On 01/24/2011 06:30 PM, Shamit Verma wrote:
On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 7:15 PM, Abhijit Navaleabhijit.foss@gmail.comwrote:
When I looked to buy a branded laptop, I felt much bad that I can customize a laptop *BUT* I MUST select a M$ operating system. And this really is like forcing us to pay money even if we do not want to buy it. Is there any talks before this post or is there a way to buy a branded laptop (like HP, DELL or a sony vaio).
If there is no way, why are we not even trying to make a way?
Its tough to get such a laptop from a US based company.
*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.
cheers, - steve