Re: [tlug] buy a Linux or OS-free laptop in Tokyo

[Edmund Edgar <lists@example.com>]

Some people see this as a matter of principle, in which case fair
enough, but if you're just looking at getting the most computer for
your money you may well be better off looking on kakaku.com for the
cheapest regular Windows-pre-installed laptop that meets your needs,
then wiping Windows off it and installing The Linux yourself.

For example, here are some very reasonably-priced Thinkpads, which
should provide a straightforward and faffing-free Ubuntu desktop
experience. (*)
http://kakaku.com/search_results/thinkpad/?category=0001%2C0004&c=0&act=Sort&sort=priceb

OS-free or Linux-pre-installed notebooks are a bit of an niche, and
the OEM doesn't get to load them up with all kinds of little
advertising icons and anti-virus one-month free trials, so they're not
necessarily cheaper, despite avoiding the Microsoft tax.

* Just in case you were wondering, although they come with Windows
Vista pre-installed, you shouldn't attempt to actually use Vista on
those lower-end Thinkpads - they're much too slow...

Edmund Edgar