I fully agree with Warren's more extensive list of caveats. Also, I would like to clarify a couple of things:
The DELL laptop I bought did not come with a pre-installed Linux - it had no OS at all. As for using the live CD, I made it clear to the shop assistant that I was going to buy it on the spot, and for cash, if it worked, but would not buy it, nor would I buy anything else, if I did not test it or if it did not work. As for the WiFi, I asked the gentleman to log on to their own WiFi himself (while I looked away :) and to show me the Google Homepage, which he did. Following that, I immediately made my purchase in cash, so that I made it worth his while for that sale and for possible future similar ones. I hope he still works there! Effie On Tue, 2012-04-03 at 06:31 +0200, Daniel wrote: > thanks to your feedback. > > > > Good evening Fellow Penguins, > > > > I would like to start off that i agree with Effie on most points, > > how ever if your friend has certain peripherals to be connected they > > ought to be considered when making the switch. > > > > I admit i am not a 100% linux user now i am more of a 45% user of linux, > > Linux has come a long way and still has a long road ahead and this is what > > i take into consideration when recommending linux. > > > > 1. What level of computer knowledge do they have > > 2. Have they ever used Linux in the past or are able to adapt to "change" > > 3. what will s/he will be using i for > > 4. Are there any Specific requirements (this may be from software to > > hardware) > > 5. will it be connected to a network and able to be given support(Daniel > > you should know about MCA & MITA's intolerance to no control on OSS) > > 6. what is his estimated Budget and how long those he want it to serve him > > > > these are a few questions that can help in 1. purchasing a new system, 2. > > what OS/Software will be needed and 3. (most important) Availability of > > Support when something mysteriously F***s up > > > > Also if i am not mistaken Dell Stopped Selling the "ubuntu 10.10 or 10.04" > > laptop as only 20 units where sold locally (got my own contacts), and if he > > is looking for a cost reduced system it is best to by it with out an OS > > saves a minimum of €100 off the price. > > > > Also effie i am surprised that they even let you user "thier" wifi let > > alone run a liveCD... > > > > I also have some traders that import from mainland Europe and are able to > > provide me with discounted laptops with no OS should there be a need. > > > > Hope i have helped in some small way and not scared him away as most people > > aren't ready for Change let alone committing to it. > > > > Peace, > > Warren Camilleri > > > > p.s i found Mint LXDE quite handy for old systems, unity is favered by my > > little brother who i kinda forced into using... > > > > And i am still looking for a replacement to "Twieqi" in regards to gaming > > and Graphic design :S hence my usage of "Twieqi" as for general usage i > > still consider these distros Ubuntu, OpenSuse, and still need to test Mints > > Gnome as i am a somewhat simple user (mac like user). > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Effie Ciantar @ GMail" <[email protected]> > > > To: "Malta Linux User Group - general list" <[email protected]> > > > Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 10:45:30 PM > > > Subject: Re: [LINUX.ORG.MT] Open source Operating system in a laptop > > > > > > Dear Daniel, > > > > > > Last October, I tried to buy a Linux based laptop and had > > > considerable > > > difficult in finding one without windows pre-installed. > > > > > > Eventually, I found that DELL (next door to SCAN in Marsa) had one > > > which > > > they offered with Windows or without an operating system. > > > > > > So I took along with me a live Ubuntu distribution so that I could > > > check > > > that all the hardware was recognised and after I convinced them that > > > the > > > hard disk would not be touched, they allowed me to boot from it and > > > it > > > was OK (they even allowed me to log on into their WiFi to check it!). > > > > > > So I bought this DELL laptop and have had no problems with it. My > > > only > > > grudge is that it does not have F keys - instead, the function of F > > > keys > > > is obtained by pressing the function key [Fn] along with the top-row > > > numeric keys. Of course, certain short-cuts (like Alt-F4 to close a > > > window) with is very quick and easy with a single hand, becomes > > > fiddly > > > as you have to use both hands to press the function key and Alt 4. > > > Nevertheless, I have saved a nice sum for not buying windows and it > > > is > > > serving me well. > > > > > > But before rushing into buying such a laptop, it is worth considering > > > what printer he has. As you know, not all printers support Linux > > > equally well. > > > > > > Also worth considering is what distro to go for - I would suggest > > > something easy and attractive like Kubuntu, Mint or Knoppix. > > > > > > But most important of all, if he has never used Linux before, perhaps > > > he > > > ought to consider a Windows lap-top and dual booting it into Linux. > > > That way, he will always have a fall-back position if he finds a > > > problem > > > until he gets accustomed to Linux. > > > > > > That's my penny's worth :) > > > > > > Effie. > > > > > > On Mon, 2012-04-02 at 19:41 +0200, Daniel wrote: > > > > This evening I was talking to a teacher who is a friend of mine and > > > > who is interested in buying a new laptop for himself. I told him > > > > that > > > > he should consider buying an open source one and he seems highly > > > > interested even because of the values behind the OS. Would you have > > > > any suggestions on what best to look for and if possible cheaper > > > > prices as well? > > > > Daniel > > > > > > > > -- > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > MLUG-list mailing list > > > > [email protected] > > > > http://linux.org.mt/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mlug-list > > > _______________________________________________ > > > MLUG-list mailing list > > > [email protected] > > > http://linux.org.mt/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mlug-list > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > MLUG-list mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://linux.org.mt/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mlug-list > > > > > > -- > > _______________________________________________ > MLUG-list mailing list > [email protected] > http://linux.org.mt/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mlug-list _______________________________________________ MLUG-list mailing list [email protected] http://linux.org.mt/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mlug-list
