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System76, Linux Hardware for EveryoneLast week at the Ubuntu Developer Summit, I spoke with Carl Richell, co-founder of System76. For years I've been seeking the Nirvana of a company that would ship me professional, high-quality, Linux-only hardware. Various large companies offer half-hearted Linux options. Several sketchy-looking resellers offer brand-name hardware with Linux installed over the top, but it's either a distro I don't want, or it's all old hardware. So, I build my own servers, and have resorted to Mac laptops because I don't have time to get all the pieces working. I stumbled on System76 a couple months ago while doing some hardware research for a friend whose Mac/Gentoo laptop is dying. I had a moment of shock when I first looked at the site, thinking I'd found a Mac reseller. There was the multimedia Mini and the sleek set of black and silver laptops, plus a variety of desktops and servers. Like Apple, they take care to show off the applications available in a practical way: not "here are the 500 text editors available", but "here's how you'll check email, browse the web, edit office documents, watch movies, and manage your music collection". I can send my non-technical friends and relatives to buy computers there without terrifying them. Each machine ships with the needed drivers already installed and the laptops have power management features configured and tested. They're also working to ensure that major third-party peripherals are supported. And, any modifications they make to support their hardware, they contribute back to Ubuntu so the whole community benefits. I know where I'll be buying my next laptop.
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Comments: 14
Mac [15 November 2006 05:01 PM]
The units are ASUS units.
Here is the list of Linux notebook sellers where you can have choice of hardware and distribution:
http://lxer.com/module/db/viewby.php?uid=124&sort=120&option=1&value=on&offset=0&dbn=14
Allison Randal [15 November 2006 06:14 PM]
Hmmm...if you don't immediately see the significant difference between the providers listed on LXer and System76, I probably won't be able to explain it to you. We're talking cultural revolution here. Choosing Linux not because you want to make a political statement, but because it gives you better tools for the job, and is just as easy, approachable, and sexy as the alternatives. We're not quite there yet, but getting close.
retiredbrit [15 November 2006 10:14 PM]
Linuxcertified (http://www.linuxcertified.com/) is another vendor which ships Linux pre-installed boxes. I have been pretty happy with one of their laptops running Fedora Core 5.
huh [16 November 2006 06:55 AM]
Promoting GIMP as a graphics solution for the average pereson? I don't think so.
weirriver [16 November 2006 10:06 AM]
I've had good luck with SW Technology (http://swt.com/). Best prices I've seen on
multi-cpu workstations.
Cheers.
Justin Watt [16 November 2006 10:08 AM]
Allison, at first glance I thought you were arguing in favor of non-commodity hardware, and then I saw the system76 website and was blown away. This is exactly what I've wished IBM/Lenovo would have done for years, offer a laptop with Linux (nowadays Ubuntu) preloaded, tested, complete with drivers etc. I'm with you. My next computer may very well be a system76.
Allison Randal [16 November 2006 12:39 PM]
Exactly! :)
Allison Randal [16 November 2006 12:54 PM]
Really? The GIMP is one of the applications I miss when I'm traveling. I much prefer it to Photoshop. (Sure, I can run it under X11 on my Mac laptop, but it never works as well as on my thoroughly integrated Ubuntu desktop.)
Robin [16 November 2006 03:52 PM]
If you know how to get Gimp working under X11 on MacOS then you’re not an average person :)
Allison Randal [17 November 2006 07:15 AM]
Fink and Darwin Ports are wonderful, ne c'est pas? Though, I confess that it's been a while since I've had time to bother with it. :) You can see why a Linux laptop is appealing.
Michael [17 November 2006 03:27 PM]
Come on. . . as a server solution, the System76 are severely lacking. Look at the lack of SAS and 16GB memory limits. Maybe as an alternative to PCs and laptops, but most of us linux users build our own desktops.
Scott Carpenter [18 November 2006 07:57 AM]
It has seemed to me that system76 is making a statement of sorts in their marketing, and maybe I get that from:
Seems like a statement beyond mere pragmatism. But overall I agree that they are emphasizing practical selling points, as they should, and their web site is very well done.
I'm glad you drew attention to them. I've had my eye on system76 for my next machine and was planning a post about this for tomorrow that I'm now missing out on the opportunity to shamelessly promote with a link today. :-)
Kenytt Avery [18 November 2006 11:46 AM]
Another reason to go with system76 -- their customer service is fantastic.
Mike Linksvayer [27 November 2006 11:32 AM]
I really like what system76 is doing. Their prices aren't really competitive with Dell or HP, but I could deal with paying extra to not have to deal with installation and tweaking. The deal breaker for me is that they don't offer any better than WXGA (1280x800) screens. I've been using WUXGA (1920x1200) and could not downgrade to that extent.
If they offer WUXGA when I'm next in the market for a laptop system76 will be my default choice.