:. FYI T60 w/ FreeDOS directly from Lenovo

[dmitrio]

I recently run across an old article Lenovo and Novell Unveil Linux-enabled ThinkPad Mobile Workstation Based on Intel Technology. Yes a heard the rumor...
So i called 1-866-96-THINK to check the status.
The first operator was unaware of that offer, after a short waiting, he told me that the model is available through the telephone purchase, and forwarded me to the appropriate department.
There, an operator, ask me twice about my wish to get a computer with no MSFT on it, so it was confirmed, he did mentioned that the current discount are great, and then went down to bussiness.

T60
CPU: 1.8Hz
RAM: 1G
Screen: 14"
Video: ATI
HDD: 100G
Price: $1699

He denied any possibility to get another models with FreeDOS preinstalled. However, I did not check on possibility to reconfigure the offered above model.

So the bottom line, i think requests to

Contacts:
Bob Page, Lenovo
919 991 3467
rpage@us.lenovo.com

Kevin Barney, Novell
801 861 2931
kbarney@novell.com

may lead to a possibility of expansion of laptops with no MSFT preinstalled.

[rkawakami]

Sorry, but I'm confused... I can currently configure the following:

- T7200 CPU (2.0Ghz)
- 1GB RAM (1 DIMM)
- 15" SXGA+
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 128MB
- 100GB 7200rpm HD or 160GB 5400rpm
- CDRW/DVD combo drive
- Thinkpad a/b/g wireless
- 6-cell battery
- Windows XP Pro
- $1714

So for $15 more, a faster processor, bigger screen AND a copy of Windows XP. Is there something I'm missing? Besides not putting more $$$ into MSFT coffers?

[dmitrio]

that's confuse me as well,
possible answer IMO is that certification require certain hardware components to be installed
but again this is just a guess

[pjain]

I believe that even though you're not getting an MSFT OS installed, Lenovo must still pay MSFT a small license for the computer you are buying. You would think that MSFTonly gets paid for the computers that ship with a MSFT OS but that isn't usually the case. MSFT has very favorable terms with most OEMs and is able to get paid even when a PC sells w/o a MSFT OS. Hence, the very very minor price differential between FreeDOS and WinXP.

[whizkid]

Going only on previous pricing, and since we are guessing here, my guess is that the FreeDOS configuration is an early model. IBM and Lenovo never reduce the MSRP of a model; it's always the same as long as it's available. There may be sales, but the base price never changes.

However, when newer models are released, with better/bigger screens, hard drives, CPUs, etc., those are priced at the time of release, and often lower than older models. It's very strange to look at places like CDW or Insight selling discontinued ThinkPads for a lot more than current, more capable models.

[zverg]

I was actually just reading up on the ubuntu forums about the Dell/Ubuntu deal.

A Dell latitude D631 with ubuntu is $55 more than that exact same Latitude configured with Vista.

Is it worth it? Why yes, yes it is. I'd pay $55 dollars to never do another vista install ever again

but yeah, just buy it with windows, reformat. microsoft wins either way, they're always getting their money.. bah

[dmitrio]

well, shortly after, dell admitted the mistake and get back to the scheme where small and soft equipped laptop cost $50 more.

and yes, i agree to pay extra for a linux or empty computer.
I just wander, can i order everything from parts department and build it myself. i guess i have to check their price list to see the difference.