the day dell refused to sell a computer

[tripwire45]

I just contacted my Dell Business Rep and he confirmed that Dell does not sell Ubuntu-based machines for business use. He says businesses may purchase machines with "an open-source OS or FreeDOS".

I wonder if this is part of the "buy off" Dell arranged with Microsoft. As long as Dell just sells Ubuntu to home users, it doesn't compete with the Windows corporate desktop market and thus is no real threat.

[erimar77]

The problem also extends into higher education. I must use the Premier website to order and they also do not offer Ubuntu computers.

I've created a Dell Ideastorm page for myself, I propose others should do the same if they wish to push the issue further.

http://www.ideastorm.com/article/sho...ls_for_Premier

[trinaryouroboros]

That's really annoying, isn't it?

cosborn, why don't you get a System76?

I second that notion.

[wh0rd]

This is by far the most ridiculous decision Dell has made. Even when linux gets support, it really doesn't get support. Ubuntu should have alternative competitive vendors, that should straighten Dell out from playing their silly games. I hope HP adopts Ubuntu, in my experience their hardware is so much better for the money.

http://system76.com/

[dhruva023]

never order dell by phone,

i had very bad experience.

the person on the phon was telling me that my discount cupan is invalid. using the same cupan i order my computer through website, it worked great.

[Soybean]

If it makes anyone feel better, Dell did the same thing with Vista when it was released. They wouldn't sell a system with Vista to a business user at first.

Dell is looking at Ubuntu as a way to expand their Linux offerings to home users. Business customers have been able to get a Dell with Red Hat preinstalled for many years now. I suspect that they want their business users to keep using those systems, that they've been selling for years, rather than switching to something new and untested. I also suspect that if you were to poll Dell's business customers, the majority agree with that position.

[misconfiguration]

Dell doesn't offer Linux support they openly state that it's up to the 'Linux community' to provide support. It does suck that they wouldn't let you purchase it for a business, just buy a normal machine and install Ubuntu. I see how people want to buy these machines with Ubuntu on them because a lot of the money is wasted on bloatware not to mention M$ windows.

[smoker]

seems it on digg now!
http://digg.com/linux_unix

[mips]

the person on the phon was telling me that my discount cupan is invalid. using the same cupan i order my computer through website, it worked great.

What is a 'cupan" ?

[smoker]

What is a 'cupan" ?

maybe he means 'coupon'?