Dell may join HP in Linux laptop drive (News.com) [LWN.net]

CNet covers the overwhelming demand for Linux laptops in Thailand. "HP is producing the low-cost "people's notebook," which is loaded with Linux TLE, the Thai-language version of the Linux operating system, to support a Thai government drive to increase computer ownership, reported the Post earlier this month."

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Dell may join HP in Linux laptop drive (News.com)

Posted May 23, 2003 19:04 UTC (Fri) by danny (guest, #1540) [Link] (4 responses)

I want Linux notebook in Brasil!
Anyone can hear me? There is more people, not only me, that wants a mobile and powerfull Linux. Not palm, notebook.
IF ANYONE CAN'T SELL WITH LINUX, SELL IT WHITOUT WINDOWS!

Dell may join HP in Linux laptop drive (News.com)

Posted May 24, 2003 4:21 UTC (Sat) by ibukanov (subscriber, #3942) [Link] (3 responses)

The notebook does not have floppy or cd-rom, so it would rather difficult to install any OS on it if there is nothing pre-installed. You may need to put hard drive to another notebook. And even with Linux installed making dual boot installation is rather untrivial. And then it would be a pain to install anything from CD like pirated version of MS Office.

I think most people who buy the notebook will use Linux there.

Dell may join HP in Linux laptop drive (News.com)

Posted May 24, 2003 23:02 UTC (Sat) by treed (guest, #11432) [Link] (2 responses)

I would prefer laptops without floppy or cdrom. I can attach an external USB floppy or CD ROM if I so desire. The CD/floppy is rarely used compared to the actual machine itself so there is no point in carrying that stuff around.

Dell may join HP in Linux laptop drive (News.com)

Posted May 25, 2003 22:47 UTC (Sun) by rsidd (subscriber, #2582) [Link] (1 responses)

External USB floppy or CD drives can't be used to boot from. You already need a working OS to use them. So a laptop without an OS and without these drives built-in is pretty useless.

Dell may join HP in Linux laptop drive (News.com)

Posted May 25, 2003 23:05 UTC (Sun) by proski (guest, #104) [Link]

I think your information is out of date. Search for "boot from USB" and "boot from firewire" on Google and you'll see that things look different now. Just look at this changelog on the AOpen site - it clearly says: "Supports boot from USB storage device (FDD, ZIP, etc)" in the version from January 2002.

Has anyone looked at LAC?

Posted May 24, 2003 14:04 UTC (Sat) by havoc (guest, #2261) [Link]

Los Alamos Computers sells Linux laptops (as well as a good selection of desktop, workstation and rackmount servers). Not only are their boxes fully functional, full-powered, they are very reasonably priced. Another thing that is surprising is the fact that they personally and knowledgeably reply to e-mail inquiries. I'm going to these guys first when I purchase a notebook in the next few months. http://www.laclinux.com/front.py

Dell may join HP in Linux laptop drive (News.com)

Posted May 25, 2003 21:43 UTC (Sun) by mcelrath (guest, #8094) [Link]

I maintain a list of linux laptop vendors that you may want to check out if you're interested in this.

Thanks for the Los Alamos Computers link, that one was new to me!

I bought a Windows XP laptop today for Linux use

Posted May 25, 2003 23:36 UTC (Sun) by frazier (guest, #3060) [Link]

I sure wish an OEM would offer a low-end OS-free or Linux loaded laptop that's in chain stores. I wanted a laptop today for cheap and ended up with a good deal on a Compaq. I'll use the XP Home OS on here for about another day (I'm using this system to download ISO images right now) and then it'll get plowed over by Linux. Since I don't need to even be using XP right now (I have other systems with burners but I want to play with my new toy) it would have been nice to save an extra $100 or so and not have this unnecessary product. Unfortunately, I haven't seen a Linux laptop that compared to the deal I got on this, not even close.

Now I understand what people are complaining about in regards to the Windows Refund days. It's easy to buy a decent cheap desktop PC but the rules change when buying in the Laptop arena, or so it appeared to me.

I'd like to have purchased a Linux Laptop, but I didn't have a choice locally, plus this one was $699 after real rebates (no MSN bundles, etc.) and it has a DVD/CD burner drive plus an extra battery.