Dell UK are not really supporting linux

[daverich]

A mate of mine phoned them last night only to be told they don't do linux systems - or, that he could buy a system with all the windows stuff (including anti-virus, works and all that guff) and then put linux on it.

Has anyone managed to buy a linux system from them,- or is there anywhere else in the uk that you would recommend?

Kind regards

Dave Rich

[Handyman Felting]

That's nothing, on the Australian site Windows, not Linux, is selected as default when customising your order. One has to wonder how much Micro$oft had to pay for that privilege.

[bobbob94]

They do sell Linux systems, I bought an Ubuntu desktop off them about three weeks ago. It turned up quickly and works fine, its a nice computer...Maybe your mate just got a particularly dense salesperson?

[K.Mandla]

I have heard experiences to the contrary. I have a family member (http://kmandla.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/sad-story-happy-ending/) with an Ubuntu preinstalled laptop and when she had problems she called Dell, and a Windows customer service representative who knew something about Ubuntu helped her with it.

Obviously the guy was going way outside what he was supposed to do, but it was still a cool thing to do. I'm just hoping he didn't get fired for it.

[WorldTripping]

A mate of mine phoned them last night only to be told they don't do linux systems - or, that he could buy a system with all the windows stuff (including anti-virus, works and all that guff) and then put linux on it.

Has anyone managed to buy a linux system from them,- or is there anywhere else in the uk that you would recommend?

Kind regards

Dave Rich


Sorry, but he must have got an especially newbie telesales person.

My experiences with Dell are 100% contrary to this.

My Inspiron 1525 turned up within three days, Ubuntu fully installed with codecs and working DVD player.

The only thing I had to do when ordering on the phone was say "I would like Ubuntu rather than Vista."

Even online they make it pretty clear which systems can have have Ubuntu pre-installed (albeit not all systems have this option).

I'd suggest looking online for a Ubuntu system, and then phoning them again.

[ubuntu-freak]

As of this moment, I've only seen Dell UK offering the Mini 9 with Ubuntu pre-installed.

Have a look at The Linux Emporium (linuxemporium.co.uk) and PC
Specialist (pcspecialist.co.uk).

[BigSilly]

Missus bought an Ubuntu Dell 1525 laptop not so long ago, and it's been fantastic. The one time she had to phone them about it (wireless related) the service was fine. No one said they don't do Linux or anything. They were keen to offer support.

I think the Linux Dell's are great, and I quite fancy a new desktop...

[gn2]

Just had a look at Dell UK's Ubuntu site and it looks very much like they're no longer available in the UK.

http://www.dell.co.uk/ubuntu

Edit: site is back up now, panic over! Ubuntu Dells back on the Xmas menu :)

[BigSilly]

Hmmm...can only find one product on their site though gn2, and that's a Dell Inspiron Mini (http://search.euro.dell.com/results.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cat=prod&cs=ukdhs1&k=ubuntu&rpp=12&p=1&rf=all&nk=f&ira=False&~srd=False&ipsys=False&advsrch=False&~ck=tab). Even then, it's showing that it comes with XP!

Maybe Dell will no longer be supporting Ubuntu then.

[Sealbhach]

It's not their job to support Linux. Their job is to make money.

The Dell UK websites features Ubuntu machines, and they're advertising the Ubuntu Mini 9 in the press. Looks like progress to me.



.

[BigSilly]

It's not their job to support Linux. Their job is to make money.

The Dell UK websites features Ubuntu machines, and they're advertising the Ubuntu Mini 9 in the press. Looks like progress to me.

By "support", I think we mean the option to buy Ubuntu pre-installed on Dell systems, and once you've bought one, being able to get the same help Windows users enjoy. As it is, there looks to me to be only one Ubuntu system available on their site, which is a step back from what they were offering previously, and isn't progress at all.

It's disappointing to me, as I would definitely buy a Dell desktop. I think they did a pretty good job with the line up they offered earlier in the year. The missus only has a very basic spec with her Inspiron, but it runs Ubuntu beautifully. As I like the overall quality of Dell PC's, I would have bought one for sure.

I don't think anyone meant "supporting" Linux or Ubuntu in a broader sense, and I'm pretty sure most people are aware that yes, Dell is a business.

[PhoenixMaster00]

As of this moment, I've only seen Dell UK offering the Mini 9 with Ubuntu pre-installed.

Have a look at The Linux Emporium (linuxemporium.co.uk) and PC
Specialist (pcspecialist.co.uk).

I will advise everyone to not look at PC Specialist if you are wanting to buy a Ubuntu laptop from there (Desktops are okay i think not had one an sent it back yet:p) If you do buy a laptop from there you will soon find out that they knowingly sell there laptops with wifi cards dont work on LInux because there bosses dont think its worth the money to buy different wifi cards for a few customers.

Anyways when i was looking around for Ubuntu laptops Dell UK were very happy they gave me a quote on certain specs for it. Service was so good i asked about there desktops then and got another quote.

[solitaire]

Dell have been fully behind Linux on their systems, They have said many times that they are looking onto updating their site to handle Linux as an option.

so their are 2 possibilities

1) They have removed the linux section to recode it to integrate it better into their sales system.
or
2) They are revamping the section because they will be releasing systems using the new Ubuntu 8.10 in time for the Christmas rush... :D. (mosy likely option in my opinion.)

[mihai.ile]

Dell have been fully behind Linux on their systems, They have said many times that they are looking onto updating their site to handle Linux as an option.

so their are 2 possibilities

1) They have removed the linux section to recode it to integrate it better into their sales system.
or
2) They are revamping the section because they will be releasing systems using the new Ubuntu 8.10 in time for the Christmas rush... :D. (mosy likely option in my opinion.)

I don't know. Some weeks ago the ubuntu page was working but they removed the XPS laptop offer.
Now they removed all their offers...

[Paqman]

so their are 2 possibilities

1) They have removed the linux section to recode it to integrate it better into their sales system.
or
2) They are revamping the section because they will be releasing systems using the new Ubuntu 8.10 in time for the Christmas rush... :D. (mosy likely option in my opinion.)

There is of course a third option: they've decided to stop selling Linux pre-installed, just like all the other times a major retailer has experimented with preinstalled Linux.

I hope not, I was going to buy one the Ubuntu Inspirons in the new year.

[daverich]

ok they finally got back to him with an ubuntu option, it took a bit of digging though.

Kind regards

Dave Rich

[ubuntu-freak]

ok they finally got back to him with an ubuntu option, it took a bit of digging though.

Kind regards

Dave Rich


Desktop, notebook or netbook? I was gonna buy a Dell Ubuntu notebook, but they're not being offered on the Dell UK website.

Incidently, I'd welcome opinions on the ASUS X58L notebook I'm considering buying from The Linux Emporium (linuxemporium.co.uk).

Thanks.

[gn2]

Incidently, I'd welcome opinions on the ASUS X58L notebook I'm considering buying from The Linux Emporium (linuxemporium.co.uk)

Bit big and cumbersome.

As a fan of smaller 12" laptops I like this one: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148560

There's always the option to decline the Vista Eula and claim a refund to bring the price down a bit.

[ubuntu-freak]

Bit big and cumbersome.

As a fan of smaller 12" laptops I like this one: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148560

There's always the option to decline the Vista Eula and claim a refund to bring the price down a bit.


Hmm... think I prefer the ASUS X58L. I'm not gonna be taking it for walks, so it's size doesn't matter much to me, it has a slightly faster CPU, 2GB RAM, Ubuntu pre-installed, tested, and configured. Plus it's £415, including delivery.

[gn2]

Plus it's £415, including delivery.

No need to spend that much (http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Asus_X58L-AP004C_Laptop_X58L-AP004C/version.asp?refsource=ldfroogle).

[kelvin spratt]

I've just ordered a Dell Inspiron 1525 15.4" widescreen with Ubuntu £299.0.0 in the UK.
with no problems

[ubuntu-freak]

No need to spend that much (http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Asus_X58L-AP004C_Laptop_X58L-AP004C/version.asp?refsource=ldfroogle).


It's cheaper cos' MS subsidise the cost of computers with Windows pre-installed. Also, I don't want to pay MS tax.

[ubuntu-freak]

I've just ordered a Dell Inspiron 1525 15.4" widescreen with Ubuntu £299.0.0 in the UK.
with no problems


Did you order it by phone? Perhaps they will update their site soon.

[notwen]

Have any of you bothered to Chat/Phone a Dell CSR and ask them about why the Ubuntu models are no longer showing up on the site? I'm sure there's a simple explanation and it not being them dropping Ubuntu and their N-Series models offered w/ it. =]

[markphilips]

Dell keep changing their minds about it. probably to do with another software company

[ubuntu-freak]

Have any of you bothered to Chat/Phone a Dell CSR and ask them about why the Ubuntu models are no longer showing up on the site? I'm sure there's a simple explanation and it not being them dropping Ubuntu and their N-Series models offered w/ it. =]


I will do, but I'd like to whinge first thank you very much. ;)

[bash]

Checked the French (http://www.dell.fr/ubuntu)and German (http://www.dell.de/ubuntu) Dell Ubuntu websites. Both have no models listed, just like the UK page. Only the spanish Dell website still lists Ubuntu models. So the speculations continue as to what is going on.

[smoker]

well, dell's just dropped £20 off their inspiron mini (both ubuntu and xp models):
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

don't know if this is to do with the imminent change in uk vat though, but still, the cheaper the better!

[andrew.mckevitt]

well, dell's just dropped £20 off their inspiron mini (both ubuntu and xp models):
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

don't know if this is to do with the imminent change in uk vat though, but still, the cheaper the better!

ummm, I was going to get an eee 901, not so sure now. It's a shame you don't get the 16GB ssd with ubuntu, only 8GB and a poor webcam too. Worth the extra to get the xp version, then wipe it and install ubuntu yourself.

[Sealbhach]

Checked the French (http://www.dell.fr/ubuntu)and German (http://www.dell.de/ubuntu) Dell Ubuntu websites. Both have no models listed, just like the UK page. Only the spanish Dell website still lists Ubuntu models. So the speculations continue as to what is going on.


I'm really hoping it's not because of this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7740995.stm


.

[gn2]

It's cheaper cos' MS subsidise the cost of computers with Windows pre-installed. Also, I don't want to pay MS tax.

The laptop will have been supplied to the Linux Emporium with Vista already installed.
The Linux Emporium will then have wiped Vista off and insalled Ubuntu.

As for "MS tax" that's just nonsense, you can decline the EULA and claim a refund.
That way the hardware could be yours, MS free for about £100 less than Linux Emporium are charging.

Do you want to spend £100 of your money getting someone to install Ubuntu for you?

[mihai.ile]

Well the UK website is back, I saw no changes except for maybe a small price drop?

[kelvin spratt]

Ubuntu-freak
I ordered on the net 1 week ago and it arrived today and it works straight from the box as Dell said it would. So there is no problem only in peoples heads.

[ubuntu-freak]

Ubuntu-freak
I ordered on the net 1 week ago and it arrived today and it works straight from the box as Dell said it would. So there is no problem only in peoples heads.


I guess a few of us were temporarily blind then.

[kelvin spratt]

Ubunty-freak
I did not mean to sound nasty I ordered after reading this thread, I think they have been updating the site