Ubuntu on retail Dell computers

[Modax42]

If I buy a dell computer with windows from a retail store, and I install Ubuntu on it, is it possible to download the Dell Ubuntu drivers that come with preinstalled Ubuntu dell systems of the same model? I'm thinking about a retail M1330.

[NE Key]

Why buy the computer with windows installed ?

It is more expensive than the same model with ubuntu .

[mahughesnh]

I think the best reason to buy one with Ubuntu pre-installed is that you can be almost positive that all the hardware will work upon startup.

If you buy the retail model it will, most likely, come with a Broadcom wireless adapter. While you can make it work with Ubuntu, it is to me a needless level of complexity that you would have to face again if for some reason you have to reinstall Ubuntu or any other Linux distribution. I just consider it better to have an adpater that works out of the box.

If it were me and I had to have the retail model, I would pay extra to have them install an Intel wireless adapter because I know it will just work out of the box with either Windows or Linux.

[Modax42]

Why buy the computer with windows installed ?

It is more expensive than the same model with ubuntu .

Hell no. At least here in Canada, retail outlets have vastly better prices.

Check this out. This is a Dell (vista) laptop from the retail outlet Future Shop (Canadian Best Buy) http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10100374&catid= With a 3 year service plan is C$1448

On the Dell Canada website, a laptop (preinstalled with ubuntu) with essentially the same spec (actually smaller HDD) and 3 year coverage costs C$1702

That's a $254 difference. Its ironic because even though Ubuntu is free that doesn't mean you're going to pay less! So this is why I'm asking about installing Ubuntu on a retail Dell.

[Modax42]

I think the best reason to buy one with Ubuntu pre-installed is that you can be almost positive that all the hardware will work upon startup.

If you buy the retail model it will, most likely, come with a Broadcom wireless adapter. While you can make it work with Ubuntu, it is to me a needless level of complexity that you would have to face again if for some reason you have to reinstall Ubuntu or any other Linux distribution. I just consider it better to have an adpater that works out of the box.

If it were me and I had to have the retail model, I would pay extra to have them install an Intel wireless adapter because I know it will just work out of the box with either Windows or Linux.

I'll have to ask them about that. Their website also says the 1330 comes with a SigmaTel STAC9228 (whatever that is) audio chipset. Does Ubuntu have drivers for that? I'll ask them about replacing that part too. Installing these parts would probably cancel out the price differential I talked about in my last post. :frown: At least you get the instant gratification of walking out of the store with a laptop under your arm, instead of having to wait 3 weeks for UPS to show up. :lolflag:

[mahughesnh]

I'm not sure about the Sigmatel sound. You might do a search here to see if there are any issues with it. I have a 1525, not the M1330. I know there have been threads about sound on the XPS models, but since I don't have one it has not been something I follow.

You don't have to get an Intel wireless card, I just suggest it. I always try to keep things simple. You certainly can configure a Broadcom card to work. Many people have done it and there are any number of tutorials on this forum that will show you how to do it and it is not really difficult. Just keep in mind that if you have to reinstall Ubuntu or want to try another distro, it is a procedure you will have to do again. My suggestion was just based on personal preference. If the price point is more of a consideration for you I can certainly understand that! My old laptop was a D600 that came with a Broadcom card. I bought an Intel card on ebay for about $12 and never had to configure it again.

Oh boy, do I understand the draw of immediate gratification! Plus the frustration of having to wait if you order direct from Dell. Almost as bad as dealing with their tech support!!

Mike

[jbloodwo]

I also understand the instant gratification bit, as i have a Dell mini on order. I really really want the bloody thing. However I did order with Linux preinstalled even though there is almost a one month delay in gratification. I will say what any others in this and other forums. Whenever possible, if you are wanting a linux based system and can order one from the factory then order it with linux. Sadly at this tie you might pay a bit more however you are sending the message that however small the market, there is infact a market for linux preinstalls.

[mahughesnh]

It is a shame that Dell doesn't give you more options for the Ubuntu laptops.

When I was ordering mine, I initially went for the 1525n. But it comes with only the Intel 3945 wifi card. I really wanted to get the 4965 wireless N card and it is only available as an option on the Windows Vista version. I already have a wireless N router so I wanted a compatible card. So I was forced to buy the Vista in order to get it.

I booted it with Vista to make sure everything worked, then restarted it with the Dell Ubuntu disc. Installation went perfectly and everything works.

Mike

[mike1234]

If I buy a dell computer with windows from a retail store, and I install Ubuntu on it, is it possible to download the Dell Ubuntu drivers that come with preinstalled Ubuntu dell systems of the same model? I'm thinking about a retail M1330.

I believe you could. I have a Poweredge server that came without an OS. I log into my account at Dell.com and look for bios updates, etc. I have downloaded several. I guess it just depends on your model, what's available, etc. Unless you get some funky wireless or onboard Intel audio, most of what you need is in Ubu repos.

M.

[rlwilen]

If I buy a dell computer with windows from a retail store, and I install Ubuntu on it, is it possible to download the Dell Ubuntu drivers that come with preinstalled Ubuntu dell systems of the same model? I'm thinking about a retail M1330.
this is richard when you install Ubuntu you won't need to install much driver because linux is smart and fine realy fast most of what you need as drivers is in linux all ready so don't wory well I hope i help you and if you need more help more please reply back and try to help you more thank you

[wgarider]

If I buy a dell computer with windows from a retail store, and I install Ubuntu on it, is it possible to download the Dell Ubuntu drivers that come with preinstalled Ubuntu dell systems of the same model? I'm thinking about a retail M1330.

If you're interested....
I got a 1525 at Best Buy - it came with Vista Home Premium? and was about $100 cheaper than the 1525 that you could buy online, preinstalled with Ubuntu. I downloaded the Dell Ubunutu 8.04.1 ISO and installed. I run Vista in a VM inside VMWare Player.....

[Modax42]

this is richard when you install Ubuntu you won't need to install much driver because linux is smart and fine realy fast most of what you need as drivers is in linux all ready so don't wory well I hope i help you and if you need more help more please reply back and try to help you more thank you

Thank you. I found this out first hand when I decided to show Ubuntu to a friend who has an Intel-HP-Vista laptop. On my 2 year old AMD laptop, nothing worked out of the box, and getting the wireless to work required a lot of effort. I thought this experience was typical. Not so. On my friend's laptop, everything worked flawlessly out of the box. Webcam, microphone, 3D acceleration, wireless-n, you name it. I was blown away by how easy it was, and my friend was impressed to. I still haven't decided what kind of laptop to get, though.

[notwen]

Dell generally provides a custom Ubuntu ISO that contains all of the additonal drivers/packages found on their pre-installed Ubuntu machines. You can find it here (http://linux.us.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Ubuntu_8.04#Dell_OS_Factory_Recovery_8.04.1_DVD_IS O). This is the current Hardy image. Hope it helps. =]

EDIT
---
Check the sticky here (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=762770) for more info on Dell's venture into offering Ubuntu.

[roro100]

If I buy a dell computer with windows from a retail store, and I install Ubuntu on it, is it possible to download the Dell Ubuntu drivers that come with preinstalled Ubuntu dell systems of the same model? I'm thinking about a retail M1330.

Modax, I just got my Studio 15 laptop from Dell shipped to me. Time from ordering to delivering was 2 weeks. I wanted to have Vista on it, as I play games and games play better in Vista. And I wanted to have ATI HD3450 graphics card, which Ubuntu laptops did not have. I did not order Ubuntu laptop as I figured I will install Hardy myself and then tweak it and hope and pray that it works. And it did. But not without some minor glitches of course.
I had to upgrade my kernel from .19 to .21 in order to get my Broadcom wireless to connect to WPA enabled router (my case). It couls see other routers in the buildins (my neighbours), and even could connect to them, but not to the secured networks. ATI HD3450 worked after enabling it in restricted drivers. Had some problems with playing video, but after tweaking settings I got it to work. So you can get Dell Studio 15 (1535?) to work for you after following advice from this forum.
This is my spec sheet :

223-78511 Studio 1535, Intel Core 2 Duo T9300, 2.5GHz, 800Mhz, 6M L2 Cache
320-6465 1 Midnight Blue
311-8612 1 4GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
330-0498 1 Back-lit Keyboard
320-6867 1 Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
320-6516 1 ATI MOBILITY RADEON HD 3450
341-6693 1 320G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
420-8566 1 Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Home Premium Edition, English
330-0495 1 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP INSP 1535
420-5769 1 Internet Search and Portal
420-8223 1 Dell Video Chat
463-2282 1 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
420-9100 1 Dell Dock Consumer
420-6436 1 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
420-7622 1 DELL SUPPORT CENTER 2.0
410-1883 1 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
313-6229 1 8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
420-8183 1 Roxio Creator DE 10
330-0496 1 MEDIA DIRECT 4.0 For DVD RW
313-6727 1 Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced HD Software Edition
430-2929 1 Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini Card
320-6653 1 Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
410-1161 1 Network Associates McAfee 9.0 English,15-Month Subscription Automatically renews each yearthereafter
312-0694 1 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
412-0148 1 No Internet Service Provider Requested
420-8051 1 Microsoft Works 9.0, English For Inspiron
950-3337 1 1 Year Limited Warranty
950-9797 1 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
412-0360 1 Soft Contracts - Banctec
960-2780 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
990-5827 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Initial Year
988-3950 1 Type 3- Third Party At HomeService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, Initial Year
988-0099 1 To activate your online backupaccount, go to Start, Programs, DataSafe Online
988-7707 1 2GB DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 FOR SDO/DIM/INS/XPS
420-9518 1 DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 2GB FOR DIM/INS/XPS
330-0171 1 S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forDHS Notebooks
430-2933 1 Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.0)
313-6224 1 Integrated Finger Print Reader
420-8312 1 Finger Print Software
320-6878 1 Glossy, widescreen 15.4 LCD (1280x800) w/ 2.0M pixel Camera
420-8310 1 Creative Camera SW
310-8628 1 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System
330-0717 1 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
* -DISCOUNT/COUPON APPLIED
A1623621 1 V220 Cordless Optical Mouse - Tangerine Orange - Designed for Dell $23.00

[rosj04]

Modax42, I've got a dell XPS M1330 with vista preinstalled. I had no problems setting up dualboot with ubuntu (not using dells versions of ubuntu) and everything worked absolutely fin, the only thing I had to fix myself was to install and configure keytouch to get the multimedia touchbuttons working. so shouldn't be any problems for you if you decide to go for an XPS M1330 :)

[roro100]

Modax42, I've got a dell XPS M1330 with vista preinstalled. I had no problems setting up dualboot with ubuntu (not using dells versions of ubuntu) and everything worked absolutely fin, the only thing I had to fix myself was to install and configure keytouch to get the multimedia touchbuttons working. so shouldn't be any problems for you if you decide to go for an XPS M1330 :)

Rosj, could you tell me how you got the multimedia buttons to work? What did you download? I got my volume buttons to work only, after changing the sound to PCM from Master. But my other buttons like stop, rewind don't work still. Any ideas? Thanks!