On Mon, Jan 24, 2011 at 7:49 PM, steve steve@lonetwin.net wrote:
*sigh*
Since this mail was forwarded from an ILUGC thread without a link to the original, I'm adding it here:
http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/pipermail/ilugc/2011-January/thread.html#63638
Also, pasting part of my replies in that thread:
It amazing the regularity with which this question keeps coming up on
this list
and despite the fact that there are already a number of laptops available
that
come with linux preinstalled, this myth that there isn't is perpetuated
from
people within this community.
... ...
I was annoyed enough to do a quick search(*) and bury this myth of not
being
able to find a linux laptop locally. Here you go:
http://delllaptopprice.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&...
So, can we please stop telling people it is impossible ?
and finally Rahul Sundaram's view ...
These days, the options are getting much better and will continue to progress forward if more people just ask their vendors first and if they refuse, let them know that you choose another vendor because of this and this will add up momentum. Businesses care about the bottom line and take sales loss into account and will change their strategy accordingly.
Please check the other responses in the thread as well.
All models listed on these pages are old C2D Dell models. None of current models are available at reasonable prices.
For example, Laptop that I am using right now has i5 CPU, 6 GB RAM, 3 year warranty (Dell Studio 1558). Its cost was $900.
Its simply not possible to purchase Laptops without OS (or with Linux) at these price points.
Prices of Windows laptops :
http://www.deals2buy.com/deals/yesnq94amdj2ah9fslmkna5tq8l8ugs7jf36kaznu28wm...
($700 for i3, 1 GB Video card, Studio 1558)
Have you ever seen laptops without Windows selling for more than such discounts on MRP?
-Shamit