Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#1

Post by _asuk » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 4:27 PM UTC

Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
techcrunch.com

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#2

Post by andrewvc » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 4:41 PM UTC

The problem I have here is price. This just doesn't undercut an mbp, and it would have to to get me to buy it

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#3

Post by acabal » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 4:51 PM UTC

This is a good idea in theory but potentially bad in execution.

What I'd like (and I suspect many other developers would too) is a nice laptop that I can install Linux on, and have it Just Work.

What it looks like Dell is providing is a nice laptop, but with a custom build of Ubuntu installed. If Dell's Windows installs are any indication, that means it's going to be loaded with crapware or custom non-OSS drivers. This is just speculation, but the fact that you can't dual-boot Windows on it is a big hint. Who knows what crapware they're going to load up on it, and then you'll be tied to their special brand of Ubuntu if you want upgrades or support.

What Dell should do instead is work with hardware manufacturers to iron out Linux driver bugs for just one nice laptop. Then sell that laptop with a stock Ubuntu build and let developers go to town. I'd pay a lot of money for something like that. Instead, today I have to buy a cheap Dell laptop, install Ubuntu, and deal with the driver headaches that exist to this day. (And don't tell me Linux is a magical fairy land because it Works For You, because it doesn't Just Work for me. It hasn't for years and it still doesn't today.)

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#4

Post by krakensden » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 4:58 PM UTC

acabal wrote: post #3

This is a good idea in theory but potentially bad in execution. What I'd like (and I suspect many other developers would too) is a nice laptop that I can install Linux on, and have it Just Work. What it looks like Dell is providing is a nice laptop, but with a custom build of Ubuntu installed. If Dell's Windows installs are any indication, that means it's going to be loaded with crapware or custom non-OSS drivers. Th…

they provide an iso that will Just Work(tm) on their 13 inch ultrabook today.

They look nice, maybe you should get one.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#5

Post by dkhenry » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:03 PM UTC

Why can't I just get any computer with no operating system installed whatsoever. This isn't rocket science here, just format the hard drive and give me the computer. Then subtract the money you pay Microsoft for the windows license. If there is some contractual obligation Dell has with Microsoft to not do this then we need to start considering another round of antitrust proceedings.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#6

Post by pessimizer » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:04 PM UTC

I'm posting from one of their old ones right now, and I hope they do a better job this time. Bug city last time, and took a lot of work and a lot of time to pass (and a switch to Debian unstable) to make it completely workable.

I don't know how you ship laptops where the headphone jacks don't work and every update borks the sound completely unless you want them to fail. Did they not have anybody actually turn one on before selling them on their website?

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#7

Post by cnlwsu » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:13 PM UTC

A "developer edition" laptop with 1366x768 resolution?

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#8

Post by freehunter » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:14 PM UTC

Okay, how exactly is it not able to dual boot Windows? What is keeping it from being Windows compatible? It seems like an extreme situation where an x86 would be Linux-compatible but not be able to run Windows as well.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#9

Post by acabal » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:18 PM UTC

krakensden wrote: post #4

acabal wrote: post #3

This is a good idea in theory but potentially bad in execution. What I'd like (and I suspect many other developers would too) is a nice laptop that I can install Linux on, and have it Just Work. What it looks like Dell is providing is a nice laptop, but with a custom build of Ubuntu installed. If Dell's Windows installs are any indication, that means it's going to be loaded with crapware or custom non-OSS drivers. Th…

they provide an iso that will Just Work(tm) on their 13 inch ultrabook today. They look nice, maybe you should get one.

Yeah but that's the problem... I don't want a special mystery Dell ISO, I want to use stock Ubuntu and have it Just Work. Using Dell's ISO locks you in to that certain image (upgrades are very likely dependent on Dell), it locks you in to Dell support (good luck posting in the Ubuntu forums about your super-special Dell ISO), and it almost certainly means they're not contributing back to the OSS community (though that's not so much a pain point as it is a general gripe).

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#10

Post by acdanger » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:21 PM UTC

acabal wrote: post #3

This is a good idea in theory but potentially bad in execution. What I'd like (and I suspect many other developers would too) is a nice laptop that I can install Linux on, and have it Just Work. What it looks like Dell is providing is a nice laptop, but with a custom build of Ubuntu installed. If Dell's Windows installs are any indication, that means it's going to be loaded with crapware or custom non-OSS drivers. Th…

I'm wondering if these might be a better route than what Dell is proposing: http://zareason.com/shop/Laptops/