I'm as big a fan of Ubuntu as anyone, and I'm glad to see Dell supporting a MS alternative. However, the absence of a fully supported Linux version of iTunes prevents me from adopting Ubuntu as my primary operating system.
Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
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Re: Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
#12I'm as big a fan of Ubuntu as anyone, and I'm glad to see Dell supporting a MS alternative. However, the absence of a fully supported Linux version of iTunes prevents me from adopting Ubuntu as my primary operating system.
Run a VM with Windows just for iTunes.
Re: Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
#13Surprised Dell is so enthusiastic as some of the claims aren't quite the whole truth... Like stating that openoffice is not available in windows, or that MS Office formats are fully supported. Regardless, I get more and more respect for Dell as they continue to embrace MS alternatives.
Yeah, I noticed that too... apparently, Dell's not counting on their Windows customers being able to find OpenOffice or GIMP on their own. If I were them, I would have also mentioned "easy, automatic updates of your installed programs".
The layout is a bit ambiguous, but this chart may fall under reason #1, whose description contains the text "comes pre-loaded with". Perhaps Dell is claiming that this functionality is available out of the box.
In the chart, Dell includes "Microsoft Office" under the Windows column, but you can indeed order a Dell with MS Office preloaded, so that would be fair.
Re: Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
#14Their list isn't compelling. Especially for a mainstream consumer. The list basically argues that Ubuntu doesn't suck. Most of the topics try to position Ubuntu as comparable to Windows. Being comparable isn't going to motivate a consumer to switch. Especially when they have been using Windows for xx years.
Too much selling features, not enough selling benefits.
Re: Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
#15Hmm, arguing GNU/Linux is better than Windows on security is passé. Torvalds too often dismisses security bugs.
Any os that has a software repository(with sources) is going to be inherently more secure. If novice users only get their software from APT then they will be eliminating a whole slew of exploits that could infect their computer. In this regard, Ubuntu is lightyears more secure than Windows.
well, you should say, any os with a _responsibly_ _managed_ software repository ...
Re: Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
#16Their list isn't compelling. Especially for a mainstream consumer. The list basically argues that Ubuntu doesn't suck. Most of the topics try to position Ubuntu as comparable to Windows. Being comparable isn't going to motivate a consumer to switch. Especially when they have been using Windows for xx years. Too much selling features, not enough selling benefits.
It's free. When that's your starting point, "it doesn't suck" is pretty compelling.
Re: Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
#17Hmm, arguing GNU/Linux is better than Windows on security is passé. Torvalds too often dismisses security bugs.
Not an expert on windows security, but the traditional answer is the fundamental user handling in Unix solves a lot of problems. I admit ignorance to the validity of the claim, a detailed comparison would be appreciated.
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Re: Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
#18Hmm, arguing GNU/Linux is better than Windows on security is passé. Torvalds too often dismisses security bugs.
Any os that has a software repository(with sources) is going to be inherently more secure. If novice users only get their software from APT then they will be eliminating a whole slew of exploits that could infect their computer. In this regard, Ubuntu is lightyears more secure than Windows.
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Re: Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
#19The validity (or compellingness) of that list aside, the copywriting is atrocious. It makes me feel like Dell (or at least their marketing department) is only paying lip service to Linux - I could never imagine that quality of writing showing up anywhere else in their advertising.
Re: Dell's list of why to buy one with Ubuntu
#20"Depending upon the Dell computer your purchase, boot times can be around 30 seconds!"
I'm always slightly embarrassed to read exclamations like this knowing it'll wind up as the laughing stock of Reddit/HN in ten years' time.