New affordable 14-inch Vostro 1014 w/ Ubuntu introduced (first in Asia)

[misGnomer]

I think I've stumbled upon a new Dell Vostro model 1014(-N) with Ubuntu Linux preloaded.

It is already listed under the corporate Vostro lineup (http://www.dell.com/us/en/corp/notebooks/vostronb/cp.aspx?refid=vostronb) with its own Overview and Tech Specs page (http://www.dell.com/us/en/corp/notebooks/laptop-vostro-1014/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-vostro-1014), but no price yet for the US market.

However some googling revealed that it is already priced for the Hong Kong market (http://www1.ap.dell.com/hk/en/business/vostronb/laptop-vostro-1014/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-vostro-1014&s=bsd&cs=hkbsd1) and the base model (no customization allowed apart from the lid colour although pricier pre-configured models are also available) goes for the equivalent of just under US$400.


Configuration

Obsidian black panel cover
Intel(R) Celeron(R) 900 Processor,2.2Ghz, 800Mhz, 1M L2 Cache
Ubuntu Linux (FI)
14.0 inch Wide Display HD (1366 x 768) TrueLife
Bezel with Camera for N-series
1GB (1x1) 800MHz Dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM Memory
160GB SATA HDD, 5400rpm
8X DVD/RW Optical Drive for N-series
Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500MHD
4-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
65W AC Adapter
Dell WLAN 1397 (802.11b/g) Mini-Card


Also Includes

1 Yr Next Business Day Onsite Service
Vostro 1014 System Chassis(Configration1)
NB-OS-CTO handling & insurance charges(HK)-XPR
Internal T-Chinese Keyboard
Shippment box Color
Directship Info Mod
System Driver for Vostro 1014
ExpressCard Slot, (DOES NOT SUPPORT PC CARDS)
Notebook Batteries Carry One Year Warranty Only From Invoice

[hetx]

Always impressive what you can get a laptop for when you don't have to pay the Windows tax.

[mikewhatever]

Impressive indeed, just wait to see Dell offering the same model with Vista for 300$.

[misGnomer]

Well the Vostro 1014 now shows prices in Dell's Singaporean site (http://www1.ap.dell.com/sg/en/business/vostronb/laptop-vostro-1014/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-vostro-1014&s=bsd&cs=sgbsd1) and the same base model goes for SG$799, or US$553. And that is with MS vista; there's no Ubuntu preloaded version at the moment.

Maybe they will also use coupon tricks in Singapore to sell MS-ware like in the US, but at least the list price for the vista-encumbered ("home basic") model is about US$155 more in Singapore than the Ubuntu version in Hong Kong. There are no prices yet for other markets.

Dell India now has listing for it too, although there's no pricing yet. (http://www1.ap.dell.com/in/en/business/notebooks/laptop-vostro-1014/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-vostro-1014&s=bsd&cs=inbsd1)

If the ~US$400 pricing (with some tax and import duty variation) for the base model applies across markets, these 14-inchers might be quite an attractive option as preloaded and fully supported Linux / Ubuntu laptops.

One question though: Since they are sold under the Vostro label and listed as offerings for the small/medium businesses and corporations, can individual customers still order them?