Non-Windows laptops?

[coder123]

Aside from Chromebooks has anyone been able to find laptops that didn't have Windows preloaded onto them? Also has anyone here loaded Mint onto a chromebook to replace the ChromeOS? If so, how did it go? Did it all work out driver compatibility ect?

[MintBean]

Dell sell some, System76 and ZaReason specialise in them.

[Tomgin5]

I have dropped 17.3 Cinnamon64 and 18.1 Cinnamon64 into 3 MacBook 2.0 's. Quite simple really. I put the hard drives into another similar powered laptop and idid the initial install from Live flash drives. I entered the targeted model # into the log on info. I then put the drives into the MacBooks and did the rest of the installs of Linux. I had refurbished the MacBooks and cleaned up the fans and cooling system and made sure all of the screws were into the right places and the DVDs were able to go in and out of the slots. everything worked fine except the webcams. Working on that.

[coder123]

@MintBean

Of those brands the only one I heard of is Dell but to hear they're doing that.


@Tomgin5

Sorry I should have specified. I meant aside from MacBooks as well but that's cool that Linux has the drivers to run on that hardware.

Even after doing some more googling it seems like the only for sure way to get a cheap laptop that's not windows is to get a chromebook. I'm not hating on chromebook I just wanted be certain even after asking you guys that for the most part that's still the only way. I'm very happy the google came out with chromebooks as a way to get a cheap laptop that's not windows.

[jimallyn]

I read somewhere recently of somebody buying a new laptop with only DOS on it, which of course got replaced with Linux. But he didn't mention where he got said laptop, and I failed to bookmark the page, so can't be of much help. But apparently there is somebody who sells laptops with DOS on them.

[Jaydemir]

Aside from Chromebooks has anyone been able to find laptops that didn't have Windows preloaded onto them? Also has anyone here loaded Mint onto a chromebook to replace the ChromeOS? If so, how did it go? Did it all work out driver compatibility ect?

I replaced Chrome OS with Mint on an Acer C720 but the touchpad was just unusable

[DisturbedDragon]

I have an Acer c720 with Mint 17.3 that has the Chrome keyboard and mouse firmware so both work great. Replaced the 16GB SSD with a 128GB SSD in that one. Also have a Samsung Chromebook 3 running Gallium 2.1. This entire distro is made for Chromebooks with the special keyboard and mouse firmware. No other distro I tried would work with the onboard keyboard/mouse. Tried Ubuntu/Debian/openSuse/Kali/Mageia etc.The 16GB SSD cannot be changed on this one so it is / and I used a class 10 128GB micro sdhc for /home. Works outstanding and I get 12 to 14 hours of life.

Neither has a /swap. C720 over two years without issues. CB3 for a couple of months.

[Bolle1961]

In the netherlands you can buy laptops without windows at bto.eu.
Maybe there are a few more, but I don't know them

[coder123]

Thanks for the replies guys. That's crazy about the DOS thing. (I wonder how ancient the hardware was)

[shengchieh]

You're welcome to surf through the long list of retailers in my website (signature). Look at

-> Retailers
-> Linux pre-installed vendors (desktops, servers, laptops, tablets)

Sheng-Chieh

[acerimusdux]

I also have Mint running on an Acer C720, with no problems, other than bluetooth is a bit complicated to get working properly. It took some googling, and following instructions, was a bit of a project, but it works. But I've got the one with the i3 processor, and 32GB drive, 4GB RAM, not the cheapest one, so that makes it all a little easier.

I remember there was a good Archlinux page for this machine which had lots of tips that helped.

One thing to be aware, you should make sure you get an intel based chromebook. You won't be able to run Mint on an arm machine.

If I were doing it over, I'd probably get a little larger model. I like the Asus C300 series design much better. A family member has one, which I've used as a chromebook, which I can't really put linux on. But I'm tempted to get another to try it (will have to research whether there are any issues with that one). Bigger screen, but also much more room for your hands when you are sitting with it in your lap and typing. The C720 just seems less comfortable to me in actual use. But the performance is pretty nice.

[dcrowder]

Every post from somebody with a System76 is very positive. The problem I have with the Linux laptop makers is cost. They are quite pricey. Not saying over-priced, as most have very good specs. I find much more economical to buy from a mainstream manufacturer and rip out Windows and install Linux. I dislike the "Microsoft tax" as it is called, but so it goes.

[DisturbedDragon]

I also have Mint running on an Acer C720, with no problems, other than bluetooth is a bit complicated to get working properly. It took some googling, and following instructions, was a bit of a project, but it works.

Suppose it was the build I used (Coolstar) but BT has not been an issue at all. Also I have the Celeron version of the C720 so the chip could be different. I will say the Samsung CB3 is a much more gratifying experience than the Acer. The Samsung keyboard, mouse and screen are far superior.

[Pierre]

unlike the EU / US - in this country it is more difficult to buy any Non-Windows PCs

but, having said that, it can be done,
in that a Gaming Machine was ordered on eBay and ordered without any Operating System,
so the builder placed FreeDos onto it's HDD, in order to test it.
- that was replaced by LinuxMint, which in turn was replaced by Win-7.
coz Gaming on Linux Systems is limited, when compared to Gaming on Windows Systems.

[kenetics]

I have an Acer c720 with Mint 17.3 that has the Chrome keyboard and mouse firmware so both work great. Replaced the 16GB SSD with a 128GB SSD in that one. Also have a Samsung Chromebook 3 running Gallium 2.1. This entire distro is made for Chromebooks with the special keyboard and mouse firmware. No other distro I tried would work with the onboard keyboard/mouse. Tried Ubuntu/Debian/openSuse/Kali/Mageia etc.The 16GB SSD cannot be changed on this one so it is / and I used a class 10 128GB micro sdhc for /home. Works outstanding and I get 12 to 14 hours of life.

I've read on the Gallium web site that the Samsung CB 3 has problems with the Realtek sound hardware. Does your's work OK? I just bought one recently and am afraid to install Linux on it until the sound problem is fixed.

Ken

[WiltshireJon]

http://www.novatech.co.uk

I couldn't use a Dell at home. For too many years I had to use an obsolete, slow, corporate fleet Dell (D600) that was originally supplied complete with the remains of previous user's lunch in the keyboard. I wouldn't want the Dell logo leering at me now I've left the company. Maybe Dell should rebrand for home use?