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It's really hard to compete in the desktop segment with enthusiast customers as they are more likely to build their own desktop at a better price. Never the les

It's really hard to compete in the desktop segment with enthusiast customers as they are more likely to build their own desktop at a better price. Never the less it presents a great option for people who want open source(freedom) hardware in a complete package. I really hope they continue their open source aspirations with their laptop line as it well be a compelling alternative to the typically macbook dev machine.

dogma1138 8y ago
I don't think they are competing for the same market, they compete for those who don't care about building a PC but still want FOSS software as well as for some business customers. There are plenty of people that are developers or Linux users (e.g. data science) that don't know anything about hardware nor do they care to know anything about it they just want something that works, sure they can spend time "researching" it but why bother? famously even Linus said he doesn't install his own linux distro not that he couldn't but even he would actually need to do some research if he would want to build one completely from scratch. So their target market is essentially the person who would buy a Mac Pro or a dell workstation and if they have good support for theirs both in terms of FOSS software and post purchase hardware support they have a market to sell too. I know people that spend 5-10K on a Dell workstation just to have "official" Linux support and decent onsite service, if these would sell outside of the US they would likely to switch.
- Fomite 8y ago
  This. I bought an expensive machine from Boxx. I could have built it myself. But I didn't for three reasons: 1) I have other work to do. Spending a day tinkering with components instead of writing papers, getting grants, or working on code is not a good use of my time. 2) Ordering a machine is easier in terms of working through university purchasing than ordering parts. 3) If something's broken, I can call someone. All of these have value.
  - P_I_Staker 8y ago
    I'd add to this point, that it's just not interesting to me anymore. I'd get some joy from the act of shopping, and a little from the anticipation of putting things together. Overall, it'd be kinda like doing the dishes though. Ultimately, it'd come down to the cost. If I could save $200-500, forget about it; less and I'd have no problem paying for something high quality.
    - Fomite 8y ago
      Also that. I've built enough computers in my lifetime. Planning what I want, and the cool things that I'll do with it? Sure. Clearing a day of meetings and writing so I can deal with cable management? Meh.
    - dogma1138 8y ago
      In most cases today you won’t even save money if you want to build a one to one clone, sure you can build a comparable machine to the Mac Pro for cheaper but an identical one would actually cost you more.

dogma1138 8y ago

I don't think they are competing for the same market, they compete for those who don't care about building a PC but still want FOSS software as well as for some business customers. There are plenty of people that are developers or Linux users (e.g. data science) that don't know anything about hardware nor do they care to know anything about it they just want something that works, sure they can spend time "researching" it but why bother? famously even Linus said he doesn't install his own linux distro not that he couldn't but even he would actually need to do some research if he would want to build one completely from scratch. So their target market is essentially the person who would buy a Mac Pro or a dell workstation and if they have good support for theirs both in terms of FOSS software and post purchase hardware support they have a market to sell too. I know people that spend 5-10K on a Dell workstation just to have "official" Linux support and decent onsite service, if these would sell outside of the US they would likely to switch.

Fomite 8y ago
This. I bought an expensive machine from Boxx. I could have built it myself. But I didn't for three reasons: 1) I have other work to do. Spending a day tinkering with components instead of writing papers, getting grants, or working on code is not a good use of my time. 2) Ordering a machine is easier in terms of working through university purchasing than ordering parts. 3) If something's broken, I can call someone. All of these have value.
- P_I_Staker 8y ago
  I'd add to this point, that it's just not interesting to me anymore. I'd get some joy from the act of shopping, and a little from the anticipation of putting things together. Overall, it'd be kinda like doing the dishes though. Ultimately, it'd come down to the cost. If I could save $200-500, forget about it; less and I'd have no problem paying for something high quality.
  - Fomite 8y ago
    Also that. I've built enough computers in my lifetime. Planning what I want, and the cool things that I'll do with it? Sure. Clearing a day of meetings and writing so I can deal with cable management? Meh.
  - dogma1138 8y ago
    In most cases today you won’t even save money if you want to build a one to one clone, sure you can build a comparable machine to the Mac Pro for cheaper but an identical one would actually cost you more.