When I was preparing to buy a new laptop a few weeks ago, I briefly looked into Linux laptops. The main reason I didn't buy one is they were a bit beyond my budget: they apparently tend to cost more than comparable Windows laptops (probably due to a smaller production run, economy of scale, that stuff).

But my second reason was that as far as I could tell, the only obvious special feature that made them "Linux laptops" was that they had a Linux OS preinstalled. If that's the case...so what? Any user who knows how to install a Linux OS doesn't need any OS pre-installed. I'd rather buy a laptop with a blank hard drive, or no hard drive, and take care of the Linux installation myself (and transfer my data files over). Even if this forced me to buy used. I've been doing that anyway. But Linux is too easily and quickly installed to need someone else to do it for me.

As far as I can tell, the only advantage is allowing the owner to feel good about themselves for avoiding Microsoft. But...I'll bet some company sells new laptops with blank/no hard drives, and I just haven't heard of them. Unless there really isn't, why buy a new Linux laptop?

Well, to an extent yes. The big thing is that they use hardware that's linux friendly AND have linux pre-installed. If you're careful in your selection of hardware, you can get #1 easily enough, but you'll never see things like Broadcom wireless on a linux-laptop, because the drivers simply are terrible in linux, and most of the chipsets don't work with open source drivers.

Ah, I see...hardware.

Some have Libreboot https://libreboot.org/suppliers/ sweet!

Hi newbiesforever, I recently purchased a Dell laptop with Ubuntu Linux preinstalled. I'm happy to share my thoughts and answer any of your questions.

First of all, yes: you are correct from a certain point of view. I don't use Ubuntu, so the operating system that came preinstalled on my Dell was useless to me. Immediately after unboxing, I did a full reinstall of my Linux distribution of choice. So you are correct, at that point in the equation, it didn't really matter for my purposes whether the laptop came with Windows or Ubuntu.

That said, I am happy with my purchase, for the following reasons:

1. I've used a lot of Dells through the years, and have confidence in their products.
2. All the hardware is tested to run well with Linux, for example the wireless chipset is Intel instead of Broadcom like most other Dells, so it works "out of the box" in most distros.
3. I am "supposed" to be using Linux on this machine, so it doesn't void the warranty, and Dell tech support will have a clue what I'm talking about, if I ever need to call them.
4. The laptop was sold through the Dell Business store, as opposed to their home/consumer lineup, so it was more configurable with various hardware choices and tech support options.
5. I saved about $100 by choosing Ubuntu over Windows!!!

This was my third purchase of a Linux-preinstalled computer (two laptops and a desktop) and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

You'll likely save more than that $100 over the next decade or so...

Dell isn't (entirely) stuck in the old Windows bundling paradigm? That's good. I hope Dell isn't the only one.

I had to look up what Libreboot is--an open-source BIOS, eh? I see that some ThinkPad models were tested with it by the project, and I've always used ThinkPads, so perhaps I'll look into this further.

There are lots of suppliers/manufacturers of systems without an installed O/S, even some of the big ones will sell without an installed O/S, but they get MS Windows cheap, so they put it on everything, which is acceptable to the majority of computer purchasers - & there lies the rub - until people demand Linux on their new computers, this will continue to do so.

I buy my machines without an O/S, new & second user, or if it does come with some thing on it, it doesn't last longer than me testing it with a 'live' distro, then installing either Linux (AntiX) or OpenBSD.

Well, this willingness by Dell to install Ubuntu on some of its computers says to me that people have started demanding Linux, just not enough.

for people that do not have a clue of the meaning of what the word install is even and are to scared to find out on their own. Beyond that I have no idea why one would do such a thing.

My IBM T20 has Debian 9 and so does this T420...

I gather that's a sarcastic swipe at the idea of buying preinstalled software, because this kind of person is implausible otherwise. If someone knows what Linux is in the first place and wants it on their new computer, they've probably installed some software in their life. Or: If they fear installing an OS, they probably haven't used Linux before and I wouldn't expect them to be willing to try.

very analytical thought there yea? key word "if" but not necessarily.

yes and no. I met this person in the College store once. He wanted to buy some software, and wanted to install it on his computer. But wanted to know where it was installed, just so he'd know. it was windows software.

I told him to just tell the install program for this software where to install it. that way he'd know where it was. simple yes?

I never seen someone have such a mental break down before over installing software onto a Computer. I mean an actual psychological mental breakdown over that idea that is feasible.

the term Neurosis comes to mind. He didn't want to break the OS [Windows] by installing the software in a different location. which would not have happened. His demeanor itself showed signs of ridged-ness. An abnormal personality trait. You'd have to had been there I do suppose.

Not necessarily -- people "rebel" against Windows for a variety of reason especially now that M$ has actually confirmed that Siri is spyware. I know that, a few years ago, my ex was considering a Mac because of M$'s treatment of their users also. My brother uses a Mac for practical reasons but he's also not a fan of M$'s ways. My other brother used to sell M$ software and I'd not be surprised if he bought a laptop preinstalled with Linux if it were able to do what he needed.