Thinkpads Forum

Lenovo is still not doing it right with their Linux initiative.

1) X series don't offer Linux as an option. They still force people to pay $50-$100 for the crappy, slow, buggy, stupid, bloated Vista. Fine, just ship the Thinkpad with PC-DOS. I will install it myself.

2) The Linux version of T61 has limited hardware selection. No webcam, and only come with older CPUs. We still have to pay Micro$oft tax to get the webcam and new CPU. We want the COMPLETE hardware selection AND Linux. Not either or.

3) Why not Ubuntu? Not that it matters. A lot of people do their own fresh Linux install anyway.

ASUS, Dell already have been pumping out Linux laptops like crazy, and people like them just fine.

What do you think? Do you feel the same way?

What happens if you try to order a laptop with no harddrive ? (Can you ?)
They wouldn't be able to pre-install Vista on a non-existant harddrive.

I like the idea. I guess without a hard drive, it is not a full computer, thus it is not obligated to the age-old Microsoft treaty - "every computer must ship with an OS on it."

I will pick my own hard disk from newegg. So Lenovo can skip both the stingy hard drive and Microsoft tax. I think a lot of people will be happy with that.

If someone had successfull order to get a TP with no hard drive please post here!
I tried that in a past with negative results.

In some countries particularly in South Asia; lenovo offers an option of ordering thinkpads with PC-DOS version, I don't know any logic behind it, perhaps it has something to do with piracy or not so stronghold up of Microsoft.

Also, I don't think you can order your thinkpad without HDD.

Well, at Dell for their Linux laptops I believe they ended up costing the same for Windows or Linux. It might be that the Linux version was even more expensive....

I don't think they should bother with that (I'd rather have better display). I bet the Windows Vista license for large companies like Lenovo does not cost more than 10 USD per unit. Just remove it and use whatever you want. As others have said, the price would be similar or even higher.

I dumped the Vista Home distro and loaded Ubuntu 8.04 64-bit. Works very well (with the usual minor tweaking). I tried Fedora 9 too, but went back to Ubuntu. It would be nice if Lenovo could pass on the savings but I doubt it would amount to much. I paid a MS tax and that annoys me, but I got over it . . .

they are primarily in the business of serving businesses, who generally want windows.

Also linux just doesn't cut it on the tablet

Puppy wrote:I don't think they should bother with that (I'd rather have better display). I bet the Windows Vista license for large companies like Lenovo does not cost more than 10 USD per unit. Just remove it and use whatever you want. As others have said, the price would be similar or even higher.

Not at all true. Most reports are that major OEM's pay $50-60 for Vista Basic and $75-90 for Vista Business or Home Premium. (for U.S. machines) They are also required to provide level 1 tech support.