Where can I find a decent laptop (/not/ a netbook) with more-or-less free software compatible components? I was thinking of just getting a regular shrink-wrapped Windoze machine and replacing everything on the hard drive, but if possible I don't want to send any money towards Microsoft and friends. I've been looking for at least a something with no OS at all, but pretty much drew a blank. The limit is about 600 bucks, or I'd probably get a laptop from Los Alamos Computers, but the cheapest one available is far, far too expensive.
arc — 25 October 2008, 09:42
Please don't buy a machine with windows preinstalled.
Choose the lesser evil and get one with GNU/Linux preinstalled even if the distribution it's not fully free.
Of course then you will replace it with gNewSense. ;)
There is a chinese company called Lemote that is developing a fully free software laptop (bios included) but it will be ready in a few months:
www.lemote.com
If you need it now, there are some netbooks like the Asus EEE Pc 701 and 900 models thare fully free except for the bios and comes with GNU/Linux Xandros preinstalled.
I know blag developers are studying how to put coreboot on the eee pc but they didn't come to anything yet.
gNewSense works very well with those machines: all the hardware is recognized and functional.
Beware that the 901 and 1000 models have non free wifi.
The new Dell Inspiron Mini is a netbook with non free wifi.
There are some thinkpads models with Atheros wireless chipset that are fully free except for the bios but a bit expensive I think.
For some other options please have a look at my page about the status of free software compatible computers:
http://www.sorbaioli.org/computer.php
I found a Dell (I'm not enough of a hardware hacker to hate them yet ;)) with Ubuntu Hardy, which is a lot better than the depressing current default, Vista. I'm probably going with that. Thanks!
arc, do you know how to get those lemote computers? Their website cannot be accessed at the moment.
arc — 27 October 2008, 10:29
AFAIK they are not still available.
Richard told me he has a prototype (of the laptop) and that the final model should be available "in a few months".
For what I read on the net, I think they will be available next year, maybe
in the first quarter.
I tried to wrote to Lemote but they didn't answer.
You can try if you want.
It would be awesome if gNewSense GNU os was a preloaded on it. nice find arc.
Yes! Last I heard it was going for around $190.00 USD, although that sounds a tad low for a laptop. Don't know what the shipping might be to Canada. Can't wait to see when it finally comes out!
arc — 28 October 2008, 07:51
AFAIK the FSF is sponsoring a gNewSense MIPS port. I don't know if it already started but that's the path they are following.
ben — 02 November 2008, 16:17
YeeLoong, the free bios/os machine, lacks an internal wifi card. this is quite a pity, since - well, netbooks are designed for mobile use, aren't they? and in generally it is the wifi which causes most of the trouble with non-free firmware, isn't it? so after all, concerning the os this is not a real step. free bios is interesting, though.
take a look again. it included the RTL8187B(wifi) chipset for wifi.
My Acer Aspire 5100 is running 100% free software now. I will try it with Aspire ONE when the price of dollar slow down in México.
ben — 04 November 2008, 08:34
@gnulogic: yes, you are right. thanks for pointing this out to me. i was confused by reading something about USB Wifi extension.
so this is indeed good news. hope it will be available in europe soon.
Excellent Article Pedro! Best link I clicked on all week.
ben — 28 November 2008, 22:45
arc — 29 November 2008, 11:01
see my new topic about Lemote Yeeloong in Europe.
We're almost there. :)
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