Ask HN: New Laptop, No OS, Where To Buy?

[Rhodee]

Is there an online retailer you would buy from if you needed a new laptop as your development machine?

Has to be under $500 and no OS. Will just do a fresh Ubuntu install.

Thanks for the guidance -

[ebiester]

Sadly, computers are cheaper with an OS. The vendors pile junk like 90 day virus subscriptions (that must be renewed) and Microsoft Office instant upgrades on to the computer as to lower the price.

I'd pick something off http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/ and be done with it.

[Rhodee]

This was very helpful thank you.

[fractallyte]

Just buy a laptop as usual. But then return the pre-installed Windows to the manufacturer (not the retailer), for a refund.

Your right to do this is protected by various competition laws prohibiting 'tying' - the bundling of third party products. For generic PC hardware, Windows is third party - it's not exclusively necessary to run the machine, since there are many other third party OSs available.

More details are in my comments in previous threads: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2600047 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1642068

[Rhodee]

Thank you so much. I was not even aware of this. I really appreciate it. Opens up my options.

[palehose]

eBay, used computers can be just as good as new.