How well does linux desktop's sell?

[DGrier]

I was just wondering how well linux sells on desktops? I mean like a company like system76. Is there a fair share of people buying manufacture desktop these day with linux installed?

[MASONTX]

From looking at different comments on the forum, it seems that linux users use a lot of different versions. Which version would a manufacturer pick? Ubuntu is at the top of the distrowatch list, but Fedora, OpenSuse, and others all have their following. I would just be happy if they produced a no os version and knocked the cost of MS off the price. Instead most custom build options give you the option of which variety of MS you want.

[Cabhan]

I had never heard of System76, but I've heard of similar situations before (EmperorLinux, Dell n Series, etc.). Frankly, I don't believe that these options are very popular. Most Linux users purchase a computer with another OS pre-installed, and then either replace it with Linux or install Linux as a dual-boot.

I think the reason for this is twofold. One, no major computer manufacturers actively support Linux. Even Dell, which does explicitly produce a no-OS computer, does not advertise the option, and no one really seems aware of it. This is likely due in no small part to the agreements that these companies have with Microsoft.

The second reason is that the manufacturers that do supply Linux on new computers tend to be small and unknown. Taking a quick look at System76's website, for instance, I don't really see major price differences between them and other manufacturers. Considering how easy it is to install Linux these days, why not purchase from a better-known, presumably more reliable company?

[meton_magis]

To expand a bit, I think that few sell pre-loaded Linux boxes because it's not economicly feasable.

Most people who use linux, and would want to seek out a company that sells linux computers, tend to be more computer savy than most.

If you take the group of people who use linux, then remove people who don't use the most popular distro (currently believed to be ubuntu, though I don't know where the numbers come from,) then remove the group that builds their own computers, then remove the group that dual boots (because they'll likely want the cheap OEM windows, then add in Linux,) then remove the people that want the most recent ubuntu and not the last version (for companies that don't use up to date, bleeding edge,) and you have a very small group of people who you can sell to.

I really can't blame manufacturers for not selling Linux installed boxes. It is crappy that we have to buy windows on most, but I can't blame them for doing a no-OS option, and not a linux option.

[elija]

The fact that most PC's come with Windows (and assuming that you are going to replace Windows) you have an opportunity to claim a refund for WIndows and donate the money to your chosen distro.

You must never have booted Windows to get the refund; although I'm not quite sure how to prove this. It may also require persistence and politeness to get the refund.

[GNU-Fan]

@meton_magis: Even though I usually wipe the hard drive and install "my" OS on every new computer I get, I still prefer to buy those with some GNU/Linux preinstalled.

The reason is that the preinstalled OS is an indicator that the hardware will be decently supported. Of course I could also browse the web if each component has Linux drivers, but this take time and effort.

So I'd think, say, "Ubuntu preinstalled" is an interesting feature for a big share of the community, no matter what distribution they are going to install in the end.

[meton_magis]

@meton_magis: Even though I usually wipe the hard drive and install "my" OS on every new computer I get, I still prefer to buy those with some GNU/Linux preinstalled.

The reason is that the preinstalled OS is an indicator that the hardware will be decently supported. Of course I could also browse the web if each component has Linux drivers, but this take time and effort.

So I'd think, say, "Ubuntu preinstalled" is an interesting feature for a big share of the community, no matter what distribution they are going to install in the end.

I had never thought about it that way. I fall into the "builds their own rig" group, so I have never really had to try to see what manufacturer builds good stuff. I do have my group of hardware vendors who make known good products that I continually purchase from, but it tends to be easier to find out if a specific product works with linux, as opposed to searching for a computer name and hoping to hit a page that reviews it for linux. I could see how trying to determine if a "Dell BVD123WTF " computer works with linux would be a difficult task.

[DGrier]

Once I get back from this deployment I have been thinking about buildng some desktop's and preloading them with ubuntu. I am curious if they will sell. I have noticed there are a few companies that run on ebay that build there own pc and install a linux distro on there for the consumers.

I am also thinking about building a Low end desktop that would be cheap for people and load it with Puppy linux. I havent heard of this distro untill about two weeks ago but it is suppose to be extremely light wieght OS and I thik people would find it easy since it looks a lot like windows xp.

[MASONTX]

Take a look at TeenPup. It is a jazzed up version of Puppy linux. I just took a quick look, but it seemed to be a very good option.

[TaZMAniac]

Macpup is a very good looking remaster of Puppy.
Macpup: A beautiful remaster of Puppy Linux