Dell Ubuntu

[Alexa Stott]

My friend just sent me the link to this page. It looks like Dells are going to be available with Ubuntu pre-loaded, meaning that all the problems people have had with drivers and such will no longer be much of a problem.

Also, since you're not paying for the OS, does that meant the computers will be at least *slightly* cheaper?

Either way, as an Ubuntu user and Dell owner, I am immensely happy about this.

[whytheheckme]

YAY!!!!!!!!

NO MORE M$ REQUIREMENT FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER!!!!

Finally, people have a choice as to weather or not they want to pay for M$'s os. We will now start to see $100 computers on the market... very soon.

Jacob

[artdutra04]

I still find it ironic that this appears on Dell's Ubuntu page right above the "Coming Soon" graphic:

Originally Posted by www.dell.com/ubuntu

Dell recommends Windows Vista™ Home Premium.

[Schnabel]

I think that is because M$ is not too happy about it. Something about a lawsuit I think is what I heard. But still, that is really cool!

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Schnabel

I think that is because M$ is not too happy about it. Something about a lawsuit I think is what I heard. But still, that is really cool!

Or Microsoft pays for that position.

Atlanta Braves recommend Coke.
Dell recommends Vista.

[John Gutmann]

Originally Posted by Schnabel

I think that is because M$ is not too happy about it. Something about a lawsuit I think is what I heard. But still, that is really cool!

Unless Dell signed a contract saying they can only distribute M$ OS's on their systems.....then no....I highly doubt it.

-John

[whytheheckme]

Originally Posted by John Gutmann

Unless Dell signed a contract saying they can only distribute M$ OS's on their systems.....then no....I highly doubt it.

-John

Don't Doubt this!

Check this out:

http://news.com.com/2100-1014_3-6153904.html

This was MONTHS ago...
And Dell backed down to M$

Jacob

[Mike Schroeder]

Originally Posted by http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/ubuntu?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Dell cannot be responsible for pricing or other errors, and reserves the right to cancel orders arising from such errors.

thats like someone buying a car and the dealer saying we can't guarantee it will start

[shawger]

I can't wait to see how Ubuntu's bug-handling system will handle this new influx of users. Dell obviously won't be supporting Ubuntu, which means that
a) There will be a massive increase of dumb posts on the Ubuntu forums (not that there isn't a lot already!)
b) Ubuntu will start to have a lot of bugs filled which may or may not be actual bugs. Either way, this will pile up a lot of work for the developers.
c) Combination of a + b
d) Users will try out Ubuntu, do something stupid or fall into one of Ubuntu's inadequacies, and determine that Linux sucks.

I definitely view this as a positive move on Dell's part, I'm just wondering if Ubuntu is really ready to take on the challenge that a whole bunch of new users will represent. If they can meet the challenge, then desktop Linux will have moved forward in a big way.

[JoeXIII'007]

Originally Posted by shawger

I can't wait to see how Ubuntu's bug-handling system will handle this new influx of users. Dell obviously won't be supporting Ubuntu, which means that
a) There will be a massive increase of dumb posts on the Ubuntu forums (not that there isn't a lot already!)
b) Ubuntu will start to have a lot of bugs filled which may or may not be actual bugs. Either way, this will pile up a lot of work for the developers.
c) Combination of a + b
d) Users will try out Ubuntu, do something stupid or fall into one of Ubuntu's inadequacies, and determine that Linux sucks.

I definitely view this as a positive move on Dell's part, I'm just wondering if Ubuntu is really ready to take on the challenge that a whole bunch of new users will represent. If they can meet the challenge, then desktop Linux will have moved forward in a big way.

I somewhat doubt your a b c and d thing, because I have a feeling Dell will package a CD with every ubuntu computer they sell, offering a user-friendly program to deal with issues, OR they will have figured out a system to be certain that every ubuntu customer gets what they want, so when they get the PC, its just plug and play, no issues. My experience with Ubuntu has been 1.) got an issue or demand of something, 2.) find a fix or a source of what I want, 3.) done, and not have to deal with it again (knocks wood). This is probably what Dell will do for the average consumer (for the sake of good customer service).

As far as the whole Dell and Ubuntu deal is concerned, being a user of Ubuntu since last November, I think I might be convinced to get a new laptop, or PC for the home from Dell. I think I'll try and get my mom and dad to get one as well.

Short: very cool.

[shawger]

But there are some things Dell will never be able to provide for Ubuntu, even if they actually support it. For example, Microsoft Office will not run on Ubuntu. Ok, use openoffice. The problem is that openoffice isn't Microsoft Office and isn't fully compatible or even as functional. The same goes for Photoshop, and all the other mainstream Windows applications.

And how many users will go find a fix for whatever problem they have? You or I might, but the average person won't do that for themselves. They'll call Dell and Dell's customer support won't have a clue what they're talking about.

Of course Dell will make sure that the computers are pre-loaded with whatever drivers/settings are required to make the machine run properly the first time. The main issues will occur when people don't see the familiar software names.

[Pat McCarthy]

Hopefully, the Ubuntu laptops will be cheaper than the Windows laptops, I could use a nice cheap lappy.

[whytheheckme]

Originally Posted by Pat McCarthy

Hopefully, the Ubuntu laptops will be cheaper than the Windows laptops, I could use a nice cheap lappy.

EVERYTHING will be cheaper, without that nice hefty M$ price tag on top. Dell's lower models' (desktops) price tags are half (or more!) Windows! Watch out! Cheap computers are soon to come!

Jacob

[Pat McCarthy]

Originally Posted by www.dell.com/ubuntu
Dell recommends Windows Vista™ Home Premium.

That is now gone! Shows how they really think.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by whytheheckme

EVERYTHING will be cheaper, without that nice hefty M$ price tag on top. Dell's lower models' (desktops) price tags are half (or more!) Windows! Watch out! Cheap computers are soon to come!

Jacob

Dell's cheapest (that I could find) PC is $359 with Vista Home Basic. The OEM cost of Vista Home Basic (from newegg) is $95, so only about 1/4 of the cost. However, Dell sells in much higher volume and would get windows for a much better price then you can buy on newegg. Also, Dell bundles many applications with their PCs. Each company probably pays Dell to bundle their program, otherwise Dell wouldn't do it.

Overall, I bet it costs Dell nothing for Windows.

It's unlikely that Dell could get any money for bundling applications with Linux. They also have to spend a significant amount of time and money in testing and all the other facets of starting to install Linux.

I doubt that when they do start shipping Linux PCs, they will be any cheaper then Windows PCs and quite possibly be more expensive.


(typed on a Dell Laptop running Ubuntu)