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Give the Gift of Pre-Installed Linux This Year

Posted by dcparris on · 46 comments
LXer; By D.C. Parris 		Mail this story
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LXer Feature: 13-Nov-2006

With Christmas around the corner, you'll be glad to know that you can check out over 100 vendors around the globe who offer desktop and notebook computers with GNU/Linux pre-installed. Put another way, LXer's Pre-Installed Linux Vendor database is now available!

A few months back, LXer reader, cyber_rigger, began compiling a list of vendors who offer GNU/Linux pre-installed. The list quickly grew, even drawing attention from other news outlets. Meanwhile, the LXer team went to work to produce a usable database that anyone can browse and search. We still have one or two features to implement, but users can quickly and easily browse the Pre-Installed Linux Vendor Database of 106 vendors. All vendors in the list offer reasonably-priced desktops and/or notebooks for home and office users, and either offer Linux only, or as an installation option on the system configuration page of their sites.

GNU/Linux For Non-Techies

Typically, when people plan to buy a PC, they shop the major retailers and the web, looking for the best deals they can find. What they normally see is Windows pre-installed. Many people don't realize they have a choice, or the advantages of any given option. What's more, once the person buys a PC, they subsequently discover that they have to pay even more money - often well beyond their budget - to get additional programs. Then there are the security risks inherent with the Windows family of operating systems. Even with a fully-patched system with anti-virus, you still have to acquire anti-spam, anti-spyware and related software to stay relatively safe in an Internet-connected world. For many non-technical users, Windows just isn't worth the hassle.



Until now, it has been difficult to find computer retailers that offer GNU/Linux pre-installed. Now, however, you can browse LXer's database to find vendors, whether you need one in Turkey, other parts of Europe, Australia, or the United States. You can find laptops, desktops, or even workstations for your business. At least one vendor even offers Myth TV systems. Some vendors, admittedly, are more focused on small to medium sized businesses, but many are open to consumers as well. You will also find a range of GNU/Linux OS distributions, so you can pick the right one for your family member. For computing enthusiasts, there are even vendors who simply offer no operating system at all. Unlike Dell, which charges more for an OS-less PC, most of these vendors offer their 'no OS' PCs at a lower cost.



About The Database

If you know where to look, you can find a computer with GNU/Linux pre-installed from Dell. The trick is, you have to know where to look. Most of the vendors in LXer's database either offer GNU/Linux exclusively, or allow you to choose your operating system from the configuration options. There is little need to hassle with where to find the Linux computers. In some cases, you may find special instructions to help you along. The database is very easy to browse, and is aimed at helping non-technical users find just the right PC. Additionally, you'll discover that many vendors are willing to provide further customization, even if they don't advertise that fact. Whether or not that costs extra depends on the vendor.



It might interest you to know that cyber_rigger even did a little research to find out which are the most offered GNU/Linux OSes. Desktops and notebooks have slightly different reigning distros. In the desktop category, Ubuntu (18%), SUSE (14%), Fedora (13%), Linspire (13.5%), and Red Hat (8%) led the list. For notebooks, it was Ubuntu (22%), SUSE (16.9%), Fedora (16.9%), Debian (8.5%) and Red Hat (8.5%). As this only accounts for what is offered, we can't be sure yet which are the most requested distributions. Still, it gives a rough idea of what the shops are willing to offer. Also, our database tells you if the vendor advertises GNU/Linux on the front page. You might consider letting those vendors know how appreciative you are.



We had planned to allow users to filter by model (desktop or notebook). as well as on 'no OS' computers (for enthusiasts). Unfortunately, we ran into a snag, and will add that functionality in later. For now, though, you can browse the database, based on the distributions offered, and the vendor's country. If you don't see a GNU/Linux distribution listed in the appropriate column, the vendor is probably a 'no OS' vendor, although one or two vendors did not say which GNU/Linux distribution they were offering. Currently, the only way to add vendors is by submitting the appropriate information to the editorial team.



You have been planning to give someone a Linux box for Christmas. Or maybe you want to help someone buy one for their family. You didn't want to recommend Dell or Circuit City, and you just didn't know where else to look. Just click the 'Products' link in the top menu on our site. Be sure to do your homework though. Just because a vendor is in our database doesn't mean they provide great service, or even that we approve of them. It just means you have one more choice that you didn't have before. Also, if you find our information inaccurate, please do let us know.



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Comments (46)

Hooray!

techiem2 ·
Looks good so far. Thanks for the hard work.
dcparris Story submitter ·
Thanks! And you're more than welcome. Kudos to cyber_rigger for getting this snowball rolling. I'm not sure it's quite as he would like, but we'll get there soon enough. Whew!
Sander_Marechal ·
Great work! I've added it to my blog's front page. All I can hope for is that this database doesn't get stale as so many Linux lists do. Has any thought been given on how we can keep the list up-to-date with minimal effort?

Great resource

hackmeister ·
Great job guys! I will recommend this to anyone who's looking to purchase a new system. It's about time we support the vendors who are selling pre-installed Linux systems.
dcparris Story submitter ·
Thanks for the encouragement! I wholeheartedly agree with you about supporting the vendors who support us. We just need to get the word out so people will know where to look.
Libervis ·
I second that this is a great resource, and will obviously keep improving. I am thinking about starting my own GNU/Linux PC business here in Croatia actually, starting very small and then see how it goes, as there is no exclusive GNU/Linux PC vendor here yet, so who knows, maybe one day I end up in this db. ;)

Cheers

Danijel
dek ·
I like it generally. Nice job! However, I hope you are not done adding features because I have 1 or 2 requests. I'd like to be able to see where (as in what state/province or city), a business is located on the listing page. I'd also like to be able to search on that. Right now, it's a crap shoot picking out something that is local.

I know! I know! Picky picky!

You guys are to be commended for getting it up in it's present form.

Thanks!

Don K.
dcparris Story submitter ·
Well, you know we have some more work to do yet. We'll see if we can do something with your suggestions. Give us time, but we'll get there.
tuxchick ·
Huzzah! Applause! Well done! Are we going to see a permanent link on the front page?
Libervis ·
There's already a "products" link in the main menu. :)
Sander_Marechal ·
This could use a much bigger and move visible link on the front page. I'd definately consider creating a 125x125px graphic ad that least to the database and put it in the right hand menu on the front page.
tuxchick ·
"Products" doesn't really say to me "Kewl Linux-friendly vendors here!! Click me- you know you want to!!" I like Sander's idea.
auser ·
Which of these vendors avoids passing on the Microsoft Tax as a soft-cost?

For example, I know for a fact that EmperorLinux hasn't been able to figure this out. While this is a certainly a great start, not documenting this aspect of each offering allows the possibility of unintended dollars ending up in Microsoft's account.
dcparris Story submitter ·
Actually, most of them do. Many of them show a "-" sign next to the cost when you choose Linux or no OS over Windows. Dell's no OS boxes are simply more expensive, despite there being 'less' to purchase. I still think someone has their math screwed up.
auser ·
dcparris,

Yes but what about the ones that don't? I believe consumers would stand to benefit from knowing this information up front. Do you agree that this aspect is worth capturing in the database?
tuxchick ·
auser, that information would be valuable and useful, and I'm sure that if you volunteer to collect some of it it will be used.
auser ·
yes, gathering the information wouldn't be too difficult. I'm just looking for confirmation that the database/front end will be modified accordingly.
dcparris Story submitter ·
Well, I really think that, if we do that, we should charge users a fee for doing their shopping for them. ;-) The point is to make it easy to find vendors who might offer end-users a nice, friendly Linux installation, not compare every single factor. We might consider this at some point, but not right now. And to be honest, I never did see any of our entries that charge more for Linux or no OS than for Windows. You might see something different where you're getting the Red Hat Workstation license, but otherwise Windows was more expensive in every case, as I recall.

I only said most, because there could be one or two that charge more. I might have missed something. I think the MS tax only applies to Dell, HP, and the gang. Honestly. If you're being charged more for less by a white box biz, I'd go elsewhere. That said, I'd be willing to pay the same for Linux pre-installed as I would have to for Windows. Software-wise, I'd still be coming out on top. :-)
dcparris Story submitter ·
Tell ya what. If you see a a vendor that charges less for Windows than for no OS, let me know.
auser ·
dcparris,

You are missing the point. 9 out of 10 people aren't even aware of the MS Tax, never mind vendors who pass it off as a soft cost. There is nothing complex regarding the storage of this information compared to others bits of data (e.g. company name, location) that is currently being captured. All I am suggesting is that this important attribute be added so those of us who are aware of its importance can have a place to store the information.
dcparris Story submitter ·
Thanks auser. I'll discuss it with Dave and see if we can include that attribute as well.
auser ·
Good to hear. Many thanks in advance.

Filters & Other Features Now Added

4 earlier comments in the full thread.

dcparris Story submitter ·
We will keep the present implementation of the MS tax item, but will make comments in the comments box about a given vendor.
dek ·
I really appreciated the addition of the city names!

Good work, Bob, Don and cyberrigger!!

Don K.
tuxchick ·
hey, that puts you way ahead of the online yellow pages. It's sooo much fun to look for a local business in an online Yellow Page directory, and they throw in everyone in the whole world, and you never do find the local businesses. Sheer genius!
dcparris Story submitter ·
And thanks to all who made suggestions! I'm thrilled with Bob's skill/speed in implementing the features so quickly. This is absolutely awesome. I haven't heard much from cyber_rigger lately - hopefully, he is as excited as I am.
Sander_Marechal ·
Who has auhorization to add items? When I click the "add vender" link it says I'm not authorised. Is that an editor/admin only thing?
dcparris Story submitter ·
Yeah, at least for now. Hopefully, I can convince Bob to let people add their own entries. I should have stated that on the DB's home page. Sorry about that.
rijelkentaurus ·
Thank you for this service!!
dcparris Story submitter ·
You're more than welcome! I hope it gets lots of use.
hkwint ·
Time for a press release maybe? Or still beta ? :)
dcparris Story submitter ·
You actually have a point. An article on the site, even with getting on the front page of Digg, etc. isn't quite enough. I'll get to work on this.
hkwint ·
Great, I think there will be much interest. I saw people I didn't know pointing to our (rather chaotic) thread already!
dcparris Story submitter ·
Yeah, we got lots of attention - even LWN posted a brief paragraph about it. :-)

A quick Google search on 'pre-installed linux' turns up the DB in the 3rd result: [url=http://www.google.com/search?q=pre-installed linux&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial]http://www.google.com/search?q=pre-installed linux&start=0&i...[/url]

techiem2 ·
Only 3rd? Obviously that needs to be fixed! :)
dek ·
A thought on letting people add their own entries. DON'T!!

O/W you'll spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning up entries for software sites and cellphones. IOW, database spam.

However, if data entry becomes overwhelming you might appoint a couple of database editors. Be a nice problem to have!

Don K.
Sander_Marechal ·
Do let people add entries, but don't show them untill they have been verified manually by a couple of appointed database editors.
Sander_Marechal ·
I've added the vendor DB image and link to my front page (and every other page): http://www.jejik.com
dcparris Story submitter ·
Sander, I think I agree with your point. It would be a bit like editing the newswire, and not much of a problem. It would also give us the opportunity to inquire with the vendors, should we need clarification on a question.

Ooohhh, thanks for the link! :-)
techiem2 ·
oooh. Linkage...

/me goes to figure out where to put linkage on his page
Sander_Marechal ·
An update to the Com4 entry in The Netherlands: They're also in my home town 's-Hertogenbosch
tuxchick ·
This is looking really good. Nice work everyone!

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