Ask HN: New Laptop, No OS, Where To Buy?

#1

Post by Rhodee » Fri, Sep 02, 2011, 10:18 PM UTC

Is there an online retailer you would buy from if you needed a new laptop as your development machine?

Has to be under $500 and no OS. Will just do a fresh Ubuntu install.

Thanks for the guidance -

Re: Ask HN: New Laptop, No OS, Where To Buy?

#2

Post by ebiester » Fri, Sep 02, 2011, 10:47 PM UTC

Sadly, computers are cheaper with an OS. The vendors pile junk like 90 day virus subscriptions (that must be renewed) and Microsoft Office instant upgrades on to the computer as to lower the price.

I'd pick something off http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/ and be done with it.

Re: Ask HN: New Laptop, No OS, Where To Buy?

#3

Post by palehose » Fri, Sep 02, 2011, 11:54 PM UTC

eBay, used computers can be just as good as new.

Re: Ask HN: New Laptop, No OS, Where To Buy?

#4

Post by fractallyte » Sat, Sep 03, 2011, 10:26 AM UTC

Just buy a laptop as usual. But then return the pre-installed Windows to the manufacturer (not the retailer), for a refund.

Your right to do this is protected by various competition laws prohibiting 'tying' - the bundling of third party products. For generic PC hardware, Windows is third party - it's not exclusively necessary to run the machine, since there are many other third party OSs available.

More details are in my comments in previous threads: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2600047 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1642068

Re: Ask HN: New Laptop, No OS, Where To Buy?

#5

Post by Rhodee » Sat, Sep 03, 2011, 5:44 PM UTC

fractallyte wrote: post #4

Just buy a laptop as usual. But then return the pre-installed Windows to the manufacturer (not the retailer), for a refund. Your right to do this is protected by various competition laws prohibiting 'tying' - the bundling of third party products. For generic PC hardware, Windows is third party - it's not exclusively necessary to run the machine, since there are many other third party OSs available. More details are i…

Thank you so much. I was not even aware of this. I really appreciate it. Opens up my options.

Re: Ask HN: New Laptop, No OS, Where To Buy?

#6

Post by Rhodee » Sat, Sep 03, 2011, 5:44 PM UTC

ebiester wrote: post #2

Sadly, computers are cheaper with an OS. The vendors pile junk like 90 day virus subscriptions (that must be renewed) and Microsoft Office instant upgrades on to the computer as to lower the price. I'd pick something off http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/ and be done with it.

This was very helpful thank you.