IBM laptop

[Evan Leibovitch]

Christopher Browne wrote:

>Well, the modern problem iis that IBM no longer sells laptops.
>
>They sold the laptop division (possibly the whole "PC Division") to Lenovo.
>
>That doesn't bode particularly well for Linux support;
>
I'm not sure why you would say this. Upon what is based the assumption
that Lenovo is less interested in Linux than IBM?

IBM never publicly offered a desktop or laptop PC without the Microsoft
tax; its high-end models wouldn't even give you the option of the
less-expensive XP Home. Most specialized Thinkpad support for Linux was
developed by the community, not IBM. Significant proprietary software
add-ons such as the "Access IBM" help system were never made available
for Linux. My support calls were always met by polite reminders that
official Linux Thinkpad support has never existed. Arguably community
interest due to the large market share of Thinkpads has as much to do
with their level of Linux support as anything IBM did. I subscribe to
the linux-on-thinkpad mailing list; the only postings from ibm.com are
"so-and-so is out of the office".

OTOH, Lenovo's primary market (before buying the IBM PC biz) and home
base is a country in which a third of the desktops already run Linux,
and in which Linux cellphones are not uncommon.

Given these observations, I am curious to know specifically what
existing Linux support is considered to be at risk due to the Lenovo
acquisition. If anything, I see a potential of _increased_ support. 
Maybe a Linux pre-load or at least a no-OS option. Heck, *any* official
support is increased support.

IBM's done many great things for Linux. But that's no reason to engage
in FUD about Lenovo.

- Evan

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