Dell picks UBUNTU

[jedijf]

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-6180419.html?tag=nl.e589


enough said.


jedijf
jim fisher

[kejava]

wow! i've been following this on and off, i even voted. i really didn't think it would happen though. this is big.

[andrewPCT]

Official Announcement: http://www.ubuntu.com/news/dell-to-offer-ubuntu

(That one links to the Dell announcement as well, complete with a video interview with Mark.)

[bfledderjohn]

This is FANTASTIC news. I've heard about it, but the official announcement is still VERY exciting!

[lbyrd33]

I dont know what to think of this deal. I personally do not like Dell laptops period. The other thing I wonder about is how these laptops will be priced compared to the Windows based computers. Will they take into account the cost of the software?

[bfledderjohn]

I hope they do take the cost into account. However, the big news is that a major manufacturer of desktop/Laptop computers will be selling systems with Ubuntu installed. This hopefully will give us the momentum to get other manufactures to start offering preinstalled Ubuntu systems.

I've always maintained that the way to go mainstream is to have Ubuntu preinstalled on computers. Getting John Q. Public to install Ubuntu over or next to Windows, is a much more difficult process than getting them to buy a system which has it preinstalled. I think most people are scared to death to change their existing computer's operating system.

But that's just me....

Whether you like Dell equipment or not, this is a gargantuan step forward!

[ChuckFrain]

I dont know what to think of this deal. I personally do not like Dell laptops period. The other thing I wonder about is how these laptops will be priced compared to the Windows based computers. Will they take into account the cost of the software?

If you don't like Dell laptops, purchase from System76 (http://system76.com)or the other companies that already sell Ubuntu preinstalled.

Just keep in mind that you're not paying the ~$150 or whatever the retail price is for Windows when you get in preinstalled on a machine. You're paying a volume discounted price plus they [Dell] factors in advertising revenue for the bonus/trialware software that comes to you out of the box.

[lbyrd33]

If you don't like Dell laptops, purchase from System76 (http://system76.com)or the other companies that already sell Ubuntu preinstalled.

Just keep in mind that you're not paying the ~$150 or whatever the retail price is for Windows when you get in preinstalled on a machine. You're paying a volume discounted price plus they [Dell] factors in advertising revenue for the bonus/trialware software that comes to you out of the box.

I realize that the price of windows software does not have that big effect on the price of a computer system. I am just worried that Dell may take advantage of the consumers who may not know that much about linux. Companies like system 76 and emperor linux have been taking advantage of this for a few years by making a $700 computer a "$900 computer with linux."

[ChuckFrain]

I realize that the price of windows software does not have that big effect on the price of a computer system. I am just worried that Dell may take advantage of the consumers who may not know that much about linux. Companies like system 76 and emperor linux have been taking advantage of this for a few years by making a $700 computer a "$900 computer with linux."

I really think that the higher costs come from a lower bulk discount for the hardware. If they did more volume I'm fairly sure that we'd see a drop in the retail costs.

[kejava]

I've read some interesting ideas on why PCs + Linux cost more. Some people have taken a different view and asked why PCs + Windows cost so little. Dell gets significant payback from all the companies that provide the cool crapware (AOL, Nero, etc.) that comes wrapped up in a Dell PC. And yes, they have mad skills at mass producing their hardware.

Anywho, still quite interesting that it's happening.

[bfledderjohn]

Well, I would say that the competition factor should force vendors keep their price in check... Supply and Demand dictates what they can charge. I have to agree with Chuck that they may not have any significant retail savings for these computers unless they are offering trialware stuff for Linux. :-(

But once again, from a sales perspective, Dell (and any other company for that matter) MUST make a profit. Also, to show that Linux is valuable you do not want to discount it too much. For Example, say that the Linux machine is $500 less than the Windows (this number is for example purposes only), due to the fact that there is no Vista license nor is there a MS Office Suite cost.

Ok, what does this tell people? Believe it or not, there will be people who say, it's $500 less, it must not be as good and go with the higher cost option because it is "safe". Linux should not be viewed as a dollar store deep discount product. The Ubuntu os works as good or better than Windows, so should people not pay a similar price?

If it were me I would charge a slightly less price for the Ubuntu Dell system, and throw in a year of Canonical 24/7 support. That way they are protecting their profit margins, giving better support than Windows, AND making money for Dell and Canonical.

Also, I think that this deal will open the door to better driver support from the hardware manufacturers.... This is also huge!

[lamalex]

personally i LIKE to buy computers with windows installed. It's very satisfying wiping that crap off my hd and fight to get my money refunded for the license I won't ever use. I am however super excited that now dell is offering pre-installed because that has so many ramifications for vendors to write drivers! Maybe now broadcom and ati won't give us the shaft. Also great for new users, when I have to buy a new computer I will buy one with Ubuntu preinstalled just to add to the number bought.

[ichilegend]

Wow, this is great. Personally, I think Dell slipped in a lot of ways under Kevin Rollins, but now that Michael Dell is back in charge as CEO, I think they are making much better decisions. This is a win - win for Ubuntu. People who may have thought in terms of only Windows/Mac will realize that an industry leader in PC manufacturing is supporting Ubuntu. I am on a Dell XPS laptop right now and Ubuntu runs like a charm. Excellent post!