[clue-talk] Need new Laptop, Turnkey OS, or easy OS install

[Greg Knaddison]

On 12/19/05, Matt Gushee <matt at gushee.net> wrote:
> rex evans wrote:
>
> > I want to experiment with Open Source
> > math calculations, simulation, opengl,
> > and simple data-base stuff.
>
> Any distribution ought to be fine for this. I'm not aware of a
> distribution specialized for scientific applications. Such a thing may
> well exist, but if there are any laptops that have it preinstalled,
> they're probably the premium-priced ones you want to avoid.
>

Well,  there's https://www.scientificlinux.org/  not sure how suitable
it is, but it sprung to mind.

I agree with Matt's advice on laptops.  You're unlikely to find it
preloaded and if you do it will be on a limited selection for only a
slight amount less than MSWindows.  Most OEMs will install Novell or
something which has a licensing/support fee limiting the possible
benefit of switching away from the Microsoft Tax.

I believe HP offers laptops with Linux.  Lenovo machines should work,
but maybe not.

If you can wait a month or two, Apple is rumored to have Intel
machines on the way with great power and lower prices - and you get
OSX (BSD based) which "just runs" on the thing.

Greg