[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] The impossible? Buy a laptop WITHOUT Microsoft Windows?

[Rich Moffitt]

Keep in mind that OEMs pay between $15 and $50 for the OEM Windows license,
so the markup for the consumer is negligible in most cases. Framework looks
very good, though it's currently only Intel CPUs and a little more
expensive (but upgradeable, which might make it worth the upfront cost).

At the moment, I think AMD Ryzen is top of the heap for non-Apple options
(at least until Intel Alder Lake). I bought an ASUS Zephyrus G14 (40GB RAM,
1TB SSD, Ryzen 9 5900HS, RTX 3060) earlier this year in anticipation of
chip shortages making a later upgrade potentially impractical. I'm running
Fedora 35 on it and the only thing not working in Linux is the fingerprint
reader.

With regard to Linux compatibility, the model matters, since compatibility
quirks can get in the way. Off the top of my head, Lenovo Legion series and
ASUS ROG have decent support.

-Rich

On Sat, Dec 4, 2021, 8:30 PM <jjrudy1 at comcast.net> wrote:

> That might be an interesting 30 min talk at one of our meetings.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> John
>
>
>
> *From:* LCTG <lctg-bounces+jjrudy1=comcast.net at lists.toku.us> *On Behalf
> Of *Jon Dreyer
> *Sent:* Saturday, December 4, 2021 8:11 PM
> *To:* lctg at lists.toku.us
> *Subject:* Re: [Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] The impossible? Buy a
> laptop WITHOUT Microsoft Windows?
>
>
>
> Coincidentally, I did just that. A few folks recommended that I try a
> Framework <https://frame.work> laptop. I'll write more about it soon but
> I put the "kit" together in about a half hour (most of the time struggling
> with the tiny wifi antenna wires). Easily installed Ubuntu Linux. Now I'm
> in the process of moving my stuff over from my mac. First impressions are
> that it's a great little machine with replaceable parts from reputable
> manufacturers. Fits together nicely.
>
> Mine's kind of insanely tricked out: 64G RAM, 4T SSD. $2636.
>
> --
> Jon "Whole Kit And Ooodles" Dreyer
> Math tutor/Computer science tutor <http://www.passionatelycurious.com>
> www.passionatelycurious.com
>
>
>
> On 2021-12-04 17:37, Steve Isenberg wrote:
>
> Gentlepeople,
>
> Do you know of any place where you can buy one of those really powerful
> systems (like, Intel i7, good graphics, HD display, 500GB SSD, 16GB memory)
> and save money by buying the machine *without* an operating system (like
> Windows)?
>
> I'm thinking of trying to install a Linux release on the machine and try
> it for video editing.  Every place I look bundles the machine with
> Microsoft Windows.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -steve
>
>
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