Dell Ships Ubuntu 7.04 PCs Today 422
javipas writes "Today by 4:00 PM CST Dell will start selling three machines with Ubuntu 7.04 pre-installed. The two desktops (XPS 410n, $899 and Dimension E520n, $599) and the notebook (Inspiron E1505n, $599) will be the first three machines with the popular Linux distribution installed by default. There is little or no price differential between the Linux and Windows models; in fact, the entry level E520 Windows desktop is cheaper. Dell has announced that they will provide hardware support, and they've created a new site devoted to giving further Linux support and updates. At the moment the offer is only available in the US."
Of course entry-level windows is cheaper... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Typical (Score:5, Insightful)
OK fanboys... (Score:5, Insightful)
.. you've been asking for this for, let me think, for ever.
It's time to stop your moaning! And time to start your credit cards!!
Put your money where your mouth is :-)
monk.e.boy
Re:Of course entry-level windows is cheaper... (Score:4, Insightful)
One would initially think that only those who know linux will buy one of these with Kubuntu on it, but as more techs convince family and friends to buy them, support costs will rise.
I've never bought a brand-new laptop because I don't really need one, and it's always been a hassle to guarantee Linux will work on it, before I buy it. For only $600 though, I'm seriously considering one of these. It'll depend on specs and if they sell out too quickly. We'll see.
What they fail to mention (Score:1, Insightful)
Mod parent up; not a troll. (Score:5, Insightful)
3rd party software (Score:5, Insightful)
It makes perfect sense (Score:5, Insightful)
Now, I don't know how much Dell pay for a vista license, and I don't suppose we will be finding out any time soon, but if it's less than $50 dollars (which would not be a shock) then the Linux machines being more expensive makes sense. If I had to guess though, I think they will probably sell for the same price as the Windows machines.
Re:What they fail to mention (Score:3, Insightful)
Some day I hope they get there, but that day is not today.
Re:Inspirons (Score:4, Insightful)
And I'll be laughing at you when I buy a better-quality used laptop for $300-400 and install Ubuntu on it.
-b.
Re:What they fail to mention (Score:4, Insightful)
Not everyone does professional-quality PAPER graphic design. For most Web work, GIMP is just fine.
-b.
I would have thought... (Score:1, Insightful)
I wonder what discount could be had if there was a 'no support' option? I can't see regular home users queuing up to buy something they are unfamiliar with if the price is the same.
Re:Of course entry-level windows is cheaper... (Score:3, Insightful)
Microsoft doesn't pay a subsidy. That's ridiculous. Windows is cheaper for Dell as the support infrastructure is already there, and has been there for years and years. A new OS on their line means they obviously have to spend more in getting more staff/callcentres/training/etc. to support it, hence the increased price. It wouldn't make much sense for them to charge non-Ubuntu users for this cost, as that would raise the prices of other lines for no apparent reason. Open source is anything but free all the time, but please don't let reality spoil your fun. Whatever gets you through the night, buddy.
Then I'd prefer... (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:I would have thought... (Score:5, Insightful)
Well, tell ya what - I want Ubuntu, I want it on a laptop, and I think I'm clued up enough (been running linux for years; two Slackware servers and an Ubuntu desktop at home; I switched my work-machine from Windows to Ubuntu and then wrote a guide that nine other colleagues used to do the same).
I'm pretty confident that I've got the skills to buy the Windows machine from Dell, and switch it myself (though no, I wouldn't dual-boot, I have no use for Windows on it). I could probably find the right drivers for the GoofyCool wireless card, get the sleep function working, etc, etc, etc. As I said elsewhere, I've even got the money. So why don't I? To be honest, I really don't have the time. Married, kids, full-time job, plus other responsibilities. Something else would have to suffer - something that (and here I put my geek-card at risk) frankly, is more important than a new toy.
I don't want to shell out a grand or whatever and then have to spend time I don't have to turn the machine into what I actually needed in the first place. There is a time I would have, and would have relished the chance - but that time is long passed.
I'm a reasonably sophisticated Linux user, and even a Linux advocate - but in this case - I'm primarily a consumer with a need and the willingness to pay for it. The guy who offers to fulfill that need, gets the cash.
Re:Inspirons (Score:3, Insightful)
People are funny -- they'll think: isn't that the OS that they put on cheap crappy computers? A lot of people don't differentiate the computer hardware from the OS -- they think of computers as Windows, Macs, or Linuxes.
-b.
Re:Typical (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Inspirons (Score:2, Insightful)
I agree, I will not be buying any of these, computers because I do not live in the US. However, I really hope this is a big success and leads to Dell spreading there offers to other models and countries.
Remember, not only does this mean it is easier for new users to have a computer running Linux/ubuntu/GNU/whatever because they know the hardware will be supported and they don't have to install it etc etc etc. It will also mean more extensive hardware support in Linux because hardware manufacturers will have more incentive to create (hopefully unrestricted/free) drivers for their products.
Linux laptop is $100 cheaper than the windows one (Score:3, Insightful)
Furthermore, I believe the default config will have integrated video (which has open sourced drivers). You will probably have the option to upgrade to an nvidia card. (But the specs aren't official yet, so this is speculation based on what had been on Dell's wiki & official statements they've made saying they'll use F/OSS drivers.)
Re:Inspirons (Score:3, Insightful)
Besides, I've found that the useful life of most laptops is about 3-4 years. After that they start to either have battery issues, Power Adapter problems, loose or sticky lid hinges, worn keys, cracked frames and other component problems that require either repair or costly replacement parts. Not to mention you usually end up immediately investing money in RAM upgrades, as they are always under-RAMmed. You are basically at a point of diminishing returns with older machines like that. You end up paying out as much money to keep the older, slower, worn-out machine going as you would have if you had just ponied up the extra $200 - $300 for a low-end new one with a full warranty and support.
Old machines are fine as free hand-me-downs or when bought in large quantities where a few units can be parts-scavenged to repair other ones, but buying new is almost always the better way to go. Now that Dell is giving us the option for brand new with Linux, there really isn't any excuse other than penny-wise pound-foolishness.
Re:Typical (Score:3, Insightful)
Oh, puhleeeze... (Score:3, Insightful)
Dell is geared up with the kind of manufacturing capacity to supply systems to Wal-Mart at the ridiculously low prices they demand. Landing a huge sales channel like this is hardly desperation on Dell's part. This is a win for both companies. Maybe even for those of us who buy systems, too.
Re:Of course entry-level windows is cheaper... (Score:3, Insightful)
Dell: Dell support, what seems to be the problem?
User: My Dell PC is broken. When I turn it on, the screen goes all squiggly.
Dell: Ok, You will need to have your recovery disk. Do you have that?
User: Hold on...(sound of shuffling boxes, calling to spouse asking where the box is, etc.)...Yeah, here it is.
Dell: Ok, put it in your DVD drive, and reboot the computer.
User: This isn't going to erase my files will it?
Dell: No, it will just let us know if it is the hardware or the software.
User: Ok... It's loading... HEY!!! It's working! Thanks!
Dell: Hold on, that is just the liveCD, it is running off of the CD, so it will be really slow. You are going to need to do a reinstall.
User: Oh... Does that mean I will lose all of my files?
Dell: No, the liveCD is much slower than running from the hard disk but it will allow you to copy your files to another drive. You could use a USB flash drive, or a SD card.
User: Can I burn it to a CD?
Dell: No, since the operating system is running off the CD, you can't use it at the same time to burn.
User: Oh... Thank makes sense. Ok. Well, I guess I'll go buy a USB drive. Thanks!
Re:Typical (Score:3, Insightful)
Initially, perhaps. Overall, no. Reason: Security.
What price do you want to put on peoples bank accounts, credit cards, ss#, etc?
One piece of malware and that initial savings turns into a vastly expensive liability.
Phishing is bad enough. Windows helps fill in the gaps.
Re:Typical (Score:5, Insightful)
1) Dell doesn't pay the retail cost for Windows.
2) Dell defrays the cost of each PC with the additional software (aka "crapware") that vendors pay to have pre-installed on dell PCs. At the moment, the version of Ubuntu sold with Dell PCs does not include such software...so you are buying a clean PC. Thus, the price comparison noted in the original article is inappropriate. Instead, one should compare the cost of the new Dell Ubuntu models with the cost of their equivalent Windows versions with the dell "clean PC" option...which adds additional expense to the Windows PC.
3) Dell must defray a range of costs associated with these new models, including additional work with OEM vendors for drivers, building a Linux-centric support site, and providing Linux OS phone support...at least with regards to how it relates to the hardware.
4) Most people who will buy one of these models with Ubuntu will most likely not do so to save money. Thus, Dell does not need to offer deep discounts...and this is a free market.
Re:Inspirons (Score:1, Insightful)
Crapware reabate argument is bogus (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:What's the point? (Score:3, Insightful)
The ability to buy freedom for +$0-$100 more than the alternative, and invest in potentially a positive feedback loop of more and more vendors attempting to make Dell buy their components, thereby improving linux compatibility across the field?
Craplet funded Windows (Score:3, Insightful)
Therefore, there is business case for MS to give away craplet-infested Windows install disks.
I don't know whether to be amused, intrigued, or run screaming in horror.