NeedForADefinitiveHardwareSource

I would like to know for future reference where I can buy a computer that is fully compatible with completely free software (for example gNewSense).

I am new to GNU/Linux, and don't have the tech knowledge that sometimes seems taken for granted on FSF's Hardware Resource page. Further, the resources provided are confusing and seem to contradict. For example, there is a link to Ubuntu's rating of vendors for free and open-source cooperation, on this list Intel would seem to score quite highly. But at FSF there is encouragement to buy AMD because of their support for OpenBios. Complicating it further is the fact that the one big vendor that would seem to be cooperating at the moment, Dell, has NVidia graphics chips on their Ubuntu machines, Nvidia scoring in the worst category on Ubuntu's own ratings.

Is the only way to get something fully compatible at the moment to piece together your own machine with information gleaned from the various lists?

Is there some reluctance to appear to be endorsing a certain website, vendor, etc., over some finer point or nuance that conflicts with FSF?

I hate to come across like I'm barging in and throwing around criticism, but it would seem to me that a top priority would be presenting an easy way to get compatible hardware. Perhaps I should be directing this directly to the FSF, as I'm sure gNewSense has limited resources.

I guess my question would be: Does anyone know a good website, resource, or company, where I can buy a complete system and be relatively certain it is fully gNewSense compatible? And would Dell be one of them?

http://www.system76.com/

Sorry about the time delay! System 76 is very Gnu-Linux orientated!

Thanks for the reply! Sorry for my delay. I checked out System 76, and they look like they are a wholesome company. But I noticed they use nVidia graphics cards. Aren't those currently a problem with free software?

Hi keyboardashtray,

These days it's very hard to find a company that specializes in hardware that's fully compatible with GNU/Linux and in particular gNewSense.

I think the best thing to do is to assemble your own system following information available on the net. The hardware database of the FSF is a good resource although it may be somewhat incomplete.

System76 provides good machines but like you say they contain nvidia graphic cards and the more recent models require proprietary drivers. Just go for an Intel graphic card.

Good luck!

HI there! I'm running a Toshiba Satellite A100-583 Multi Media Laptop bought last June, And GnewSense and Gobuntu work perfectly well.

Yes, but this could just mean that gNewSense has failed to find the proprietary firmware... couldn't it? Also... went to hear a lecture from Richard Stallman yesterday. Richard was saying that, yes, nvidia is not cooperating but ATI is.

keyboardashtray: please use free bios instead of 'openbios' because the term 'open' clearly indicates 'open source'. you ought to stick to the fsf resources for hardware information; an intellectual hurdle over which the least of us cannot jump. a modicum of knowledge is required; don't sell yourself so short. (:

bj: i think your mentioning gobuntu, which is a non-free distribution, ought to have been left out. i also think the system76 promotion might be okay so long as you make it clear they install and recommend non-free software.

Hi keyboardashtray and welcome aboard. ;)

Fully free desktop computers: http://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/systems

The only fully free laptop computer is the OLPC-XO but we don't support it anymore because its founder Nicolas Negroponte betrayed the project's principles by arranging to make it run Windows.

The FSF is working with Lemote (a chinese company) to build, develop and promote a fully free software latop but we have to wait some months before we could see a final product.

A possible alternative is the Asus EEE PC but only the 701 and 900 models. They are entirely free except for the closed bios. Beware that the 901 and 1000 have not the wireless working with a fully free system yet.

Hope this helps.

Once again we can say
[http://laclinux.com/gnu/GNU_Linux_Computers|Los Alamos Computers]

Choose freedom

LAC is a good company because they donate a portion of their earnings to the FSF. The problem is Lenovo. I don't support it and don't trust it anymore.

1) Soon after the IBM acquisition, a Lenovo CEO said "we don't care about GNU/LInux".

2) People got angry. Lenovo: "No we never said we don't care about GNU/Linux".

3) "Yes, we will offer Thinkpads T series with GNU/Linux preinstalled"

4) then the company decided to abandon desktop Linux preloads.

5) NOW they tell us: "In addition, we will be delivering new GNU/Linux offerings on our new Lenovo servers, and Ideapad Netbook education models, scheduled for release in September and October respectively."

...

I am a bit tired of this and you? :)

Let's hope Lemote would make a good work and bring us a fully freedom respectful machine.