What's the goss on laptops for linux?

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zANavAShi

119 posts

Master Geek

#783118 17-Mar-2013 21:41

Linuxluver: Get an ASUS (or other) tablet that allows an external keyboard and external USB storage to be connected to it. That way you can have terrabytes of storage and what is effectively a laptop / netbook...and it's 100% linux (android flavour).

If you buy a popular one there will probably be custom firmware available for it, too.

They cost about the same as a laptop. They do far more.

Cheers for your reply, and the opportunity to say thanks for your linux-flavoured contributions to GZ which I have followed in lurk-mode for several years.

I've had my eye on the Transformers since first release but still a tad pricey for me considering my intended use - which is a laptop to use at tech this year. I'm kinda fond of android (currently own three different android devices) but as not satisfied yet with the office suite options - word processing and spreadsheet will be a must-have

Ideally I would love to be able to afford an ultrabook, but once again still a tad pricey for my student budget. In the meantime I like to leave my trusty wee Dell mini close to my hulking big toshie at nights in the hope they will cross-breed and.... oh never mind LOL

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tmadden

97 posts

Master Geek

#783137 17-Mar-2013 22:07

Linuxluver:
zANavAShi:
valtam: You're not limited to choice when it comes to selecting a laptop to run linux on. What I always do is get the spec sheet and or manual for the laptop, and check and re-check that all the hardware is compatible, once that is done and the purchase is made, you can get a refund for windoze 8 if you don't intend to use it (via the EULA).

Wow thanks for the info! I pulled this out of the windoze 8 OEM EULA so we can examine and discuss it together. I'm not good at interpreting the legalese, but at first glance it looks like a lot of hoops to jump through...

15. SUPPORT AND REFUND PROCEDURES
For the software generally, contact the manufacturer or installer for support options. Refer to the support number provided with the software. For updates and supplements obtained directly from Microsoft, Microsoft may provide limited support services as described at support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx. If you are using software that is not properly licensed, you will not be entitled to receive support services.
If you are seeking a refund, contact the manufacturer or installer to determine its return policy for a refund or credit. You must comply with that policy, which might require you to return the software with the entire computer on which the software is installed for a refund.

The way I read this last sentence, you run a good chance of having the entire pruchase refunded....not just the Windows portion. Also interesting is the part where you must comply with their policy. If their policy is all or nothing (you take Windows or you don't get a latop at all), then best find that out BEFORE you give them any money.

It would seem to me this is illegal....but they have given you two parties to sue for your $50. A lawyer won't let you buy him/her coffee for $50.

Justice for the rich...again.

I don't know that it would be illegal, as they could claim to have sold you the computer as a package. It would be a bit like buying a TV and trying to get a refund on the remote because you have a universal one that already works. Most if not all PC sales will have the Windows version in the products details. I think it's a shame that laws around anti-competitive behaviour don't take into account that in all mainstream stores Windows is sold by default (apart from Macs obviously) with no alternative.

tmadden

97 posts

Master Geek

#783139 17-Mar-2013 22:11

zANavAShi:
Linuxluver: Get an ASUS (or other) tablet that allows an external keyboard and external USB storage to be connected to it. That way you can have terrabytes of storage and what is effectively a laptop / netbook...and it's 100% linux (android flavour).

If you buy a popular one there will probably be custom firmware available for it, too.

They cost about the same as a laptop. They do far more.

Cheers for your reply, and the opportunity to say thanks for your linux-flavoured contributions to GZ which I have followed in lurk-mode for several years.

I've had my eye on the Transformers since first release but still a tad pricey for me considering my intended use - which is a laptop to use at tech this year. I'm kinda fond of android (currently own three different android devices) but as not satisfied yet with the office suite options - word processing and spreadsheet will be a must-have

Ideally I would love to be able to afford an ultrabook, but once again still a tad pricey for my student budget. In the meantime I like to leave my trusty wee Dell mini close to my hulking big toshie at nights in the hope they will cross-breed and.... oh never mind LOL

You could just wait for Ubuntu to be an option for the Nexus 7, cheapish hardware with a (slightly cut down) Ubuntu experience. Or the Ubuntu Phone but I do get the impression we'll be waiting a while for that one. It can be docked and linked to a monitor and keyboard/mouse and becomes a full PC. This is kind of moving well away from the laptop idea though.

zANavAShi

119 posts

Master Geek

#783154 17-Mar-2013 22:44

tmadden: ....This is kind of moving well away from the laptop idea though.

Yeh true hehe. I was kinda wondering if any of the thread readers would suggest a netbook option or ask me why I don't just use the netbook I already have, and if asked my response is "because of the keyboard"

I can get by very nicely day-to-day on a netbook - heck I've even done the occasional low--resolution graphics job on netbooks cos I felt like lounging about on the sofa or bed and not upright at a desktop - but for tasks that require a lot of typing the netbook doesn't measure up.

I'm a fairly speedy typist (not a touch typist, but I do have the dexterity to use all fingers/thumbs coherently at speed) but I can type so much faster on a full keyboard which has a functions key row and more widely spaced keys. This is an important issue for me if I am to be typing notes during class and keeping up with what the tutor is saying.

I've never owned a laptop in previous years when I've been a student and I can type nearly twice as fast as I can write with a pen, so I'm really looking forward to being able to take more comprehensive and legible notes - even if I do end up having to resort to using one of my netbooks in the meantime.

So, hrmmmmm back to the subject of getting a refund of the cost of windoze on a pre-installed laptop... I'm still hoping for an answer to the question which has plagued me for some time... Does anybody know exactly what proportion of the cost of a windoze PC/notebook/etc is actually the OS?

On the ascent PC builder page deselecting the OS option equates to around $150 knocked off the overall purchase price...

http://www.ascent.co.nz/pcbuild.aspx

That's not as high a price as I expected, but still a very tasty saving in $$$ which brings an ultrabook a little closer to being affordable if I could pulloff the OS refund successfully.

zANavAShi

119 posts

Master Geek

#783157 17-Mar-2013 22:53

valtam: P.S. as far as compatability goes, Lenovo and Dell in my experience provide the best all around compatability.

Glad you shared that, cos my desires were salivating towards a Lenovo - I like the look of their ultrabooks - if I could get one within my budget without the compulsory windoze.

valtam

396 posts

Ultimate Geek

#783170 17-Mar-2013 23:59

Clause 15 refers you to the manufacturer's return policy. So, check a brands return policy before you decide on a laptop as extra cover. The EULA clealry shows provision to obtain a refund, just be smart about your approach, do your homework, and you will remain on the side of right :) The ink doesn't lie.

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Linuxluver

5828 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#783414 18-Mar-2013 13:08

tmadden: I don't know that it would be illegal, as they could claim to have sold you the computer as a package. It would be a bit like buying a TV and trying to get a refund on the remote because you have a universal one that already works. Most if not all PC sales will have the Windows version in the products details. I think it's a shame that laws around anti-competitive behaviour don't take into account that in all mainstream stores Windows is sold by default (apart from Macs obviously) with no alternative.

Agreed....though it is worth noting you can't actually agree (or decline) the EULA until you login. It would be like a secret clause you'd have to know to ask about...and not a genuine right to decline to agree...and then be told "Stiff cheese, Dumbo."....though more politely.

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