Getting Netbooks with linux is next to impossible
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| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| tracyanne Jan 22, 2009 2:30 AM EDT |
As some of you may already know, I'm in the process of getting a Linux based computer retail business off the ground. Rang up a wholesaler today to find out about AsusEeePC the 10inch screen variety. They don't stock them with linux, are not even interested in discusiing it and don't give a rats if a retailer wants to buy them. |
| jacog Jan 22, 2009 2:58 AM EDT |
South Africa is the same. Loads of netbooks in stores, but 0 of them running Linux. |
| jdixon Jan 22, 2009 6:52 AM EDT |
TA, have you tried contactng Asus directly? http://au.asus.com/aboutasus.aspx?show=3 |
| tracyanne Jan 22, 2009 7:11 AM EDT |
The bloke says to me "why can't you buy the Windows one, and remove Windows, the license isn't that much". I said "take a look for yourself there's an 8.9 inch one there with Linux and Windows, and the Windows one is $100 more, I'd have to pass that on to my customers". he says "Yes, I suppose you would" obviously not giving a rats. |
| mortenalver Jan 22, 2009 7:49 AM EDT |
Perhaps half a year ago I looked at the Asus and Acer netbooks in a store here in Norway (the store is part of a fairly large chain), and they actually had only the Linux versions (however, I haven't managed to find anyone in Norway selling ordinary laptops with Linux preinstalled). |
| DiBosco Jan 22, 2009 8:32 AM EDT |
Are there no on-line places in Australia that do them? Here in the UK you struggle to find them in the shops, but they are readily available from on-line retailers. |
| tracyanne Jan 22, 2009 8:41 AM EDT |
I've seen them on line retail, I know a bloke in Melbourne who bought one for his business - he preferred Linux over the Windows version (he's not particularly a Linux user, he chose it because for the price he got all the software he wanted, no extra expenditure) - but I'm trying to source them wholesale, so I can sell them retail. |
| tracyanne Jan 22, 2009 9:06 AM EDT |
@jdixon: Asus put me on to the Wholesaler. |
| jdixon Jan 22, 2009 12:10 PM EDT |
> Asus put me on to the Wholesaler. Understood. Well, it was worth a try. :( It's possible you might get some results by moving higher up the chain, but there's no way to be certain. I'm sure you can perform the necessary searches as well as I can, so I'll leave it to you to decide if it's worth the effort or not. |
| TxtEdMacs Jan 22, 2009 12:41 PM EDT |
Is Australian a completely different language? From some of the pithy sayings a good argument might be made that indeed it is. However, my reading of: Quoting: Asus put me on to the Wholesaler. means Asus gave tracyanne a name of a wholesaler. Therefore, a good thing! So why the long, sad face? I fully expect to be told: "You dumba**, in Australian that means ...". But until then, it sounds good to me. Where have I gone wrong? YBT |
| jdixon Jan 22, 2009 12:57 PM EDT |
> ...Asus gave tracyanne a name of a wholesaler... Yes they did. And when TA contacted them, this was the result: > Rang up a wholesaler today to find out about AsusEeePC the 10inch screen variety. They don't stock them with linux, are not even interested in discusiing it and don't give a rats if a retailer wants to buy them. So if she wants to be an Asus Linux reseller, she's going to have to higher up in Asus to find someone to deal with, if she can find anyone at all. |
| montezuma Jan 22, 2009 1:16 PM EDT |
TA, If the bloke in Melbourne can get them (cheaply) retail with linux doesn't that suggest that said retailer is getting them wholesale with linux from somewhere practical (for Australia). If they weren't then the retail linux product would be expensive no? |
| tracyanne Jan 22, 2009 3:55 PM EDT |
@montezuma: There are other wholesalers, I was put onto this one because I'm a new retailer, and was uncertain how much money I'm likely to spend. I have another to try, but I may have to be able to guarantee a certain spend per month. The other thing is the Linux models available may be imported direct from Taiwan, or elsewhere. In point of fact I've seen the Linux versions going for more than the Windows version. It depends on where you look. |
| montezuma Jan 22, 2009 5:27 PM EDT |
TA, Yeah sounds like the volume factor might be important. Some wholesalers might be skeptical about the linux market potential. Presumably the Melbourne retailer also flogs winblows machines as well so has a higher potential volume of sales. |
| alc Jan 22, 2009 6:55 PM EDT |
Tracyanne You might want to take a look at Sylvania.I just got one for my wife and she loves it. http://www.justnetbooks.com/shop.php?c=Sylvania7&n=541966&i=... It would seem that someone would want to deal with you for Linux Netbooks.Maybe just not Asus. |
| tuxchick Jan 22, 2009 7:05 PM EDT |
Quoting: Is Australian a completely different language? My chum from New Zealand always promises to come knock me up. |
| TxtEdMacs Jan 22, 2009 7:11 PM EDT |
jd, I don't believe fully in the concept of Time. There is none in Thermodynamics, none in Statistical Mechanics nor in Quantum Mechanics. Time dependence can be introduced in the latter, however, once done the result is nasty. Now we are by my philosophical qualms pertaining to the concept of time, have you heard of the concept of chronology? Supposedly it is operable in the world we perceive. Operating on that basis your response makes no sense*. Therefore, I am still awaiting an explanation why my translation of Australian was defective. YBT * the description of being blown off the the wholesaler preceded the more upbeat message from Asus. Indeed, you (jd) gave the suggestion to contact Asus directly, after the first description of the negative experience with the wholesaler. |
| tracyanne Jan 22, 2009 9:09 PM EDT |
@TC Kiwis are very strange. You do know why Kiwi farmers wear Gumboots? |
| TxtEdMacs Jan 22, 2009 10:43 PM EDT |
Languages are NOT my forte. Moreover, had I seen Carla's posting prior to my hitting the submit button I would not have sent my note that followed hers. Can't top her one liner. TA, what are Kiwis? An exotic fruit or an animal? Regarding gumboots I think of rubber boots with clips or zippers meant for the Winter snow. But I like the idea of waders better. Those are almost like rubber pants that come up the waist that fly fisherman use to go into flowing steams in search of Trout. With luck not getting wet. I guess I will never speak or even understand Aussie. |
| tracyanne Jan 22, 2009 11:50 PM EDT |
Kiwis: People from New Zealand, that other land down under, home to the likes of SplitEnz and DD Smash of earlier days. . Gumboots: Rubber Boots, particularly useful for walking around in the mud and slush with, also know in other parts as Galoshes |
| montezuma Jan 23, 2009 10:52 AM EDT |
Further (OT) translation: Split Enz (meaning leave New Zealand for the bright lights of Sydney) gave rise to the Finn brothers Neil and Tim. |
| jdixon Jan 23, 2009 11:50 AM EDT |
> Therefore, I am still awaiting an explanation why my translation of Australian was defective. I'd never be one to assume that it was you translation of Australian which was defective. I'd say the defect lies elsewhere. :) > I guess I will never speak or even understand Aussie. It's pretty much pointless for a non Aussie to even try. But there are confusing subdialects of English everywhere, even in the US. |
| tracyanne Jan 23, 2009 6:38 PM EDT |
@JD, no I don't particularly want to be an Asus reseller, I have a line of laptops that I'll be putting IYCC Linux on to. I want to have a line of Netbooks, Asus seem to be the only company, I can find, that are importing them into Aus. @ montezuma SplitEnz were a Kiwi band, they later disbanded, after a very successful career, and the Finn brothers formed Crowded House in Melbourne. |
| tuxchick Jan 23, 2009 6:48 PM EDT |
BTW Tracyanne, best of luck getting your new business going! |
| DiBosco Jan 23, 2009 7:27 PM EDT |
Going somewhat off topic... SplitEnz had one big hit "I got you" which is one of the very few songs bands I've been in have covered (I always preferred to do original songs). I love Neil Finn's voice and think he's a fantastic songwriter. Always thought he was best working with Mitchell Froom producing (up to and including Woodface) but even some of the recent albums he's done have the occasional gem on it. As a Brit, Kiwi is an everyday phrase and it's interesting to find that it's not familiar to Americans. So, tracyanne, why *do* Kiwi farmers wear gumboots? |
| TxtEdMacs Jan 23, 2009 7:54 PM EDT |
DiB...,Quoting:So, tracyanne, why *do* Kiwi farmers wear gumboots? I guess to have something to chew on after a hard day in the fields. |
| ColonelPanik Jan 23, 2009 9:03 PM EDT |
Better not be any sheep in the punchline! |
| tracyanne Jan 23, 2009 10:24 PM EDT |
Whoops sorry CP... But they have to put the back legs somewhere. |
| jdixon Jan 23, 2009 11:03 PM EDT |
> ...to find that it's not familiar to Americans. Not familiar to some Americans. |
| DrDubious Jan 23, 2009 11:14 PM EDT |
I wonder if a campaign of "okay, fine, sell me the Windows(tm) one" followed immediately by installing Linux and pestering the supplier for a refund on the unused Windows(tm) license would nudge the suppliers a bit... |
| tracyanne Jan 23, 2009 11:21 PM EDT |
DrDub, hard to say, but It looks like I can get Netbooks with Linux pre installed from another Asus wholesaler. I'll be replacing the Xandros version with EeeBuntu, which I've been testing and looks really goods, both from the visual aspect and the Aussie slang aspect.. meaning I'm impressed with how well it works and how easy it is to use. Or Mandriva Mini, if I can get an OEM account with Mandriva, or, if I it looks like I can get a nice Netbooky install of IYCC going, I'll use that, as the set up will be a hands free install and configuration. |
| caitlyn Jan 24, 2009 5:14 PM EDT |
@alc: Sylvania has dumped Linux (article to follow). They've discontinued the g Netbook (good riddance to bad rubbish) and the g Meso (one on the way now). In future they are only offering the g Magni Elite, and only with Windows :( |
| alc Jan 24, 2009 10:14 PM EDT |
Caitlyn,I'll be looking forward to your article.It's a shame that they would drop Linux from the line-up.So far,it's been a great little machine. |
| azerthoth Jan 25, 2009 4:00 AM EDT |
@TA, I havent tried it, not having the hardware, however Sabayon also has an Eeepc installer. |
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