I was curious if there were any major computer manufacturers that offered serious alternatives to the MS os's, specifically linux alternatives.

I am wanting to purchase a few computers (probably a desktop and laptop) which will be used for a new business a friend is creating. I was wondering if there were companies from which to buy computers from that offered pre-installed linux distros. I know dell has a few computers they offer with free-dos and i was very surprised to see that not even IBM offered desktop or laptop computers with linux pre-installed.

I would just buy one of the Windows os's and wipe the drive to install linux, i just would rather avoid that cost.

I would preffer a company with a decent level of support and as this is a startup business they are looking to keep costs relatively low.

Any suggestions from this awesome community on portential retailers?

Thanks

You don't say what country your in so it's difficult to say, but if you go to your local computer shop they will sell you one with nothing installed.

Sorry about that, I live in The US.

It has been my experience that most of the computer stores (at least the local ones) only offer pre -ms'd computers. I could build my own probably, but would rather have the support option as well.

I don't know how well this translates to the US, but I wasn't refering to what I know as computer stores, (PC World, Comet, Currys here), but the local computer shop where you can specify what you want, buy just parts or whole pc's. Usually cheaper too. Maybe you don't have them.

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...s=&l=en&s=bsd&
http://www.penguincomputing.com/prod...ions/index.php
http://www.emperorlinux.com/

There are more and more companies selling hardware with Linux preinstalled. Generally they just don't advertise it, or hide it deep in the bowels of their webpage. The first link is to Dell workstations with RHEL preinstalled. The second two are companies that _only_ sell products with Linux installed.