No Demand for Linux in the UK? 207
eldavojohn writes "If you're a Linux user in the UK looking for a Linux box, you're not going to get it from Acer. The computer maker has started releasing Linux installed machines in Singapore but cited 'no demand' as a reason for not releasing the same computer with Linux installed in the UK. From the ZDNet article: 'Before the launch of the Acer Aspire in Singapore, there had been no suggestion that any major manufacturer other than Dell was even considering releasing Ubuntu-based products. However, Acer president Gianfranco Lanci did tell Financial Times Deutschland that "the whole [PC] industry is disappointed with Windows Vista". Lanci claimed that Microsoft's new operating system had not boosted PC sales, due to concerns over its stability and overall maturity.'"
Re:Hrm (Score:5, Informative)
Cost of support, you get a person wanting linux but never used it before, get it and everything seems to go wrong and talking to technical support. I am assuming that they don't use global support.
Cost of wearhousing now you need to manage 2 visual idenintal product lines the difference is the data on each system.
Cost of selling systems without Extra Junk installed, all those demo apps the company pays acer to put default on their system.
Trade Policies, sometimes by changing the OS you may need to renegoate your trade policy with other countries.
There are a lot of extra costs and little have to do with Linux but selling a product in an area where there is little demmand.
One UK reseller (Score:3, Informative)
Sell Ubuntu PC's. So, there must be some demand.
Just in case anyone in the UK actually wants a linux PC.
(I'm not affiliated, just found this today while looking for a new laptop)
Re:Maybe... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Very clever (Score:3, Informative)
"Riotous" demand? Do you really think that's going to happen? According to the people who hang out around here, consumer demand for Linux has been about to explode for the past 12 years. The demand isn't there on the hardware retailer side. There's no Microsoft conspiracy. The people who want Linux are going to install it themselves. A lot of them are going to build the computers themselves, too. The slight savings you're seeing on computers released with Linux isn't worth the lesser selection for a lot of the rest of the people still interested in buying a Linux-based computer.
Re:Friends don't let Friends buy Acer (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Hrm (Score:3, Informative)
Maybe there's a bit of irony in the fact that 50% of our mail servers are Acer Altos servers running CentOS 4 or CentOS 5 - OK, fair enough I had to install Linux myself.
It is, however, possible to get some low-end machines with SUSE pre-installed:
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/128595 [ebuyer.com]
"Esys Computer System Celeron 2.66GHZ 512MB 80GB 2MB 16X DVD Rom. Linux"
But this seems more of a means to avoid a "M$ tax", although you do get a passable general desktop for £145 including VAT (no monitor).
Re:huh? (Score:4, Informative)
https://www.xephi.co.uk/laptops/ [xephi.co.uk]
Just because ACER says there's no demand doesn't make it true.
Re:Hrm (Score:1, Informative)
So OBVIOUSLY all those Acer PC's that are in Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy Etc magically configure themselves as you tell the sales guy exactly what you need. GET REAL!
Of COURSE Acer warehouses PC's. They are not like Dell, HP etc where you can go onto Acer's Website and Custom build your order. They provide set tiers of laptops to warehouse style resellers. Resellers just like Newegg, Wal-MArt etc. They have done this for as long as they have been in business. You really didnt think that one thru now did you, on your oh-so educated retort.
Re:Friends don't let Friends buy Acer (Score:3, Informative)
So it appears that Dell laptop problems are found much more on the web.