Is DELL taking Linux seriously?
I have been posting for a while on DELL's website called Idea Storm and Open Source requests are always on the top of the popularity scale. In some cases, it appears that DELL is moving forward in support of Linux as a serious OS; and in other cases it seems like they still regard it as a "hobbiest" OS. This contradiction is most obvious with the recent release of the DELL mini 9.
A lot of posts, in other threads discussing the mini 9, have stated the Ubuntu version is +/-$15 compared to the Windows version. I double checked this carefully and with the "Instant Savings" the Windows version is the same price as the Ubuntu version with the same specs.
Originally Posted by
Ubuntu DELL
Starting Price $399
As low as $15/month*
Dell Preferred Account for PCs, laptops, and computer accessoriesApply | Learn More
Update Price & Ship Date
Discount Details
Preliminary Ship Date: 10/10/20081
Print Summary
My Components
Obsidian Black
Mini OS powered by Ubuntu 8.04
512MB DDR2 at 533MHz
8GB Solid State Drive
Integrated 0.3M Pixel Webcam
My Accessories
My Service
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
Also Includes
Intel® Atom Processor® N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
Wireless 802.11g Mini Card
32WHr Battery (4 cell)
Base LCD Assembly
Base LCD Assembly in Black
No Installation
Originally Posted by
Windows DELL
Starting Price $439
Instant Savings $40
Subtotal $399
As low as $15/month*
Dell Preferred Account for PCs, laptops, and computer accessoriesApply | Learn More
Update Price & Ship Date
Discount Details
Preliminary Ship Date: 9/19/20081
Print Summary
My Components
Obsidian Black
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
512MB DDR2 at 533MHz
8GB Solid State Drive
Integrated 0.3M Pixel Webcam
My Accessories
My Service
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
Also Includes
Intel® Atom Processor® N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
Wireless 802.11g Mini Card
32WHr Battery (4 cell)
Base LCD Assembly
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1, English
Base LCD Assembly in Black
McAfee SecurityCenter 30-day Trial
Microsoft Works 9 DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
No Installation
No ISP requested
I feel the need to point out pro- and anti- Linux actions that DELL has made in the case of the mini 9. My purpose is not to bash DELL, but to encourage other opinions. I would please encourage open discussion/positive criticism only.
Apparent Anti-Linux Actions:
1. The Windows version comes with an instant savings, Ubuntu does not.
2. Only the Windows version is available now, the Linux version is pre-order only.
3. Until the mini 9, Linux has been tucked away under a single link, hard for someone too see without knowing to look for it.
Apparent Pro-Linux Actions:
1. Only the Linux version comes with a free 1-year, 2GB subscription to box.com. (verified by one online DELL rep.)
2. Linux is advertised next to the Windows version, without being hidden. Any common customer will see this option along side Windows.
3. DELL has steadily increased the number of pre-installed Linux machines offered.
Draw your own conclusions. Personally I cannot tell at this point what DELL is doing. Are they trying to move forward with Linux, facing pressures from Microsoft? Or are they simply offering Linux openly with the mini 9 because Linux Nettops are a fad?
-AR
Actors make their living playing pretend, so why do we listen to them about how we should live in the real world?
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