Lenovo lost a customer

[ link: lenovo-drops-linux | tags: thinkpad linux | updated: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 12:50:09 ]

After reading that Lenovo will not install or support the Linux operating system on Slashdot I decided that chances are good my next laptop will not be a black one.

I've been very happy with the IBM ThinkPad line... every thing just worked. Not just for me, but I know many Linux users that felt this same way.

I don't really need them to install Linux on it for me -- although doing so would mean not paying the Windows TAX. Chances are that whatever enterprisey distro they install will not live on the laptop for long. But I want them to test their hardware with Linux on it. Which in the end means that they have to install Linux on it for themselves.

I wanted to let them know that I was displeased so I went to their Contact Lenovo feedback page and wrote this:

I was saddened to hear that Lenovo is dropping support for Linux on
their ThinkPad line of products.  I have purchased a ThinkPad for my
last three laptops and have recommended them to countless individuals in
the Linux community as well as outside.  I was comfortable purchasing
and recommending ThinkPad products not just because they were a solid
product but also because Linux always worked on them.

I am a Linux consultant, I don't run Windows.  I am sad to say that when
my X41 requires a replacement, I will have to look elsewhere for a
laptop.

Regards,
Bart.

update

So it turns out that Lenovo really does care about Linux and the stories reported a few days back have been greatly exaggerated.

Kardonski apparently confused Lenovo's stance on providing licenses for Linux, 
as opposed to providing preloaded versions of the software for customers, Godin 
said. Because different companies use different configurations of Linux on their 
ThinkPad notebooks, Lenovo doesn't provide licenses for the software, he said. 
Customers are responsible for acquiring the license on their own, but Lenovo 
will preinstall the desired configuration on new ThinkPads once the license has 
been obtained.

Seems to me that someone here has no idea what they are talking about... what licenses?

Bart's Blog

/lenovo-drops-linux

About

I am an embedded Linux software developer and consultant operating under Jukie Networks Inc in Ottawa, Canada.

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first post!




Bart Trojanowski
http://www.jukie.net/~bart
bart@jukie.net