Cost Comparison: system76 and Dell

[Azakus]

It looks like Dell's Ubuntu Laptop, the E1505N is a better deal than the system76 Pangolin Value when I match up parts.

E1505N:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T5600 (2MB Cache/1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
Ubuntu Edition version 7.04
15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WXGA+ Display with TrueLife™
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHZ, 2 DIMM
80GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
My Accessories
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945a/g
My Service
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
Also Includes
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Integrated Audio
Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
Cost: $1,039

Pangolin Value:
Display: 15.4” Widescreen WXGA (1280X800)
Graphics: Intel GMA 950 224 MB Integrated Graphics
Sound: Intel High Definition Audio
Networking: 10/100/1000 (LAN)
Wireless: Intel 802.11 abg
Card Reader: 4 in 1 Card Reader
Expansion: PCI Express Card Slot (34/54)
Ports: VGA, 4x USB 2.0, Mic In, Headphone Out, FireWire 1394B, S-Video
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion
Battery Life: 3 Hours
Dimensions: 14.25" x 10.5" x 1.74" (W x D x H)
Weight: 6.8 lbs
Core 2 Duo T5600 1.83GHz 2MB 667FSB
1 GB DDR2 667 MHz (2 x 512 MB)
80 GB 7200 RPM
CD-RW / DVD-RW (Dual Layer)
1 Yr. Ltd. Warranty and Technical Support
Cost: $1,251.00

Which would you buy?

[CSMatt]

I don't buy anything with a Core 2 Duo due to the Trecherous Computing inside, so neither.

[Enverex]

It looks like Dell's Ubuntu Laptop, the E1505N is a better deal than the system76 Pangolin Value when I match up parts.

E1505N:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T5600 (2MB Cache/1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
Ubuntu Edition version 7.04
15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WXGA+ Display with TrueLife™
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHZ, 2 DIMM
80GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
My Accessories
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945a/g
My Service
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
Also Includes
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Integrated Audio
Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
Cost: $1,039

Pangolin Value:
Display: 15.4” Widescreen WXGA (1280X800)
Graphics: Intel GMA 950 224 MB Integrated Graphics
Sound: Intel High Definition Audio
Networking: 10/100/1000 (LAN)
Wireless: Intel 802.11 abg
Card Reader: 4 in 1 Card Reader
Expansion: PCI Express Card Slot (34/54)
Ports: VGA, 4x USB 2.0, Mic In, Headphone Out, FireWire 1394B, S-Video
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion
Battery Life: 3 Hours
Dimensions: 14.25" x 10.5" x 1.74" (W x D x H)
Weight: 6.8 lbs
Core 2 Duo T5600 1.83GHz 2MB 667FSB
1 GB DDR2 667 MHz (2 x 512 MB)
80 GB 7200 RPM
CD-RW / DVD-RW (Dual Layer)
1 Yr. Ltd. Warranty and Technical Support
Cost: $1,251.00

Which would you buy?

I'd buy from somewhere else. I just bought a laptop with much better specs as a Dell for far less than Dell was charging (it's an Asus that I bought) not to mention I didn't have to wait 2 weeks for Dell to "customise" it either.

I don't buy anything with a Core 2 Duo due to the Trecherous Computing inside, so neither.

Sounds like paranoia to me. You're missing out on the best processors you can get in a laptop right now. Not to mention the TPM module is optional, requires a driver to work and doesn't do anything in Linux (or Windows for that matter) either.

[brim4brim]

They both have pretty crappy specs TBH. An Integrated graphics card is a big no no for me.

[Azakus]

I think I need to say that this thread is not a buying guide (as I would rather just hop on Newegg to buy a laptop and install Ubuntu) but just an interesting thing I've spotted, as Dell's Ubuntu stuff is generally cheaper than system76's.

[CSMatt]

Sounds like paranoia to me. You're missing out on the best processors you can get in a laptop right now. Not to mention the TPM module is optional, requires a driver to work and doesn't do anything in Linux (or Windows for that matter) either.

Well, it's mainly out of principle. Intel seems to have DRM on their mind for their future products, and I don't want anything to do with it.

And it's not its use in GNU/Linux that I'm worried about. I'm confident that no free software programmer would abuse the module. It's Windows Vista that draws my concern. I may either have to inevitably install Vista to run some program or game or put up with it if I can't get the "Windows tax" refund. I don't trust that Microsoft won't slip a mandatory activation into the next service pack or something, and that they won't attempt to abuse the technology.

[Enverex]

I'm sure AMD will end up bringing it in eventually anyways though....

[billdotson]

there is TPM stuff in a core 2 duo? what? I bought a core 2 duo and other parts and put my PC together myself, does that affect me?

[CSMatt]

I'm sure AMD will end up bringing it in eventually anyways though....

They already have. That's what Presidio is. I'm not exactly sure what models it is in, but I think that it is only in models that use socket AM2 and that also have Pacifica virtualisation technology (Intel bundled their TC with their hardware virtualization as well).

there is TPM stuff in a core 2 duo? what? I bought a core 2 duo and other parts and put my PC together myself, does that affect me?

At this stage, probably not. I'm thinking that the media companies are waiting until everyone has shifted to TC hardware before turning it on. If they abuse it now there would be a mad rush for the still plentiful and not yet obsolete non-TC hardware. It will probably take a few more years, assuming that the idea isn't abandoned. You'll also need software that will abuse it, so if Ubuntu is all you run you are probably in the clear.