Is System76 a good place to get a strong Linux desktop? I need a dual monitor system (media focus)with all the "bells and whistles."

I have never heard of this company before, but looking at their site, I am interested now. Hopefully somebody here has had some experience with them and can comment on the products and service.

It's extremely impressive to see an independent company like this putting out laptops. Desktop machines are easy to put into production as all the components are readily available from multitudes of suppliers. But laptop production takes a lot more money, and shows a considerable level of investment and sophistication.

Welcome top LQ.
We are inclined to judge a distro by it's name, not a download location. Have a look at this.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/linux/...Ask_a_Question

Its not a distro, its a website that offers ubuntu based desktops and laptops.

They look pretty nice. I would not be opposed to trying one.

System76 is only really worth it for people who want an out-of-the-box ubuntu install, and cant be bothered to build a system themselves. Or spec a system and get it built.

You can build something, or get something built for you that would be faster and cheaper.

System76 dont actually make laptops, they just resell other peoples laptops (mainly clevo).

cacade9, that is what my nephew would also say. When I was real young (an old guy now)I would build and rebuild motorcycles--now all I want to do is ride--don't have the time or motivation to do anything else.

Out of the Box it is. . .

Fair enough.

The main problems I have with system76 is pricing, aditional options and misleading product phtotos. Ohh, and the 'system76 rules, they sell linux systems, they diserve a medal' attitude (that often seems to come from the same people who think that mark shuttleworth should really be known as saint shuttleworth.)

People like endpcnoise, who are far more specalised than system76 seem to be abel to do much better options. (mind you, they will charge even more than system 76)-
http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/...ebones_pc.html

Its easy to beat system76s prices. Even with sites that mainly sell to 'gamers' with a great list of options, like ibuypower-
http://www.ibuypower.com/

As for the product photos, the desktops all are shown in 'speced up' trim. They tend to show optical dirves, even though to system76 the optical dirve is optional. They also do stuff like show 2xDVI ports, when the G210 cards in a lot 'base' system76 computers use are 1xDVI + 1xVGA....

BTW, I tend to think that the system76 systems are prebuilt in china, and all that system76 does is install RAM, CPU, video card and HDD.

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Cascade9: thank you so very much--I check out look the links. After so many years of sending money to MS (started with DOS)I am ready to spend some real money to get out from under it. I am sure I will have more questions later, and really appreciate this Forum. I can't wait to send my first email to my nephew Jim--named after me. He makes a living administering a large data base (Unix) and has for years talked to me about using Linux--I am sure he could answer some of these question, but I want it to be a surprise when I say; "I am a Linux user."

Thanks again

No problem custus

If the links look complex with far to many choices, its understandable. There are sure to be people around here who could help you with picking the 'right' parts for a linux system.

You might be able to download and use a linux 'live CD' (you can run the OS just from a CD/DVD without installing) with your current system as well. I'd consider doing that and emailing your nephew from a liveCD, you never know he could have a few systems that would run linux really well sitting in a corner at work.

Cascade9: I thought about it, but want to surprise the nephew. Also--have been following all the links you suggested and some tutorials on Linux Mint--I am thinking about actually building the box myself, as you originally suggested. I am so wowed by everything that is out there--the "Man-Hours" put into these Linux sites and software are staggering and being something of a "Capitalist Pig" I will be paying my way shortly (Donation). Today I am downloading the 32 bit Mint distro (live)to try out on a laptop (XP)I don't use much any more.

At this point instead of Custus--I should have called myself "Little-Steps."