Comments on: Lenovo Launching Linux Netbooks

By: Eruaran

Eruaran — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:30:45 +0000

Clarification: The example I was using was the Acer Aspire One. Here in Victoria, Australia the Higher specced system with a better warranty is cheaper than the lesser specced system with a free operating system.

So, instead of just those buying notebooks in general being forced to pay the Microsoft tax. All Victorian tax payers are paying the Microsoft tax so the education department can give the Windows XP models to staff, students or whoever is eligible, on the cheap.

By: dbmuse

dbmuse — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:27:37 +0000

All these computer manufacturers are doing it wrong. One needs to make a linux laptop that flat out rocks. Top of the line graphics, graphics, drives, ram, etc. really there needs to be a better than MAC total Linux laptop. That will be the totter finally tipping to the right side.

By: Eruaran

Eruaran — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:25:06 +0000

If experience is anything to go by, “Netbook education models” means a netbook with Windows XP subsidized with taxpayers money, while there will be no subsidy for the GNU/Linux model.

This government subsidizing of a single monopoly vendor is exactly what has happened here in Australia. The result ? The lesser specced GNU/Linux netbook (512mb RAM, 8GB SSD) is more expensive than the higher specced Windows XP version (1gb RAM, 120GB HDD) through education channels.

With all I’ve seen in this industry I have become cynical enough not to expect any better from Lenovo.

By: vole2

vole2 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:46:12 +0000

Does Canonical license the codecs from M$? Already know if it ships with Suse or Xandros you’re going to pay the M$ tax. That’s why the codec question.

By: FlyingDutchman

FlyingDutchman — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:04:35 +0000

Lenovo was one of the few places where a Linux laptop was actually cheaper than a Windows one. Avoiding paying the M$ tax was a deciding factor when I bought my thinkpad. Looks like it might be the last one for me as well..

By: James

James — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:21:54 +0000

Bummer, looks like my Suse loaded T61 will be the last Thinkpad I’ll ever buy.

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:58:41 +0000

@Seinfeld: The VAR Guy is ranked within the top 1 percent of all blogs on the web. He thinks he’ll stick with the third person writing style.

By: AJ

AJ — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:08:45 +0000

“We are still certifying Linux pre-loads on ThinkPads and ThinkCentres, but most of those customers typically order either through their Lenovo Sales team or Lenovo Business Partner.”

Lenovo Sales team or Lenovo Business Partner. It doesn’t sound like any Joe or Jodi Blow can contact one of these does it? Effectively locking the people on the street out.

I think that the big question is actually this. They don’t want to sell preloads to the masses, OK. But will they sell them free from the Windows tax?? I think that will be a great indicator of whether the change was due to an internal decision or external pressure.

By: Seinfeld

Seinfeld — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:37:12 +0000

Now Seinfeld has gone over to the dark side will you be dumping this bizarre third person style of writing?

By: Dom

Dom — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:34:04 +0000

They should have used VIA processors.

By: Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:04:20 +0000

ig: They are typically Intel Atom processors.

By: ig

ig — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:59:40 +0000

What’s the CPU on that thing? If the netbook vendors are serious about truly carving out a new market sector, they should go with a decidedly non-x86 chip. This would ensure that Linux netbooks don’t end up becoming underpowered Windows netbooks after Microsoft starts bullying the vendors around.