Laptop recommendations

[Sanukk]

Hi

I've currently got a Lenovo n200 3000, and it's getting a bit long in the tooth (keyboard has dead keys, battery very temperamental, etc), so I'm looking to buy a new laptop.

I need it to work with Fedora (obviously LOL)
Good WIFI
Good Battery life

Ideally to come without windoze installed (no point adding to the M$ coffers if I'm just going to install linux straight away), although Fedora pre-installed is probably fine.

I'm looking to spend about £300 - £400 (I'm in the UK). It will be used mainly for email/NNTP/web and a little programming so nothing too strenuous LOL

So what do you hardware gurus suggest?

-S

[doctorwhite]

Lenovo Thinkpad series are good. Get one with integrated graphics.

[Sanukk]

And the other question I forgot to ask, any recommendations on where to buy?

[doctorwhite]

Lenovo's site. Also google for coupon codes.

[stratman4300]

I've got to put my vote up for Lenovo's Thinkpad line.

Great Linux support all around and they are generally very robust laptops.

I love my T61, Fedora runs great on it and I get 3 to 4 hours battery life if i'm not doing anything too crazy on it.

[Sanukk]

My current laptop is a Lenovo so I probably will stick with them. Any idea how to buy them without Windose pre-installed?

[Sanukk]

Anybody know where to get one without windoze pre-installed?

[JamesNZ]

Don't know about other retailers but the Lenovo website says

Windows®. Life without Walls™. Lenovo recommends Windows 7.

[Sanukk]

Originally Posted by JamesNZ

Don't know about other retailers but the Lenovo website says...

Yes, but I don't see why I should pay for something I don't want and will NEVER use.

~S

[AlbertP]

http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux_laptops.html
http://www.emperorlinux.com/
Last of this sell Lenovo, at the 'Systems by Mfgr' link on the left side.

[DBelton]

There was someone a few years back that forced Dell to reimburse them for what the Windows license costed.

He ordered a system... It cam with windows on it, which he didn't want.

What he did was to follow the instructions implicitly, documenting every step where he refused the terms of the license, etc...

Then he did as it said. If you don't agree to the license terms, return the software for a refund.

They gave him a hard time over it, but in the end they refunded him the price of a windows license

[Min]

Sadly refunding windows license is not an easy process. If i were to buy a laptop, i want it to be OS free. I have license from my uni so why should i by wth OS pre installed (not that i use them often, just at time)

[Mariusz W]

The fault with the reasoning: "I am not going to use Windows, I don't want to pay for it" is: "Market Economy".

In my experience (and I live in California, a consumer's paradise), it is much more expensive to buy a computer with Linux preinstalled (often a crappy variety anyway), or at least without Windows installed, than to buy a heavily discounted quality computer with Windows on it.

[stevea]

Another point - if you keep the license then you can legally run Windoze in a virtualization or use it to install firmware upgrades (tho' i think you can use freedos for Lenovo FW).

If my recollection is correct - they only give you a few dollars back for all the weeks hassle of trying to get a MS refund. It's a ripoff and IMO has nothing to do with "market economy", more a case of monopolistic muscle cramming junk down your throat.

Got a T510 in October - love it. Be sure to search the websites for ~10% to 20% discounts on select Lenovos.

[Fenrin]

If you buy a Clevo/Sager Laptop you can choose if you want it with Windows or OS free.

So if it has not be a Lenovo I would recommend Clevo/Sager.