getting an ubuntu notebook and installing debian 8?
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If you buy an ubuntu notebook, you are not sure if non free ubuntu software is on the computer? You do not know whether it is possible to install debian 8 and make it run if you do not install the non free repository?
Ubuntu includes proprietary firmware blobs, so a computer working with Ubuntu is not a guarantee that it will work with a completely libre OS. I've seen several computers with Intel wireless cards being sold pre-loaded with Ubuntu, for example.
When buying any computing hardware, you must research whether it works with free software. You can start with h-node.org. The ideal procedure is (1) to build a list of all relevant components (usually the main IC manufacturer names and models), then (2) investigate whether each of them works with free software. Start by searching manufacturer name and model concatenated with “linux”, “drivers”, “firmware”, etcetera. Also look in the manufacturer web site and the kernel, X11 and related software documentation. It is unlikely that you will be able to verify that every component works with free software, because manufacturers don't often provide that information and it's not readily available elsewhere so you will have to run some risk that you will not be able to use the full functionality. The most problematic hardware is wireless NICs and graphics controller.
Search about “Intel Active Management Technology” and why it should be avoided (suggestion: start searching this forum).
Consider buying a computer certified to work with free software, like the Libreboot X200, which is probably the best option regarding free software. You will be supporting the development of free software and the reverse engineering effort (See the work done to disable AMT and ME in the X200).
The caveat of trying to do the homework yourself is that if it "works with Linux" it might require a blob that comes with Linux but not with Linux-libre. In a similar vein some devices proudly state that their driver is "open source", yet fail to mention that it is more or less useless without a related proprietary firmware.
One way to find out is boot a live media of a libre operating system and see for yourself. Of course this requires hands on access.
So with these things in mind, it might be easiest to buy something from a vendor that guarantees it works on libre operating systems.
That is right. However, I want to make clear that I didn't suggest to search for “works with Linux” as if it was a magical string (I know that your comment doesn't explicitly says that). My suggestion was “research whether it works with free software”, and I did not give any specific procedure for determining whether the hardware works with free software given the documentation or manufacturer web sites (Like searching for claims that it “works with Linux” or that the driver is “open source”).
Yeah, just trying to make sure that is clear to everybody reading this thread.
If you do not want Gluglug's X200 (the only solution with a free BIOS), the easiest way to go is http://libre.thinkpenguin.com
Everything will work out of the box. Trisquel will even come pre-installed and 25% of the benefits on your command will be donated to the Trisquel project.
If, for some reason, you neither want a ThinkPenguin laptop, then the easy recipe (which does not involve hours of search on the Web) is to buy a computer with an Intel graphical chipset and to assume that the Wifi card will not work, i.e., that you will have to acquire a substitute card or an adapter from http://libre.thinkpenguin.com or http://tehnoetic.com
If you want to substitute the card, *avoid* the following brands that are known to implement DRMs at a hardware level (preventing you from using "unauthorized" peripherals): Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo/IBM, Sony, and Toshiba.
Something more you may want to spend the time checking (for your freedoms, not for compatibility) is whether the Intel processor implements "treacherous computing": vPro, TXT, AMT are the words to search (and hopefully not find) on the page for the processor on http://ark.intel.com
"If you do not want Gluglug's X200 (the only solution with a free BIOS),"
theres are other computers you can run with a libre bios see this page:
http://www.libreboot.org/docs/hcl/index.html#supported_list
That is true. However, as far as I know, the only laptop that is, today, directly sold with LibreBoot is Gluglug's X200. Gluglug proposes a service to install LibreBoot on the other machine you mention (minus the MacBooks) though: http://shop.gluglug.org.uk/product/libreboot-installation-service/
But, of course, one can attempt the installation of LibreBoot by herself.
Dell have ubuntu notebooks for sale. Now they sell a lowpriced inspirion 14 or 15 3000 series. I would install debian 8 on it. Switching the wifi card is minor if the computer accepts atheros card. The computer is only relevant if all other hardware devices are debian compatible.
Dell is one of the companies known for adding digital restriction mechanisms to restrict what wireless cards you can install. So if you get a Dell computer, and the wireless card doesn't work, you may be stuck with a USB adapter. Also, again, there's no guarantee the components they ship work without proprietary software (e.g. firmware blobs); for example, I'm sure many Dell computers shipped with Ubuntu have AMD GPUs, which will not perform well in any completely libre system.
In fact, buying a Dell computer pre-installed with Ubuntu is no more likely to give you a good machine than buying any mainstream computer with Windows on it. The only (very minor) advantage is not having to pay for a copy of Windows, and even that might be moot if you can get a refund for an unactivated copy of Windows (which you sometimes can).
What is the notebook you are buying?
I had this chat with dell sale.
questioner: "Inspiron 14 3000 Series Laptop Ubuntu If I install trisquel os, will all devices, that is graphic card, wifi, etc, work?"
Agent : "Yes , though you may need to redownload the drives for all the features to work ."
questioner: "where do you download trisquel compatible free and open source linux drivers?"
Agent : "you can either download it thru our support site or getting in touch with our technical support to get the drivers."
Agent : "Are you looking to get the Inspiron 14 3000 or do you already have one saved udner your cart ?"
Agent : "Not to rush you , but I just want to check if we're still connected?"
questioner: "do you know about the free software foundation? They approve the use of trisquel 7. I only want to buy the computer in question if I know, that all hardware has foss driver support."
questioner: "In generel if trisquel is supported by a computer's hardware, no further external drivers are required."
Agent : "All our computers are Linux friendly system , though not aware of trisquel 7."
questioner: "Understandeble because trisquel does not have a very many users. However it is important to me to know, that all computer hardware will work in combination with trisquel. If you do not know, will you investigate the matter and send me an email? Ubuntu may"
partly use non free software to get computer hardware to work.
Agent : "Sure thing , I would love to check it with our technical Support department once they are available probably tomorrow . what would be the best email/phone we can reach you at ?"
questioner: "Thank you. You do not have to answer fast, but you must answer correctly. I do not want to buy the computer and find out that some hardware devices will not work in combination with trisquel 7. You may use the email address I am using for this chat."
Agent : "Sure thing i will go ahead and email you once I got the information handy from our technical Support."
Well done, despite the agent saying crazy things like
"Yes , though you may need to redownload the drives for all the features to work ."
I have that laptop. It works without nonfree software (has an Atheros wifi card), although Ethernet doesn't work.
EDIT: Well, actually I have the Inspiron 15 3000
Actually, I think it uses Broadcom, which requires proprietary firmware.
http://www.taringa.net/comunidades/linuxeros-debian/9266886/Problema-Solucionado-Broadcom-BCM43142-Debian-Jessie.html
Unless it works with OpenFWWF (like the BCM 4311 on the HP Compaq 2710p I'm using does).
legimet did the computer have ubuntu installed? I reckon it does not matter because about hardware a windows or ubuntu inspiron 3000 will be the same.
I am considering the inspiron 14 3000 celeron because it sells at 220usd, http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-14-3451-laptop-ubuntu/pd
About compability I assume it makes no difference which cpu you select.
You bought the computer and ethernet and wifi did not work? The rest of the hardware devices do? Then you put in another wifi chip and now wifi works?
Is the computer noisy? Is it easy to access the hdd? Is the display glossy? Would you write a short review on the computer?
I cannot read the language in your link.
No, I got the Inspiron *15* 3000 (a different model), the wifi worked but not ethernet.
According to the link I posted, the Inspiron 14 3000 uses Broadcom, requiring nonfree firmware.
(davidnotcoulthard: that chip uses a different driver)
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