Put Ubuntu on the list of operating systems when building a PC!

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26710

Put Ubuntu on the list of operating systems when building a PC!

26710 points posted to Linux, Sales Strategies, Desktops and Laptops by samb0057 08/10/07 **UNDER REVIEW**

Ubuntu is hidden in a dark corner of the website. I work in IT support, and I have a client who was having virus problems a little while ago. I fixed the problem by installing Ubuntu on their PC. Very recently they called me asking for advice on a new computer, I told them about your new offer providing Ubuntu pre-installed on PCs and they wanted to purchase, but could not find the section on your site (this person is a very basic user, doesn't know what open-source means, probably didn't even see the open source link). There is no way they would have found your Ubuntu section on their own.

I urge you to offer Ubuntu as a choice of OSes in the system configuration wizard, the only way to really sell Ubuntu is to offer Ubuntu as a primary option, rather than a hidden alternative. I personally am looking to buy a new laptop, and you guys have always been my number 1 PC manufacturer (I don't think I've ever bought a new retail PC except from you guys), but I feel that your Ubuntu offerings are lacking. If you offered Ubuntu on some of the great deals you offer on your home page, I would be willing to pay just as much as I would for a Windows Vista system and I probably would have already ordered.

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tashmooclam 08/11/07	Good point. It's almost as if they were keeping a secret.
winoffice 08/13/07	Something like this: Select your operating system Windows Vista: None Home Basic Home Premium Business Ultimate Linux, multiboots: None Ubuntu 7.04 Other Linux (if available) Multiboots (i.e., a computer with both Linux and Windows) By the way, concerning multiboots, please offer them! (see the idea http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/68091/Why_cant_we_get_multiboot_Linux_s...)
cosh 08/13/07	Makes me feel all warm inside to see that someone with a user name of "winoffice" is happy to let Dell's Linux options be more visible.
samstern 08/15/07	I just bought a Dell XPS 410 with the quad core and 800mhz memory options. Given that this build is simply not available when selecting a "Open Source" PC (One can only select the less powerful XPS 410n) I will have to face arranging my own multi boot scenario. Oddly, the very suggestion that WinOffice makes (above) is what I suggested to the phone rep I got when I called in to suggest that this ability be added. Quite specifically I want to be able to boot to a fully licensed version of XP SP2 AND Vista. However one must rearange the list a bit: Windows Vista: Home Basic Home Premium Business Ultimate Windows XP: Home Edition Media Center Professional Multiboot: Vista Home Basic + Ubuntu Vista Home Premium + Ubuntu Vista Ultimate + Ubuntu XP SP 2 + Ubuntu XP Media Center + Ubuntu Vista Ultimate + XP Pro
stoodleysnow 08/17/07	Don't forget the Ubuntu Only option!
howlingmadhowie 08/18/07	how about: no operating system ($0) ubuntu disk ($0) ubuntu preinstalled ($20) windows xp home edition ($50) windows... windows vista ultimate ($300) surcharge for multiboot systems (windows+ubuntu) $20
bulletgani 08/21/07	merge candidate http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72525/Ubuntu_on_all_models_where_it_works
macmoh 08/22/07	Yes 100% agree with you, in fact I already posted this message earlier...hope that dell will listen this time.
winoffice 08/27/07	Well cosh, as long as the Linux postings are not offensive or duplicated, and as long as it does not say something like "Stop using Windows completely" or "Stop using Vista completely" or the like, I see no reason why Linux should not be offered as another choice alongside with Windows (and/or FreeDOS, for no-OS fans). Besides, Windows and Linux PCs have different URLs and are separate. They should be in the same OS list, so that only one URL per system would have be necessary (and not one for Windows and one for Linux). It would be easier to remember. For one thing, Linux fans who do not want the Windows link on the open source page would be satisfied. The reason: It would be no longer necessary, because the operating systems would be in the same list. Thus the Windows link would still show you Linux, and vice versa. The Ubuntu links would likewise not be necessary. Also, Windows fans would be satisfied, because even if they do end up on the open source page, then no matter what they would click, the OS list would still have the Windows options.
winoffice 08/27/07	howlingmadhowie, so you want Vista Ultimate (OEM price is about $199) to cost about $100 more than it is now???
winoffice 08/27/07	Well, the multiboot option that I mentioned really is quite general. I did not write all the options, or else the comment would be unimaginably long.
howlingmadhowie 08/27/07	winoffice: i have no idea how much vista ultimaroonie edition costs. i do however imagine that dell can offer it to its customers for less than it would cost the customer to buy computer and operating system separately. this is called product bundling and is actually illegal. be that as it may, why do you find "stop using windows completely" bad? the operating is morally horrendous and technically 10 years behind the free equivalent. if you want to use windows, you are welcome to it, but do not force me into your slavery by producing files in a non-open format.
winoffice 08/29/07	howlingmadhowie: the price preinstalled is about $199, as I said in my last comment. Full retail is $399. This product bundling may be illegal, but that can only be if the bundled products are not similar or related. However, the operating system is necessary and thus is related. After all, without an OS you can do absolutely nothing! You cannot install other software, make a file, manage partitions on your hard drive, or anything! No wonder almost everyone (remember, I said "almost") wants an OS with a PC so that it would be ready to use out of the box. Also, whatever I am doing, it is not intended to prevent you from buying whatever OS you want preinstalled, so I am not forcing you into any slavery whatsoever. Similarly, you are welcome to use whatever OS you want, but please do not force me into your own slavery by making me get the OS separately. Also, concerning your question concerning stopping the use of Windows completely, that idea has been posted by someone, and it has been demoted by more people than promoted, and it has a negative score. The user cosh (this was not the one who posted the article) written this or something similar in a comment on the idea, "...this idea makes Linux look bad. Many people will actually start regretting that Linux appeared because they will fear losing Windows -- the OS that they know and are familiar with." That is the main reason for my belief of stopping the use of Windows completely bad -- because many people are familiar with it already.
winoffice 08/29/07	stoodelysnow, I forgot about those options, my apologies. Now I will change accordingly by adding the "None" option to each group. If you followed the link in that comment, then you would see my idea concerning multiboots, and there every option should be available already. Here it is again: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/68091/Why_cant_we_get_multiboot_Linux_s...
winoffice 08/29/07	cosh, you mean that you are pleased by that or something like this? If so, then I am even happier.
dell_admin10 08/29/07	Changed status to UNDER REVIEW.
jdelidc 08/29/07	thanks
howlingmadhowie 08/29/07	winoffice: it is illegal because by bundling they are changing the price difference to competing products. you force me into your slavery whenever you encourage microsoft to continue using undocumented and legally protected file formats or network protocols. i do not see why i should have to spend money on a copy of windows and a copy of microsoft office (with the ensuing inability to know what my computer is doing or to help people in similar situations when i have a problem) just to view a file you or someone like you has written. oh, btw. in my mind a pc would be ready to use out of the box if it came with a most of software for mri analysis and the like. no operating system does this. no matter what operating system i have on a computer, i'm going to have an hour long install-fest until it's ready-to-use (well, on windows it would probably take the best part of a week, but installing software on a linux distribution is so much easier than on windows). your idea of what is "ready-to-use" is coloured by your experience. i would consider a computer without an operating system much "readier-to-use" than a computer with windows. it is certainly morally better to use no computer than to use a computer with windows on it.
kennywrx 08/30/07	I agree... why have some specific models be Vista, some be XP or Vista and some be Ubuntu... it makes things more complicated. Instead just let people select the computer they want and then put the OS they want... plain and simple.
howlingmadhowie 09/01/07	dell_admin_xx: you'll have to explain here how this can be under review, and how things could have got this bad. basically tens if not hundreds of thousands of people begged you to offer ubuntu and you eventually did while hiding it away somewhere most visitors to the site can't find it and offering it on 3 different models. this is not even lip service. it is disgraceful. why don't you just come clean and say "we at dell think ubuntu is so much worse than windows that you must be idiots to have asked for it. and seeing as your idiots, we're going to treat you as such"? because that's the message dell is sending us and the rest of the world.
cosh 09/01/07	No, that's the message Microsoft would like Dell to send to the rest of the world. Dell itself would love to satisfy its customers, get loyal fans in the open-source crowd, etc.
dave-2 09/04/07	Additional merge candidate, in addition to the previously suggested http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72525/Ubuntu_on_all_models_where_it_works: (3630 points, UNDER REVIEW) http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/68294/Same_discounts_available_on_Ubunt... (13500 points, PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED) Several other threads have suggested eliminating the special "n" model designators and simply adding Ubuntu and FreeDOS to the OS configuration list for normal models. The Iowa antitrust complaint (http://edge-op.org/iowa/iowaconsumercase.org/assets/attachments/Petition.pdf) settled this past April (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-6159357.html) states: "Microsoft sought and obtained the agreement of the OEMs to refrain from selling "naked machines." Instead, OEMs universally agree to "bundle" Microsoft applications and operating systems with their computer hardware, effectively depriving consumers of any competitive choices. These restrictive agreements exited before 2000 but, in 2000, Microsoft ratcheted the restriction up so that OEMs are forced to forfeit all discounts otherwise earned if they ship any "naked machines" to consumers. This heightened restriction, which (on information and belief) continues to the present, prohibits PC users and PC retailers from buying and installing lower priced or better quality operating systems of their choice." We've seen Dell's claim that Linux machines are priced around $50 less than the equivalents with Windows, which is contradicted by the actual prices of around $200 more for machines (regardless of product line) without Windows. For example, this week the Vostro 200 mini tower (Intel Core2 Duo E4300, Windows XP Home, E198WFP monitor, 1GB DDR2, 80GB SATA HD, 16X DVD-ROM, Intel 3100 Video) is $449, whereas the Vostro 200n mini tower with the identical hardware options and FreeDOS is $629, or $180 more than the Windows version. Dell needs to explain how the "same discounts" idea is "PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED", i.e. is there a single Ubuntu or FreeDOS machine anywhere on the website that is priced at or below the cost of the identical machine with Windows, or does PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED just mean a partial discount ($80 instant savings on the above mentioned Vostro 200n, vs $260 instant savings for the Vostro 200). And Dell needs to implement this idea, putting Ubuntu/FreeDOS options on the OS configuration lists along with Windows rather than marketing a whole separate line of "n" models. There's not much Dell can do about Microsoft's predatory licensing restrictions, but they can at least demonstrate, by making the OS costs directly visible, that predatory restrictions still exist.
jdelidc 09/04/07	this will probably be under review until january. then status will change to "not now"
dave-2 09/05/07	There has been some improvement on open-source pricing, with cost of not using Windows reduced to just over $100. Although for some product lines part of the difference could be attributed to subsidies from pre-installed software ("junkware" is a more polite term than "crapware" - let's not be rude), the Vostro line explicitly does not include junkware with Windows installations. So the cost of not using Windows on Vostro machines cannot be explained by junkware subsidies, it must be due entirely to other factors. Some examples from other product lines this week: Optiplex 320 (E2140, XP Home, 512MB 667MHz, 80GB, 16x DVD+/-RW, Radion X300, E178FP monitor) $492 Optiplex 320n (E2140, FreeDOS, same hardware as above) $605, $113 more than Windows Precision 390 (E6300, XP Home, 128MB nVidia Quadro NVS285, 1GB 533MHz DDR2, 16x DVD+/-RW, 80GB HD, Ultrasharp 1708FP) $929 after $389 discount Precision 390n (E6300, RedHat Enterprise Linux WS v4, same hardware as above) $1036 after $260 discount, only $107 more than Windows Inspiron 530 (E4500 - 2.2GHz, Vista Home Premium, E207WFP, 2GB DDR2, 320GB HD, 16x DVD+/-RW, nVidia 8300 GS) $789 after $310 discount Inspiron 530n (E4300 - 1.8GHz, Ubuntu, same hardware options) $899 after $100 discount Inspiron 530n (E4300 - 1.8GHz, FreeDOS, same hardware options) $849 after $150 discount - only $60 more than the Windows box with a faster processor, although the Inspiron 530 would probably be $50 cheaper if it were offered with the E4300 processor, making the difference $110.
khalbrae 09/12/07	I do agree with this assessment but there needs to be one stipulation. When a customer chooses Linux instead they need a popup to show that the Linux distro will NOT have a warranty provided for it for anything beyond the Dell hardware. If the drivers are installed and the hardware is physically OK the customer needs to be informed that it is _not_ a Dell issue. Afterall, the manufacturer did not add whichever buggy code is on there (part of the price of Windows is the money put in for tech troubleshooting, however, Dell does provide basic driver <as> troubleshooting gratis). People must be aware that Windows pays for extra service while with Linux, it's a seperate charge. I will promote this answer, but only in the concience that I have now informed people that this is not a cheap "easy button" but a seperate line operating system with different boundaries. Ubuntu is a great OS, but it's still geared for the more technical. "The Masses" are not ready for it if they are lead to believe thier free OS gets free support. That being http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/72352/Next_upgrade_to_the_new_XPS_1330_...< vote for the above! A gaming thin laptop with Linux as well would rock!
sin 10/03/07	DISCLAIMER: Did not read all posts. Linux can nowadays do pretty much everything a win box can do, even gaming to some extent (some native games + wine and cedega work surprisingly well). It would be quite easy for Dell to fully support Ubuntu on all it's computers, it's all just looking for the proper drivers and giving them to users. However, the attitude most companies have towards linux is less than friendly. Even Dell's Ubuntu page, besides not being very easy to find and not internationally available, has a more information about how to get back to the windows section than about the linux machines themselves.
dave-2 10/11/07	A recent article headlined "Canonical chases deal to ship Ubuntu server OS" (http://open.itworld.com/4917/071009ubuntu/page_1.html) stated: `It's been hard to tell how popular the Ubuntu desktop has been for Dell, which started selling the OS in May on two desktop PCs and the Inspiron E1505n notebook. Asked how well those PCs have sold, Canonical referred the questions to Dell. A Dell spokeswoman said the figures are confidential.` With Dell's current pricing policies, it's not hard to see why they would want to keep Ubuntu sales figures confidential. Who in their right mind would buy an Ubuntu model when they could get a Windows model for $100-$200 less, wipe the hard drive, and install Ubuntu themselves. That's exactly what I did with a recently purchased Vostro 400. IDG and Dell will have no idea how many people are using Ubuntu on Dell hardware until the most-requested idea on this site (http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/74137/The_most_requested_feature) is IMPLEMENTED .
hardawayd 10/17/07	This is a must. All of my students--there are thousands of students--and neighbors that would buy one if it only showed up as a choice with windows when building a PC and also had OpenOffice as a alternative when MS office is shown as a option. There needs to be a ad on the page that tells the users that hundreds of free programs comes with Linux----They are not familiar with the open source world---So get a clue!!
winoffice 10/20/07	The only thing that I want to say about making Ubuntu a "primary option": Not everyone wants Ubuntu, and many would be better off with Windows (either XP or Vista) because they already know and are familiar with Windows, and just do not want to be forced to learn another OS and applications. Thus, I doubt that Ubuntu should be made the default choice, but it should be put in the same list (so that there would be only one list for the operating systems, and it would contain all choices).
winoffice 10/20/07	samstern: I did not mention all of the possible multi-boot scenarios only because the list would be horribly long. However, if one wanted Vista Ultimate, XP Professional and Ubuntu, then he could select the appropriate options for the Windows Vista, Windows XP and Linux submenus.
jdelidc 10/20/07	i wouldn't make it primary choice either. and i would have a program compatibility warning even with it on there. wine is great but not that great
howlingmadhowie 10/20/07	now we've started playing linguistics with the word 'primary'.
leonbravo 10/25/07	I saw at hp site they offer some (most) computers even laptops with the option of free-dos, for you living in USA your choice is pretty simple buy hp not dell. In latinoamerica however is not as easy you can't simply find offers with linux or a non-windows system. I would like to invite you to say DELL "I am not going to buy you any computers, because HP offer is better". I must say I am gonna buy to whoever sell me computers with linux.
cosh 10/29/07	This isn't really under review at all is it?
dwood 11/05/07	Any time now Dell. can add this status to be implemented.
sims2789 11/13/07	If Dell does this, it needs to say that a lot of the customer's existing programs won't run but also say that most programs on Ubuntu are free. Plus, it should be cheaper than the same Windows PC but NOT advertised as a "value" version of the Windows variant.
karalius 11/14/07	thanks for your ideas and thoughts
dwood 11/14/07	People keep commenting! dont just let its votes get decayed!
dave-2 11/19/07	@cosh: Of course this idea is UNDER REVIEW - you don't think admin_1 would lie about a thing like that, do you? And after receiving a thorough review, it will be duly filed in the round cabinet. I agree with winoffice that Ubuntu should not be the default OS option (primary, default, what's the diff?). And I'm fine with a green Dell Recommends bar on Vista. As long as Ubuntu can be chosen from the OS list and is cheaper than Windows, they can put whatever compatibility notices and Help Me Choose information they want.
dwood 11/19/07	Thats a positive attitude, power to ya!
rarara77 11/24/07	I am looking to buy a notebook. There is only 1 notebook in the whole world, the one Ubuntu one you offer, that is recent enough to consider. GET THAT, 1 notebook in the whole world (that's recent) that does not come with Windows or OS X. Please expand it and have no operating system availabel for an option. It would buy from ONLY Dell if you did this.
xivulon 11/29/07	What about having a checkboxes for each operating system? No checkbox means no OS, Multiple checkboxes = Multiboot. Conflict resolution dialog notifes about conflicts between OS and Hardware. [Y/N] Ubuntu [$0] [Y/N] Windows XP [$50] [Y/N] Vista Basic [$50] [Y/N] Vista Home Premium [$100] ,,,, Edit: made it into a separate proposal http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/75302/MultiOS_selection_via_checkboxes
jdelidc 11/29/07	not a bad idea..... and the nice thing is that no-os would be an option by default just by not checking one of the boxes. but i would do something like this so that they don't get too many complaints from angry customers: AN OPERATING SYSTEM IS HIGHLY RECOMENDED. YOUR COMPUTER WILL BE UNUSABLE WITHOUT ONE [Y/N] Ubuntu [$0] ADVANCED USERS ONLY [Y/N] Windows XP [$50] [Y/N] Vista Basic [$50] [Y/N] Vista Home Premium [$100] [Y/N] Vista Ultimate [$150] [Y/N] Vista Business [$100]
winoffice 11/29/07	jdelidc: Do not forget to include Vista Business and Ultimate in the list! You are including Vista [Home] Basic and Home Premium after all.
jdelidc 11/29/07	i just copied it. but i'll edit
xivulon 11/30/07	I have edited the proposal, added Vista Ultimate and Business as opposed of having ",,," and added an info button, so that users can be shown a short description for each choice. I have also suggested that a fair comparison table be provided. Select My Operating Systems: [ _ ] Free DOS (info) [$0] [ x ] Ubuntu 7.10 (info) [$0] [ _ ] Windows XP (info) [add $50] [ x ] Windows Vista Basic (info) [add $50] [ _ ] Windows Vista Home Premium (info) [add $100] [ _ ] Windows Vista Ultimate (info) [$150] [ _ ] Windows Vista Business (info) [$100] Link here: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/75302/MultiOS_selection_via_checkboxes Hopefully that will accomodate most requests relating to OS choice.
jdelidc 12/02/07	(info) is a good idea
aikiwolfie 12/13/07	Tesco are now selling Linux PCs. They also sell them right along side Windows PCs.
dwood 12/18/07	Go Tesco. They need more business.
sat.architect 12/18/07	UBUNTU powered laptops are what I / my colleagues are looking for. We are disappointed with dell as we don't have any options. There is only one model for Ubuntu which is bad. We want to see Ubuntu like windows so that we can choose the Ubuntu for all laptops. Dell should make the Ubuntu explicit. DELL I HOPE YOU ARE READING THIS. Please act NOW and be a Leader!
sat.architect 12/20/07	My colleague and I was planning to buy a UBUNTU powered laptop with AMD 64bit Processor. I disappointed as there were not any options at all in Dell. Ubuntu laptop comes only in one configuration. Dell, I hope you are listening to people's feedback. We want options for Ubuntu like there should be an option to choose Ubuntu in OS selections and also an option to choose AMD 64bit (etc) in Processor Selection. We don't like the idea of 1 configuration. It's as simple as that.
carsonmetcalf 12/22/07	Dell is the worst computer corporation on earth! I've had so much bad luck with them, I finally made the switch to HP. Faster and much more RELIABLE! People who use Dell have to be out of their mind. I have had 3 Dells. One for 2 years, one for 2 weeks, and another one for 5 days! Please, go somewhere else, anywhere else but here!
aikiwolfie 12/23/07	Yeah we got the message the first time around. Not really interested in spammers or trolls.
sat.architect 12/31/07	ATTENTION DELL: Added Recenlty (Dec 31): I checked back today in dell site hoping that I'd buy a Ubuntu Laptop. Still, I do NOT see any choices for selecting Ubuntu laptops. Hence, I'm not buying and I'm going to wait for a couple of weeks. DELL SHOULD PUT UBUNTU IN ALMOST ALL LAPTOPS INCLUDING AMD 64 / VISTRO. If not, I'm going with a different vendor even though I've been a dell cusotmer for the past 9 years.
cosh Jan 5	Buy a Mac.
stickman842 Jan 10	Dunno if anyone suggested it, but what about Kubuntu? Kicks Vista's bum. The 3d multi desktop thing is awesome. Been out for years. Suppose it's just a prettier version of Ubuntu. I'm reformatting my laptop as soon as I'm getting it and putting Kubuntu on. My friend's dad's preloaded Vista crashed a week after getting his laptop.
howlingmadhowie Jan 13	stickman842: if you have an ubuntu installation, you can install kubuntu by opening the synaptic package manager and selecting kubuntu-desktop from the list of available software packages.
jdelidc Jan 13	@stickman: i'm feeling lucky. my vista lasted 2x as long. (ok i cheated and used ubuntu and fedora most of the time)
jdecarie Jan 24	It is not a very good idea, Ubuntu doesn't always work with all hardwares. The Dell machines with Ubuntu pre-installed are tested before and soon they will be Certified by Canonical. If you choose Ubuntu in the Operating Systems list and once you have it, it doesn't work. I don't think you'll be very happy.
aikiwolfie Jan 24	That's ok. Ubuntu and Kubuntu come on live CDs. That means he can try it before he installs anything. The live CD doesn't touch the hard drive until the partitioning phase of the installation. Even then no actual changes are made to the system until the last phase of the installation where you commit to installing Ubuntu. Another great thing about the Ubuntu installation is that there's only one reboot. When the installation is finished and the system is ready to use!
jeverettk Jan 30	Quote: this will probably be under review until january. then status will change to "not now" I certainly hope not. I'm getting my tax return check next week. As for jdecarie's comment that Ubuntu doesn't work with all "hardwares." Newsflash: Neither does Vista or XP or any other OS. That's why component mfr's make drivers. Dell has "partnerships" w/component mfr's. Mfr's could easily be convinced to open up driver source for use on Linux-based Dell PCs so as to practically eliminate the lead time for Linux driver development. Dell, flex that leverage. Get me a sweet deal on a high end entertainment PC, and make it cost way less than a Windows machine. That gets a pretty chunk of the rebate check. Make sure you have options for TV tuner (don't sweat it, I can make it work), Gigabit LAN, 500 Gb SATA HD, Core 2 Duo or AMD X2/X2+, 2-4G of RAM, high mem vid card, DVD RW w/ LS, 7.1 chan audio (and try not to make me use the headphone, jack), bundle a big widescreen with one of those sweet instant rebates (note: instant b/c I don't get mail delivery and mail-ins don't go to PO boxes), wireless b/g/n. If ubuntu doesn't run it, don't sweat it. I'll toss MythTVOS (a PCLinuxOS remaster) on it (and show you how you don't have to pay for Tivo service). Got root?
jeverettk Jan 30	Oh, and if you do all that, i'll point thousands of users your way.
hardawayd Feb 1	This is an obvious move by Dell to not make MS mad. Do it anyway Dell--the market will be with you. Make Ubuntu as visible as Microsoft---and make sure that the consumer knows that it comes with hundreds of applications ---unlike Mac and Windows.
jdelidc Feb 1	windows has more apps than any of them
aikiwolfie Feb 1	But Ubuntu literally has hundreds, if not thousands of apps available for free from it's repositories. Which is something neither OS X or Windows has. It's a massively under exploited resource that could save most PC users a small fortune in software. Granted not everything's as polished as you might find on Windows or OS X. But I've had my share of shiny slick apps that were bug ridden and crashed constantly. Roxio's software comes to mind here. What's important for me is, it work, it's usable and it does what it says on the tin.
zanlok Feb 1	people always whine that the hardware might not all be supported in linux. knoppix knocked that myth out of the water a long time ago.. booted just fine from CD on any computer I've ever tried.. Dell should be able to implement this with a little legwork at a minimum, this might force MS to compete with fairer pricing for those of us who do end up using their OS's
aikiwolfie Feb 1	In fairness to Dell they do seem to be working to implement Ubuntu better. It is a fact that some hardware just doesn't work at the moment in Linux. But most of it isn't critical. There are very few show stoppers in the Linux world today. My guess is Ubuntu will run just fine on anything Intel+Nvidia based.
pyloth Feb 14	It is just sad that they "tried" but are failing. There are no links on the main site for "n" series machines. Then even when you find them they are more expensive then buying a machine with XP/Vista. Apparently "Free dos" cost about $29 on the system I was(as in past tense) looking at. Kinda goes against the idea of free. It's been long enough now that if Dell was going to change it's way it would have. I was excited when they came out with the "n" series but sitting back and watching how this unfolded. So far has left a very bitter taste. P.S. Don't believe all the articles that you read about Dell's "improved" CS either. I have some personal experience there very recently. They have gained some but do not come close to the impressions that are being made by the media. SSDD
pyloth Feb 14	Sorry forgot to give my example. Look at a T3400 and a T3400n Precision workstation same configuration with just a $29 dollar difference. That's right just $29 for free dos.
aikiwolfie Feb 14	I think the price depends on the configuration and where you are in the world. When I was ordering my M1330n I checked out the same configuration with Vista and it was a few hundred pounds more than the Ubuntu version. The Ubuntu version is also a lot more configurable btw ;o)
netzdamon Feb 17	Yeah I had ordered a laptop from dell recently for someone and it took half the day just to find Ubuntu.
jctosu Feb 20	Yeah, I would definitely be more likely to buy another Dell if Ubuntu was on the list of operating systems to choose from.
newbs Feb 24	This is a nice idea. Would be nice to see it more prominently.
zanlok Feb 26	the key is the kickbacks from the other software. simple subsidy econ. nothing to do with Windows. at least with Ubuntu / FreeDOS, though, you aren't required to send money to Microsoft, which is the crux of many arguments.
hsuanyeh Feb 28	Software sales should not be bundled with the sales of hardware. Accordingly, building a PC (hardware) should not require selection of OS (software). Users should have the freedom of choosing, even hopping, among different Operating Systems. See, for example, http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/10077601/Network_Boot_Over_WAN_and_Soft...
zanlok Feb 28	well, when the bundling makes my windows PC cheaper, I don't mind at all
hsuanyeh Feb 28	zanlok - don't you know bundling windows with you PC will never make your PC cheaper?
howlingmadhowie Feb 29	zanlok: in the long run it will make windows cheaper, because microsoft will be forced to sell windows for its actual value, not the value they can impose through their monopoly. an example of this is that the office software department at microsoft had total sales of about 4 billion dollars last year of which pure profit was 3.5 billion. this means that in a free market office would cost about an eighth of its current price.
zanlok Feb 29	no no - that's not what I meant at all. I wasn't talking about windows. I am talking about the other software. it does make it cheaper for me because I don't ever add extra licensing, but the other companies promotional offers do help. that's why the Ubuntu systems are hardly any cheaper. again - that's why I don't mind.
howlingmadhowie Mar 3	zanlok: the problem with our conversation is of course that we have absolutely no idea how much windows adds to the price of a new computer. that is of course exactly how microsoft wants it. for all we know, it costs dell 200 dollars to offer windows and the kickbacks for the addware amounts to not more than 2 dollars and the uncertainty provides dell with an excuse to keep the price of ubuntu computers artificially high.
winoffice Mar 3	howlingmadhowie: "it costs dell 200 dollars to offer windows" I am afraid that that is not true. Since this idea is about "building a PC", it seems that the OEM Windows (and not the retail Windows) is relevant here. OEM Windows costs $199 at the most (the final price, that the users pay Dell). So that means that Dell pays Microsoft an amount that is smaller than that.
zanlok Mar 3	I am sure someone industrious enough (in espionage?) could tell us the "real" prices. The conspiracy that howling is talking about is no doubt something MS might engineer if they could; however, it still is NOT realistically addressing the issue that all of the other software most of us use on a computer cost WAY more than Windows itself. This is true even in the retain world with people who use Office, Symantec, Adobe, and Dell (saas) software. It is far more true in the Enterprise and Server world where we all use many more production softwares. Therefore, once again, back to Econ101, it really is the subsidation (from other software) that matters most! (not the OS cost itself)
dpic Mar 3	I haven't read all of the comments leading up to this but i think this is a great idea. I mean, i like that Dell has made a separate place dedicated to Ubuntu on the site...but the fact that it isn't on the list of operating systems people can choose from when buying a machine that supports it is disappointing. The one problem i could foresee with this is all the questions from consumers it could potentially raise. The most that will be necessary is adding entries to the FAQ. Also, selling Ubuntu in retail stores would give people the opportunity to have questions answered so i'm referring to an idea of mine - http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/103088/Get_GNULinux_Machines_in_Retail_...
airblazer Mar 4	So the Op who posted this fixed a virus problem by installing Ubuntu...way to go guru...anyone could have fixed it that way by installing xp/vista/win2000/suse/ubuntu etc. Why didn't you just remove the virus/update the antivirus rather than installing a new OS? Oh wait I know..because you wanted to force your choice of OS onto someone else..
zanlok Mar 4	^^^ that's pretty funny / cutting, actually :) kinda like some Mac nuts I know that are business owners, who insist on making their shops apple-only, including their web servers. So, it is a major hassle for most employees to get used to that OS, and a semi-major hassle for the website developers (like me) to get used to their wacky services (like FileMaker.)
dpic Mar 4	>>Why didn't you just remove the virus/update the antivirus rather than installing a new OS? >>Oh wait I know..because you wanted to force your choice of OS onto someone else.. and maybe because Ubuntu doesn't require any antivirus software because there are less vulnerabilities and when there are vulnerabilities they are fixed faster.....
airblazer Mar 10	He's supposed to be a tech.. when I fix pc's I give the customer what THEY want not what I think they should have.Big difference. In this case the Op is not much better than MS..both of them forcing their OS on consumers without asking if the consumer wanted it. I've no problem with Ubuntu..I use it myself as well as Suse and am now experimenting with OSX. It's just I think it's the consumer's choice in the end. It's this zealot attitude that gives Macboys and Linux guys a bad name.
winoffice Mar 10	airblazer: "Why didn't you just remove the virus/update the antivirus rather than installing a new OS? Oh wait I know..because you wanted to force your choice of OS onto someone else.." I agree with you. The IT worker decided to force his OS of choice on the PC of the client by installing Ubuntu, rather than just re-installing the original OS, or updating the ani-virus system, or trying to remove the virus directly.
madjr Mar 25	>"Oh wait I know..because you wanted to force your choice of OS onto someone else.." @winoffice isn't windows force into everybody, give me a break..
dwood Mar 25	@ madir lol I agree an OS should just be an environment for the APPLICATIONS we use, not our applications working in only one OS
sc3252 Mar 25	I agree, they need to stop hiding Ubuntu and actively promote it. They need to make sure to inform the user who is purchasing it that it is not windows and will not run windows applications though, since I can imagine people getting confused if not.
aikiwolfie Mar 26	Do people get confused about the Macs ability to run Windows applications?
dwood Mar 28	Actually, Linux can run Windows applications rather easily. It's not that hard to configure to work. pretty easy, actually.
tovare Apr 5	Getting ubuntu as a standard option in all countries (Especially Norway) is a great idea, and would solve a lot of the requests thousands of people has made in theese forums. Such as getting access to promotions etc. I'm not sure why there are so many requests for FreeDOS. Ubuntu at least is a more powerfull option than Windows XP and Vista in the sense that you can do a lot more with the computer right out of the box.
aikiwolfie Apr 5	Dell can solve this Ubuntu in every country issue by adding it to the OS list along with Windows on Ubuntu compatible hardware.
dwood Apr 5	Ubuntu is compatible with near-every non-proprietary hardware components out there.
dr_cerebro Apr 7	In September 2007, I asked via email if I could buy a Dell laptop with Ubuntu pre-installed, of a laptop without OS installed, in order to install Linux. I've bought previously 2 laptops to Dell's Mexican site. I waited for two weeks but never had an answer. I browse the site looking for the: "No Operating System" and it was not available. Neither the option "Buy an Ubuntu PC" I decided to buy a cheap Acer laptop, Linpus pre-installed to install Linux, in order to learn how to use it. I didn't even let that computer boot the first time, I inserted a Sabayon Linux LiveCD, and installed it. I've had several issues in that computer, every time I try a new distro, because Acer is Linux unfriendly (I didn't knew that when I bought it), but after spending a couple of hours browsing the internet I always make it work I think it would be a good idea to give the option "No operative system", to let us choose the specifications the machine we want to buy, and then we could install any distro we want.
tovare Apr 7	dr_cerebro, thanks for the warning about Acer. If Dell can't come up with an XPS with Ubuntu in Norway, I'll consider buying a Compal laptop, which is sold without OS here (Not sure which model, I'll probably spend several days searching usenet and www to find any hints that it will work or not before taking the risk) I'm currently running Ubuntu on my employers Lenovo T60 which works great, but this computer is outside my budget to purchase privately. There's allways an element of uncertanty when the OS isn't pre-installed, which is why I'm hoping for a Norwegian launch of the Dell XPS laptop with Ubuntu pre-installed.
champ Apr 8	Ok people, Anybody want to take this bet? I'll bet that we're going to get a "Reviewed" status, and the answer will basically be "No, you only get a couple Linux PCs hidden in a dark corner where nobody can find them". Ok, not exactly that, but look at this idea's resonse. It was pretty lame, and I guarantee that we'll get the same ol' lame, garbage response for this one too.
tholap Apr 12	When I bought my Inspiron 9400 sales statistics would show me as a windows user - as there was no Ubuntu choice then - yet I have been using Ubuntu for a couple years on that machine.and meanwhile even wiped the windows partition that I kept for dual booting for a while. I can understand if Dell wants to avoid customers accidentaly choosing Ubuntu mistaking it for some compatible windows choice - so it would be fine if after selecting Ubuntu there's be some sort of reasonable warning like "This OS is not compatible with MS Windows - Are you sure you want Ubuntu Linux?" - or some such. But it should be right next to Vista as an OS choice instead of hidden somewhere out of the way. And please widen the range of models - though my next Laptop will only be a Dell if the stupid keyboard gets changed back to the sensible one.

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