Re: Linux-ready PC

[Denice <deatrich lcavsun1 epfl ch>]

On Thu, 30 Sep 1999, Anas Mughal wrote:

> I have gone thru the process of installing Linux from scratch on my PC.
> I wish to avoid that experience on my next computer.
> 
> Could someone recommend a vendor that would sell reasonably priced PII
> or PIII machines with pre-installed Linux (including all the web-server
> goodies like a firewall, webserver, etc.).

This year I have only bought PCs that come from Linux-aware companies. I
hope some vendors are reading this list, so that they get the message.  
I expect that most people are like me -- you try to keep the number of
vendors that you buy from to a fairly small number for any number of good
reasons.  Thus, even when I am buying windows boxes, I buy them from the
linux-aware vendor.  When students come to my office and as for
recommendations, I send them to the linux-aware companies.

It's nice to get a machine that is guaranteed to work. We have been happy
with machines from both Dell, and Transtec (a European company).  For
example, this fall Dell had a promotion for a Dual-cpu PIII 450 MHz with
128 MB RAM, 9 GB scsi ultra2, 17" monitor, Diamond viper 770, integrated
network, integrated sound, etc. for 3600 SFR (about 2400 US).

Their ultra2 10k rpm disks (for a little extra) are nice.  I have
re-installed linux on them (because I am very fussy) .. it takes 3 minutes
to install on these disks once the install program starts to copy from CD.
I figure that if you only error-checked the swap partition that it would
take no more than 10-15 minutes to install linux on them...

As far as software configuration goes on the pre-installed machines, well,
it still leaves a bit (actually a lot) to be desired on the machines I
have seen.

If software-configuration and server setup is important to you, then you
are probably going to pay more. I would then look at a company like
varesearch.  They are real Linux people..


-- 
denice.deatrich @ NospaM.epfl.ch, EPFL - LCAV / LCM    PH: +41 (21) 693-5643
                  (If replying by email please remove 'NospaM' from address.)
<*> This moment's fortune cookie:
I do not fear computers.  I fear the lack of them.
		-- Isaac Asimov