How to buy a computer for Linux
 

I am going to buy a new computer very soon, and my friend told me to look into linux. I have been googling and like what I see. I want to get a Linux, but I don't know where to buy a computer to operate Linux on. Do I simply buy a regular computer and install the software (like a dell or gateway pc). Or do I have to buy a special one to install the software. I have been looking and there is not distributors of Linux computers. So some help would be greatly appreciated, I am new at this. So, can you please explain in detail. Thank You!

You may be able to get some specific advice if you post your location, but...

That's the normal way. There are people who sell computers with Linux installed (whether any are in the same country as you....) and that has the advantage that you know everything can be made to work, otherwise there may be some difficulty getting, eg, wireless, sound working.

Now almost anything can be made to work eventually, but if you just want it to work, taking a little bit of care about the chipset, wireless etc can pay dividends.

You can try the hcl or, if the supplier is local, you can try walking in with a live CD or two and see if they will let you have a look at how the system seems to work.

You may want to go with the option of a preloaded machine. If so, I would suggest you head to your local Barnes & Noble and pick up a copy of Linux Journal. In it, it will several ads for companies that sell computers preloaded with a complete Linux distro. For instance, check out Emperor Linux and Logic Supply

I live in new jersey and I was thinking buy a notebook from dell or gateway. Are they good companies to work with Ubuntu?

Personally, if there was any way to avoid buying a new computer for at least the next two years, I would do so, and not buy one.

My reason is simple: USB3 comes out late this year (2009) or early next year (2010), and computer makers are going to be slashing prices on older equipment to move it out as well as using better motherboards and such to handle USB3 (effective transfer speeds should be around 200-400 mbs vs 15-40 mbs for USB2 (Yes, I know USB2 is rated at 480 mbs, but nobody ever achieves that speed in real life, just as they won't achieve the USB3 rating of some 6.5 gigabytes per second in real life either).

So give it a year after that for USB3-compatible hardware prices to come down a tad, and you are in 2011, with either a really inexpensive computer that can't handle USB3 (irrelevant if you don't need USB3 speeds) or a middle-priced kit that can handle USB3.

Buy a cheap used computer to tide yourself over for the next two years, then hunt for bargains.

I don't know if they still do but about a year a go dell was selling computer's with ubuntu linux preinstalled.

Some things to look for:

- Video with an NVIDIA chipset. This is important, although ATI drivers are supposed to be getting better.

- Wireless with an Intel chipset. (Atheros & Broadcom can be awkward, but eventually work, usually.)

Last time I went shopping I ended up with a heavily discounted Sony Vaio, but it fulfilled the above requirements, and has worked perfectly with many flavours of linux: "Boot-n-Use"(TM).

Are they?:) I'd also recommend staying away from ATI. I bought a new laptop a few months ago, it took me a lot of googling to get the ATI graphics working (3D). With Nvidia it's usually very simple.

You have a lot of Options.
 

I have tried installing Linux on several different makes of computers and hardware is of the most importance. My best results were trying out a live CD first. I've had the best results with Fedora, Mandriva and Ubuntu. They seem to recognize the most hardware for me so far. Wireless has gotten a lot better in the last year and so has video recognition. Not much luck with Dell, desktops or laptops. The best for me so far has been IBM Thinkpads and Acer. Experiment if you can, you'll have a lot of fun. Good Luck!

All manner of good advice here---plus some doubtful things.

First, waiting for the latest new thing is a loser--regardless if you want the latest new thing, or you want the bargains in the "thing just before the latest". Technology evolves faster than most of us can think, so just buy from current offerings which meet your needs. If you absolutely NEED something, then you obviously have to wait.

Ditto the comments about Nvidia and Intel: Even if you can get other HW working, these companies need to be rewarded for being so pro-active in Linux support. Same for HP and Epson (printers, scanners,etc), and a few others.

LOTs of vendors sell computers pre-configured with Linux---Google will find them. Also, try going to a vendor's site, and then searching for "linux".