Thinkpads Forum

"The PC maker is set to announce a plan to offer its ThinkPad T60p with SUSE Linux pre-installed. ... "
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1999108,00.asp

Personally even though I use linux (gentoo and arch) I wouldnt like to have Suse already installed on my thinkpad.

I would prefer to have my thinkpad come to me blank ready for me to install what I want.

However this is definitely a step in the right direction.

It would be neat if they would not only do it for Linux but other non-Win operating systems. It might more sense to be able to order one without any os. One could save on not having to pay for Win and the coast might be lower.

Personally, I think it would be more useful if they gave you the option to have the SUSE install. But nonetheless certify the SUSE distro and provide support.

djpharoah wrote:Personally even though I use linux (gentoo and arch) I wouldnt like to have Suse already installed on my thinkpad.

I would prefer to have my thinkpad come to me blank ready for me to install what I want.

However this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Looks like Novell and Lenovo took a turn in the wrong direction by charging a ransom for SLED preinstallation. I just got off the phone with Lenovo and wrote about it here http://linosx.nyvisitek.com/2006/08/15/ ... for-linux/

If anyone gets the ThinkVantage apps running on other distros or other ThinkPads, I'd love to hear about it.

"San Francisco (CA) - Lenovo continues to transform IBM's former PC division and adjust the characteristics that determine the look and feel of the computers. After adopting AMD processors in certain models, Lenovo now also offers a prestigeous Thinkpad notebook time with a pre-installed Linux operating system."
Wolfgang Gruener
http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/08/15/lenov ... _thinkpad/

another article on it.

I just wish they would pre-install my favorite os; eComStation.

I would love to see Linux preloaded on thinkpads, especially since buying a thinkpad _without_ windows is impossible and therfore you are in a sence paying a tax set by microsoft.

I however, needed the windows install for work, but I can't say the same for my neighbour that bought a T43. I think he would Loooove a nice discount for choosing Linux instead. And not needing to buy the inevitable antiviral software when running Windows.

eComStation - Interesting. What kernel is it based on?

What someone needs to do is build a generic image for their laptop model and offer it for download. I have a feeling this will end up being me....

X

you dont need an os when buting a computer, you just need to call and ask for no preinstalled OS.

Really? Crap. I just had someone do the order online for me; there wasn't an option for "no OS", so they picked the cheapest one.

Going forward, I'll make sure to call and speak with a human.

X

This is a sign of Linux making inroads in the marked. This offer is not exactly something I would ever buy.

For one thing, it uses ATI graphics. I just bought a z61t with Intel graphics, specifically because Intel actively supports Linux with open source drivers. ATI is not exactly what I call Linux friendly

The fact that it will require closed source drivers is a big turn of. Such drivers are illegal, doesn't work well and they are unethical (http://www.kroah.com/log/linux/ols_2006_keynote.html).

It's nothing more than a DOS loaded ThinkPad that you can pick up directly from Lenovo. The only difference is that there is a deal in place for customers to acquire a preconfigured image from Novell, which they can then apply to the machine. Out of the box, new from Lenovo, it's nothing but Dos. Once the initial support window is up, you're on your own without a software service contract from Novell.

Lenovo will support the hardware itself, but not the preload. That in my book means it isn't much of a Linux preload in the first place.

MG.