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Linux Store Open for Business: A Fantastic Voyage
I saw a netbook at a discount chain store the other day that I want. It's an Acer Aspire One. It has 1GB RAM and a 160GB Hard Drive for $296. Awesome deal. The problem, at least for me, is that it comes standard with some whittled down version of Windows XP. This wouldn't ordinarily be a problem but I prefer Linux on my potential new netbook. |
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Comments (21)
1 earlier comment in the full thread.
If it's really that cheap with Windows on it, it's obvious that Microsoft are subsidising the price, loss leading. Just buy it replace windows with your favourite netbook Linux, remove the Windows stickers, including the Windows License key, and return them to the shop you bought it from, or if you know the address the manufacturer.
And be prepared to argue that you never clicked the "I Agree [to the Windows EULA]" button. The fools didn't put it at the very beginning of the first launch wizard.
Of course, even if they did put it at the beginning, you could still hold down the power button to force a power-cycle, insert your favorite Linux distro CD/DVD, and you still never clicked the Windows "I Agree" button.
Of course, even if they did put it at the beginning, you could still hold down the power button to force a power-cycle, insert your favorite Linux distro CD/DVD, and you still never clicked the Windows "I Agree" button.
Don't expect to get any money back, but do try. If enough people who buy these machines return the Microsoft stickers, a point can be made.
What would be really useful is to get all the Linux people you can, and anyone they are converting to Linux to buy from one store, and then return all the Microsoft stickers to that store. That might influence someone to stock Linux machine..... who knows
What would be really useful is to get all the Linux people you can, and anyone they are converting to Linux to buy from one store, and then return all the Microsoft stickers to that store. That might influence someone to stock Linux machine..... who knows
As I've written here before, the low prices on Windows machines are also due to the retailer. Selling a Windows computer is like selling someone a slot machine. They're willing to lose money on the initial hardware sale. Who do you think gets most of the sales of 'security' software? How about Microsoft Office? Video editing software? Photoshop? And if you're Best Buy, you sell Geek Squad services. They even tried to sell me a service plan for cleaning the registry and all that. When Vista first came out, they sold a lot of memory and video card upgrades, plus installation fees.
I don't have recent numbers, but a couple of years ago one retailer knew that the average low-end computer (read: Windows) sale would bring in additional sales well into the hundreds of dollars.
How much you get when selling anything with Linux: Zero. So yes, we should expect it to be difficult to find Linux on the store shelves.
I don't have recent numbers, but a couple of years ago one retailer knew that the average low-end computer (read: Windows) sale would bring in additional sales well into the hundreds of dollars.
How much you get when selling anything with Linux: Zero. So yes, we should expect it to be difficult to find Linux on the store shelves.
Please buy a computer, any computer with Linux pre-installed.
That will lower the price of Linux computers and force that other company to lower prices to compete.
That will lower the price of Linux computers and force that other company to lower prices to compete.
Mad Tux was such a store. It went out of business.
Acer, the company, only offers Linux on their low end model. Ideally go with a manufacturer that has a similar machine that offers Linux across more of the product line, like Asus or Dell.
I looked at netbooks. The Acer Aspire One was nice but didn't come with the specs I wanted with Linux at any price. I went with a Sylvania g Netbook Meso and haven't looked back. My review: http://broadcast.oreilly.com/2009/03/a-linux-netbook-done-th... It's not perfect but it is very, very good.
Acer, the company, only offers Linux on their low end model. Ideally go with a manufacturer that has a similar machine that offers Linux across more of the product line, like Asus or Dell.
I looked at netbooks. The Acer Aspire One was nice but didn't come with the specs I wanted with Linux at any price. I went with a Sylvania g Netbook Meso and haven't looked back. My review: http://broadcast.oreilly.com/2009/03/a-linux-netbook-done-th... It's not perfect but it is very, very good.
Plus, it looks like you can actually get a Sylvania G Meso within a few days of ordering, rather than waiting almost 2 weeks for Dell/HP to get around to building and shipping one for you.
Still wish I could find a Linux netbook in a retail outlet, though.
Still wish I could find a Linux netbook in a retail outlet, though.
Scratch that comment about being able to actually get a Sylvania G Meso with Linux...
It seems to be almost impossible to find anyone even online who actually stocks the Linux version: http://www.bigroom.org/wordpress/?p=393
As I said, buy the loss leaders, convert them to Linux and return the Microsoft Windows stickers, make a point of it. As gus pointed out they sell loss leaders because they know they will gain extra income on all the extra software that is needed to make Windows actually work. Make sure they understand they are not going to make on the sale. Don't worry if they don't have the amount of RAM you would want, so long as the other specs are acceptable, it's fairly inexpensive to add RAM, just don't buy it from the same store, get it from a place that sells it at a lower price, or register a business name and get it wholesale, unless you have no other choice.
If you are in a position where you are advising someone, or you have a Linux convert who wants a new computer do the same, work with them, shop around for the loss leaders, that have the specs you want, buy it for the newbie replace windows with Linux, either do it for free or for a small service fee. Just a note people appreciate it more if you charge a small fee, it signals that they are getting value for your services. I usually charge $50 to convert a Windows computer to Linux, "because it's so easy to do", and it fixes the problem forever, and time at $50 an hour to fix a Windows computer because it's a lot of work keeping windows stable and getting it back to working properly.
Something the LUGS could do is register company/Business/Co Op and source hardware at wholesale rates for their members/other Linux users.
If you are in a position where you are advising someone, or you have a Linux convert who wants a new computer do the same, work with them, shop around for the loss leaders, that have the specs you want, buy it for the newbie replace windows with Linux, either do it for free or for a small service fee. Just a note people appreciate it more if you charge a small fee, it signals that they are getting value for your services. I usually charge $50 to convert a Windows computer to Linux, "because it's so easy to do", and it fixes the problem forever, and time at $50 an hour to fix a Windows computer because it's a lot of work keeping windows stable and getting it back to working properly.
Something the LUGS could do is register company/Business/Co Op and source hardware at wholesale rates for their members/other Linux users.
@ta: Unfortunately when you buy the loss leader it still gets counted as a Windows sale.
@DrDubious: Amazon.com has them in stock for $269 new.
@DrDubious: Amazon.com has them in stock for $269 new.
Unfortunately, I can't really consider "Usually ships in 1 to 2 months" (as the Amazon.com listings for the Ubuntu Sylvania G Meso netbooks say) to be "in stock"..
@caitlyn
This is true, which is why you make the point to the retailer, to the wholesaler, to the maufacturer, that it was the last time that machine ever runs Windows, and that the flow on effect of all the software necessary to make windows work properly (more or less) will, what never be realised.
In some parts of the world, it's simply impossible to purchase Linux powered hardware, when are people expected to do? Even the biggest Linux retailer in Australia, VG Computing, is selling computers for which a Windows license has paid for. If you tke a look at their site every laptop and most of the desktop machines mention that Windows comes pre installed, that you can replace it with any Linux, or even get the machine with Windows removed. But in every case that is a Windows sale, because you don't get a refund on the Windows OS.
I can get some laptops with no OS, but for any popular or mid ranged hardware, not a chance. The best I can do if I want sell say the 10 inch netbooks, is buy one with Windows on it, replace windows with Linux, cut my profit to the bone to stay competitive, and send the Windows license key and stickers back to the wholesaler, trying to get a refund on the Windows license is so difficult I simply don't have the time to pursue it.
So what would you have people do? If I don't make new computers available, if VG computing don't, they/I don't make a sale. I can and do do second hand machines, but there are still plenty of people wanting new machines.
This i why I recommend making the statement. Microsoft makes it's real profits on Office, they are loss leading Windows on low and midrange machines.
Quoting:....gets counted as a Windows sale.
This is true, which is why you make the point to the retailer, to the wholesaler, to the maufacturer, that it was the last time that machine ever runs Windows, and that the flow on effect of all the software necessary to make windows work properly (more or less) will, what never be realised.
In some parts of the world, it's simply impossible to purchase Linux powered hardware, when are people expected to do? Even the biggest Linux retailer in Australia, VG Computing, is selling computers for which a Windows license has paid for. If you tke a look at their site every laptop and most of the desktop machines mention that Windows comes pre installed, that you can replace it with any Linux, or even get the machine with Windows removed. But in every case that is a Windows sale, because you don't get a refund on the Windows OS.
I can get some laptops with no OS, but for any popular or mid ranged hardware, not a chance. The best I can do if I want sell say the 10 inch netbooks, is buy one with Windows on it, replace windows with Linux, cut my profit to the bone to stay competitive, and send the Windows license key and stickers back to the wholesaler, trying to get a refund on the Windows license is so difficult I simply don't have the time to pursue it.
So what would you have people do? If I don't make new computers available, if VG computing don't, they/I don't make a sale. I can and do do second hand machines, but there are still plenty of people wanting new machines.
This i why I recommend making the statement. Microsoft makes it's real profits on Office, they are loss leading Windows on low and midrange machines.
Quoting:Microsoft makes it's real profits on Office, they are loss leading Windows on low and midrange machines.
Are they really making a loss or just making less money? Surely any money they make (especially on XP) is just pure profit now? Or am I missing something?
I have seen a couple of stories in the UK where hardware vendors have returned the Microsoft tax, but when I tried it with HP they just weren't interested in even entertaining the idea. Needless to say I will never buy HP again! Fortunately, now at least, in the UK we have a reasonable choice of Linux based and non-OS machines.
@DrDubious: They were available two days ago. It seems they've sold out current stock. Oh well...
Yesterday Ms. Panik ordered a new Dell 12.2 or 12.1 or whatever
laptop w/LINUX. With some discounts total price $400.
Linux. Its worth waiting for!
Linux. Its worth waiting for!
caitlyn,
Nice review.
All, My last three computers came with Linux installed, my next will come as parts and get Linux installed. (I haven't built myself a machine for a few years and have an itch to scratch.)
All, My last three computers came with Linux installed, my next will come as parts and get Linux installed. (I haven't built myself a machine for a few years and have an itch to scratch.)
@number6x: Thanks. I had pretty well trashed the original model so I'm glad I could write a favorable review of this one. I'm still really happy with mine. The hardware is well supported, too. I can drop pretty much any normal distro on this thing and expect it to run properly. I just have to (usually) download and compile the webcam driver for the given kernel.
@caitlyn, the question wasn't rhetorical.
@caitlyn Ah, okay. It's probably all your fault for letting people know how good they were before I could get one myself. It's a conspiracy! (it's strangely both very nice and somewhat annoying to find that suddenly I'm having to compete with a lot of other people to get a Linux machine...)
@tracyanne: I don't have a good answer for you. I'm not in Australia. In North America I can buy a Linux box so that's what I recommend in North America. I
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