good O/S for win integration

Reza86 · 13 Jun 2011 at 19:16

Thanks for the replies, yeah they are looking good, because we have engineers out all over the world for months and getting things like virus updates etc is a real ache.

Am looking at a HP Mini which comes with Suse Enterprise, it will fit in well because all our other stuff is HP so head office can't wine like little girls.