Here are the first DELL's

[jedijf]

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

[Flump5000]

heres a site showing the price differences and specs: http://www.cs.uml.edu/~ntuck/dellbuntu/

the ubuntu ones are hundreds less in some models.

[Benchrest]

I'm a little disappointed. Hopefully there will be more models. I was waiting for the 1501 to come without windows, I can install my own system. As it is now I can get a 1501 for $549 and scrap the windows. A E1505N is $50 more! Only difference I see is it is not AMD which I prefer. I guess I will continue to watch the Dell site and see what comes of this. I was expecting identical systems to what they have now only with Ubuntu. They change a few things to make it less clear if there are any savings and how much.

[Churnd]

I was hoping for at least a $100 price difference all around. You're only saving $50 on the XPS models, and $79 on the laptop. I don't feel this is enough to push people to make the change. Dell most likely won't put much effort into marketing other key selling points of Ubuntu. I predict they'll let it run for a year, then when the hype dies down, they'll say "Well, we gave it a shot" and pull the plug.

[lamalex]

I was hoping for at least a $100 price difference all around. You're only saving $50 on the XPS models, and $79 on the laptop. I don't feel this is enough to push people to make the change. Dell most likely won't put much effort into marketing other key selling points of Ubuntu. I predict they'll let it run for a year, then when the hype dies down, they'll say "Well, we gave it a shot" and pull the plug.

someone's a negative nancy

[Churnd]

someone's a negative nancy

I'm just being realistic. I know a good business plan when I see one, and this isn't it.

[kejava]

someone's a negative nancy

I'm thinking he's more of a Debbie Downer :( But I see his point. Everyone is entitled to being a little suspicious of this arrangement. To Dell's defense, I'm pretty sure they're well versed in business plans / models too ;-)

As for me, I plan get the cheapie $600 deal (http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&kc=6V440&l=en&oc=DNCWEL1&s=dhs). This is going to be my treat after sending invoices to my clients after a 4 month dry spell. Luckily, I had a wet spell before that.

[elizabeth]

It looks like a better business plan than the big companies who previously offered Linux on consumer-level machines. When HP did it with Suse about 3 years ago ALL the Linux machines were hugely over-priced - we bought one to support them offering Linux (and immediately replaced Suse with Gentoo) but predictably their plan fizzled and they stopped offering Linux, callling the whole thing a failure

At least with Ubuntu Dells there is a real difference in price. Remember - they're not gaining the money from advertising (companies like AOL pay manufacturers to put their stupid icons and demos on your desktop when the PC is shipped) and they have to take the tiniest bit of extra time to work out compatibility issues. So it's not just the difference in an MS license we're talking about, there is other money floating around MS PCs that they won't have from Linux.

I just hope us Ubuntu people rally around this and buy these machines. I've got my eye on that $600 laptop. Previously I wasn't considering the cheap laptops because of compatibility problems with linux, but these... :D

[ariadacapo]

I'm disappointed, not because of the prices, but because of the way they present Ubuntu...



A downside is that some open source software requires intermediate or advanced knowledge to use


Common! :(

Someone [wrote this out (http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/67694/Get_the_facts_about_Ubuntu)] pretty well. Might be worth a digg (http://digg.com/software/Dell_please_get_the_facts_about_Ubuntu_and_GNU_Lin ux).

Olivier.

[kejava]

I just ordered the Inspiron E1505N yesterday. Should get it some time between June 13th and the 15th. I'll let you know how it goes.

UPDATE: It went out yesterday, May 31st. I should get it on June 4th. The original delivery date must be some rough estimate they always toss out. Hmm, 8 days ain't so bad.

[naknak987]

As soon as posible, I'm going to order a laptop with ubuntu on it from them cuz I need a laptop.

[reckless2k2]

I agree that the pricing isn't attractive enough to pull people away from Windows. Now while that more than likely is not their goal, I wouldn't be so inclined to buy a model because I can build cheaper. Most current linux users can run their needs on their current machines and or have enough know-how to put something together with better spec for the same price or same spec cheaper.

This Dell/Ubuntu thing is about growing the linux community. I don't see it at that price.

Is Dell or Ubuntu giving support on these models?

[bfledderjohn]

Dell is giving support for the hardware, Canonical is supporting the OS through service contracts (I believe two levels, startup and ongoing support).

[soulfly7x]

Just for kicks, I just customized a laptop to have as much the same specs as the HP laptop I am currently using. The results were entirely expected. The Dell was overpriced, and would have cost more than I paid for this one, and that's with an entirely cost free OS installed.

Let's face it, Dell sucks. Dell has always sucked. They sell overpriced, underquality computers. I still plan on never, ever buying a Dell.

Never.

[Cows]

Well it's better for ubuntu linux users like myself. Im really happy that Dell is finally selling Linux machines. The next step is as alot of people have already said 'to make ubuntu next to windows as a OS choice'. Also soul I agree with you 100% I would rather buy a HP computer then a dell. But the prices are very dependable and since im not much of a "hardcore hardware" type of guy I would be very pleased with a 1 GB laptop w/ ubuntu on it :).

[joe.turion64x2]

It is interesting, lets see if other OEMs follow suit and offer Linux based PCs, with different distros perhaps, just to make competence more interesting.

That would absolutely depend in market response.

Joe.

[lamalex]

It is interesting, lets see if other OEMs follow suit and offer Linux based PCs, with different distros perhaps, just to make competence more interesting.

That would absolutely depend in market response.

Joe.

I'm rooting for HP selling Ubuntu PC/laptops. That's my #1 pick.

[reckless2k2]

Yeah see obvious need for "new to linux" users having to purchase additional software support over top of the PC cost does nothing to close the gap. By the time it's all said and done, the price difference wouldn't be a far cry from just buying the standard MS offerings. If you search around the Dell site, you'll find cheaper MS computers than the Ubuntu versions. The "new to linux" users are probably not going to trudge through the support forums especially if it's their only PC and the pay support will be unattractive as well. And how many linux onsite support technicians have you seen running around? hahaha. I'm sure BestBuy doesn't have a linux team ready to come to your house if you have problems. haha.

I would very much like to see it successful but I'd be surprised if it did.

[bfledderjohn]

Honestly, from what I am seeing, Dell isn't marketing these machines to "new to Linux users."

I think they are responding to their current customers who are asking them to sell Ubuntu desktops that don't have hardware driver issues. That's it. I sincerely doubt that you will see them advertising the Ubuntu machines in their mailers or in the newspaper. Not yet. If they sell a bunch, then yes you will see them advertise.

The bright side is that the more manufacturers that preinstall Ubuntu (or other distros) are helping with getting the community better driver support. It is also saying that Ubuntu (and other distros) are starting to hit the mainstream.

Whether you will or won't buy a Dell is personal choice. You can build your own if you like. That isn't changing. What's changing is that people who can't or won't build their own and won't consider an OS that isn't preinstalled, are being given an option to join our community. They will experience the benefit of Open Source and will possibly make a move to Ubuntu as their primary operating system.

Dell's choice is a baby step, but a necessary one. Let us hope it is one that is mirrored by other OEMs.

If I were to buy a new computer right now, I would support Dell. Not because of the price or that Dell is my first choice for harware (normally it isn't), but because they had the guts to go with Ubuntu, and I don't want the initiative to fail.