[sanjuro]

I am looking at a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 for a laptop. I would prefer linux but I am afraid of something ridiculous like a stupid WMP vid or an app that I need to run.

1. Does anyone know if Dell will sell a dual booted system?

2. If not, then would be smarter to buy an XP system then install linux as opposed to the other way around?

I would think the issues are: buying a XP license, proper device drivers for windows, and that I could probably find a good version of linux (I assume Ubuntu) that should find.

Or is there another company which will sell a dual booted laptop?

 

[H8R]

I am looking at a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 for a laptop. I would prefer linux but I am afraid of something ridiculous like a stupid WMP vid or an app that I need to run.

1. Does anyone know if Dell will sell a dual booted system?

2. If not, then would be smarter to buy an XP system then install linux as opposed to the other way around?

I would think the issues are: buying a XP license, proper device drivers for windows, and that I could probably find a good version of linux (I assume Ubuntu) that should find.

Or is there another company which will sell a dual booted laptop?

Just run Ubuntu and use Wine for Winblows programs. I do it all the time. I don't miss XP one bit.

 

[$tinkle]

^^^^^

 

[binary visions]

1. Does anyone know if Dell will sell a dual booted system?

No. Last time I talked to a sales rep they'll do one or the other.

2. If not, then would be smarter to buy an XP system then install linux as opposed to the other way around?

Yes. Why would you pay for an XP license that you get heavily subsidized in the computer? Install the free OS afterwards.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

No. Last time I talked to a sales rep they'll do one or the other.


Yes. Why would you pay for an XP license that you get heavily subsidized in the computer? Install the free OS afterwards.

After which you pay for the "free" OS in labor.

 

[sanjuro]

After which you pay for the "free" OS in labor.

Well, I have called support a total of zero times.

My biggest concern is what I did with the OS disks in case my h/d went bad.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I meant your time, although paid support would count as well.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Get the computer with XP & install Linux after.

 

[H8R]

Acer Aspire One comes w/ XP Home at Walmart for $350.00

Toss Ubuntu on it and you have a winner.

1GB ram, 160GB hard drive. (not an SSD)

They're nice. The keyboard ain't so cramped. I'm picking one up later after I'm done buying textile equipment.

 

[sanjuro]

I am pretty unadventurous when it comes to computers. I have bought several Dells over the years, knowing I am paying more for the brand name.

I have had good luck with Dell, so I think it has worked out.

 

[$tinkle]

you could wait: Microsoft says next Windows won't be as annoying

 

[skatetokil]

Yeah, i just built up a new desktop with some spare parts from a friend and some newegg purchases. Downloading ubuntu right now and I'm going to give that a try, then maybe when windows 7 comes out I'll make the switch.

However I am going to try wine and if I can run GIS software on linux I'll stick with it.

 

[H8R]

Yeah, i just built up a new desktop with some spare parts from a friend and some newegg purchases. Downloading ubuntu right now and I'm going to give that a try, then maybe when windows 7 comes out I'll make the switch.

However I am going to try wine and if I can run GIS software on linux I'll stick with it.

The other option is Virtualbox in Ubuntu. You make a separate install of Windows (or any other OS). It works really well.

 

[Transcend]

I meant your time, although paid support would count as well.

He's going to spend a lot less time making Linux work than he will fixing windows every 48 hours.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I am pretty unadventurous when it comes to computers. I have bought several Dells over the years, knowing I am paying more for the brand name.

I have had good luck with Dell, so I think it has worked out.

I have had good luck with Optiplex desktops and various laptops. I am not fond of their servers because Dell server management tools suck the big root.

He's going to spend a lot less time making Linux work than he will fixing windows every 48 hours.

Crap. XP Pro is stable and fast, as are the server operating systems. I cannot speak to Vista because I decided to pass based on the poor reputation it built as it was released.

If you need to "fix Windows every 48 hours" you are incompetent.

 

[binary visions]

Crap. XP Pro is stable and fast, as are the server operating systems. I cannot speak to Vista because I decided to pass based on the poor reputation it built as it was released.

If you need to "fix Windows every 48 hours" you are incompetent.

 

[SkaredShtles]

I'm going to have to agree... XP has been really trouble-free for me.

 

[skatetokil]

Yeah, xp really benefits from periodic re-installs to keep it feeling snappy, but honestly all my system failures have been a result of hardware, viruses or my own stupidity. I've reinstalled the system 4 times in 6 years on my old machine and with ath xp 1900+ and 512mb ram it boots and runs just fine with very little noticeable lag unless i'm doing something heavy duty.

 

[$tinkle]

must admit, while xp (basic & pro) has been underwhelming, i haven't bsod'd once.
same for vista, but it's only been 5 months

 

[sanjuro]

I have a tiny bit of experience with Dell servers, but just with linux. F WinSrv.

The desktops have not have any major failures for me, knock on wood.

I am not in love with XP, but I want to be able to run Microsoft-dependent crap when I need to, not hack it up.

 

[H8R]

I am not in love with XP, but I want to be able to run Microsoft-dependent crap when I need to, not hack it up.

Then see my post above.

 

[valve bouncer]

Acer Aspire One comes w/ XP Home at Walmart for $350.00

Toss Ubuntu on it and you have a winner.

1GB ram, 160GB hard drive. (not an SSD)

They're nice. The keyboard ain't so cramped. I'm picking one up later after I'm done buying textile equipment.

With the 6-cell battery? I was following a thread on another forum where they were talking about this deal and a lot of people were saying that at the store the actual computer was the 120gb/3-cell battery model. Not such a screaming deal. It was suggested buyers check well.

 

[Ciaran]

FWIW -

I just did a clean install of XP using the whole disk. I then booted to the Ubuntu CD, ran the install. Ubuntu partitioned the drive, and installed without issue. And I am a complete linux n00b.

Seems to be running OK so far but it's only been a week.