Is Ubuntu pre-installed or...

[Lucifiel]

Is Ubuntu pre-installed on the Dell pcs or do you have install it yourself?

Some guy mentioned that Ubuntu wasn't pre-installed on the Dell pcs in an article and I'm curious: is what he said, really true? If it is, this is disappointing and a major setback. If a computer newbie ever gets his hands on a Dell Ubuntu pc, how the heck is she going to install Linux then?

Here's the article:
http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/3952/dell_what_gives

[aysiu]

The "article" makes no sense.

It says I've got to say I'm quite disappointed in what I've been reading from the reviews (Inspiron E1505 N (http://popey.com/mirror/www.bryceharrington.org/Photos/DellUbuntu/index.html), XPS 410 N (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=2764621#post2764621)) out there. It appears that Dell's new Ubuntu PCs are nothing more than pre-built desktops and laptops with no operating system in place. but the two reviews it links to both say Ubuntu is preinstalled.

From the first review linked: I think I went from cutting open the box to logging in within about 8 minutes (including all the photo taking!) Nice work Dell and Canonical! From the second review linked: I hooked up my gear and powered it on. This machine is remarkably silent. The disk spun up and the Dell BIOS screen appeared. I was required to accept the DELL EULA by pressing "any key" in order to continue the boot process: GRUB flashed it's 2 second warning then the familiar Ubuntu Feisty bootsplash appeared. After a few seconds I was met with a new user wizard set against the default Feisty wallpaper. This wizard asked me to choose a username/password and a timezone. I entered the data appropriately and was then sent to the GDM login. I entered my information and the Ubuntu desktop appeared. The hostname is preset as dell. I think Dell has done a good thing with this system. They obviously made an effort with resolution detection (which was going to be sore no matter what) and did an excellent job of keeping the crapware off the system. If you want a machine that's going to run all the apps you need and do it well, and without having to research endlessly for compatible hardware to make one yourself, this machine is good for you. I have seen nothing that makes this a deal-breaker for the average user...assuming they don't want to enable 3D out of the box. That still takes some skills.

[Lucifiel]

*gasp* You're right!

Eeeks... @_@

I didn't read the 2 reviews it linked to.

[haftan]

Feisty Fawn comes installed on the E1505n laptop.

[twistedtwig]

Not in the UK from what I understand. I think they are only doing this in the US!!!!!!

not happy about that.. fingers crossed it comes across here soon

[Ek0nomik]

Not in the UK from what I understand. I think they are only doing this in the US!!!!!!

not happy about that.. fingers crossed it comes across here soon

Really? Why wouldn't Dell offer the UK computers with Ubuntu installed? Dell isn't actually stationed someone over in Europe are they? They probably build the computers in the U.S. and then ship them overseas, unless I am mistaken?

[aysiu]

Really? Why wouldn't Dell offer the UK computers with Ubuntu installed? Dell isn't actually stationed someone over in Europe are they? They probably build the computers in the U.S. and then ship them overseas, unless I am mistaken?
This is a new initiative and they're just test-driving it in the US first. If they think it's worthwhile to expand the offering, they'll probably open it up to other countries.

[Ek0nomik]

This is a new initiative and they're just test-driving it in the US first. If they think it's worthwhile to expand the offering, they'll probably open it up to other countries.

That just seems odd to me. How does restricting the offer by country benefit them in any way possible? It's not like the support is any more expensive. The customer pays the extra shipping, but get an O/S that they desire.

Seems like an odd restraint to me, unless there is a cost that I can't from the obvious standpoint see.

[drfox]

*How* is Ubuntu pre-installed? Is there one big partition plus a swap, or are there /boot,/,home,and /opt (and maybe /fat32 for sharing with Windows). Without multiple partitions in place, aren't most of us going to have to reformat the drive anyway?

Larry

[phr0ze]

That just seems odd to me. How does restricting the offer by country benefit them in any way possible? It's not like the support is any more expensive. The customer pays the extra shipping, but get an O/S that they desire.

Seems like an odd restraint to me, unless there is a cost that I can't from the obvious standpoint see.

Every company does this. Its called a phased roll out. It helps mitigate unexpected demand and production issues and also allows for major issues to be fixed before it gets too expensive. There are other reasons too but look at these industries...

Movies - Always delayed in other markets. This has got to be easier to ship than computers.
Video Games - Delays here too.
Music - Yep, there are delays and some disks are even only released in certain regions.
Cars - I know some cars can only be had in europe or japan.

Thats all I can think of... but I'm sure there are others. Point is don't blame Dell when this is the standard.

Besides, I'm still waiting for my computer and I ordered mine within 24 hours of release. I sure wouldn't want the Brits making things slower.;) I'm kidding of course. I lived in UK for 3 years and was always frustrated by the extra wait times on movies. I sure miss the sweet popcorn in the theaters though. In the US they only have butter and salt.

[Ek0nomik]

Every company does this. Its called a phased roll out. It helps mitigate unexpected demand and production issues and also allows for major issues to be fixed before it gets too expensive. There are other reasons too but look at these industries...

Movies - Always delayed in other markets. This has got to be easier to ship than computers.
Video Games - Delays here too.
Music - Yep, there are delays and some disks are even only released in certain regions.
Cars - I know some cars can only be had in europe or japan.

Thats all I can think of... but I'm sure there are others. Point is don't blame Dell when this is the standard.

Besides, I'm still waiting for my computer and I ordered mine within 24 hours of release. I sure wouldn't want the Brits making things slower.;) I'm kidding of course. I lived in UK for 3 years and was always frustrated by the extra wait times on movies. I sure miss the sweet popcorn in the theaters though. In the US they only have butter and salt.

Well, I guess I could be unsatisfied forever. ;)

I understand what you said, and it does make sense. However, there are always issues that need to be fixed in the computer world, and most of these issues are being handled on a forum anyways. Also, if Dell is good, they can turn unexpected demand into good public relations. :)

[HotShotDJ]

*How* is Ubuntu pre-installed? Is there one big partition plus a swap, or are there /boot,/,home,and /opt (and maybe /fat32 for sharing with Windows). Without multiple partitions in place, aren't most of us going to have to reformat the drive anyway?

Larry
Here (http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_7.04/Default_Partitions) is the information (its been on Dell's site for at least a week). It looks reasonable to me. I'd prefer a separate /home directory. Easy to take care of using gparted (http://gparted.sourceforge.net).

[PriceChild]

Here (http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_7.04/Default_Partitions) is the information (its been on Dell's site for at least a week). It looks reasonable to me. I'd prefer a separate /home directory. Easy to take care of using gparted (http://gparted.sourceforge.net).But how is Dell meant to "guess" how much space your / and /home will need :)

One partition is the safest option here :)

If you want/know how to make a separate home then do it :)

[oiler920]

*How* is Ubuntu pre-installed? Is there one big partition plus a swap, or are there /boot,/,home,and /opt (and maybe /fat32 for sharing with Windows). Without multiple partitions in place, aren't most of us going to have to reformat the drive anyway?

Larry

Nope. It's very oddly partitioned. I saw a pic of some guy's Dell partitioning, but forgot where it was. They had a swap partition, the Ubuntu partition, a DOS partition (for recovery), and some other REALLY tiny partitions like 400mb. If I can find the pic again, I'll post it. :)

EDIT: Oh, and the Ubuntu partition isn't split up. The entire OS is on one big partition.