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Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

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Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#11

Post by fierarul »

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.

The OP's argument is precisely about the fact that they shouldn't provide any ISO at all!

Just make sure your ultrabook is Ubuntu-certified or something and let people install the official version.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#12

Post by fierarul »

dkhenry wrote: post #5

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.

In Romania a lot of the laptops come with FreeDOS so there is no Windows tax. Of course, these are usually the cheapest ones since it's expected that people will install pirated Windows.

Although they come with FreeDOS, this is not a signal the hardware is Linux compatible.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#13

Post by dchest »

dkhenry wrote: post #5

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.

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.

There is, that's why some computers come with FreeDOS.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#14

Post by fbuilesv »

dkhenry wrote: post #5

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.

I don't know what the current situation is for Dell, but a couple of years ago I worked at a company that sold laptops like this, mostly targeted towards businesses but ocasionally catering to regular users. The moment they saw a cheaper option of the same laptop (no OS pre-installed) they went for that and then came bitching the same day that their computer wouldn't boot.

I imagine Dell must suffer from the same problem on their online stores.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#15

Post by dkhenry »

dchest wrote: post #13
dkhenry wrote: post #5

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.

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. There is, that's why some computers come with FreeDOS.

Even with FreeDOS why can' I get that option on _all_ computers. And lets say there are some hardware concerns with FreeDOS why not just ship it with no OS at all ?

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#16

Post by dkhenry »

dchest wrote: post #13
dkhenry wrote: post #5

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.

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. There is, that's why some computers come with FreeDOS.

Even with FreeDOS why can' I get that option on _all_ computers. And lets say there are some hardware concerns with FreeDOS why not just ship it with no OS at all ?

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#17

Post by dkhenry »

dchest wrote: post #13
dkhenry wrote: post #5

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.

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. There is, that's why some computers come with FreeDOS.

Even with FreeDOS why can' I get that option on _all_ computers. And lets say there are some hardware concerns with FreeDOS why not just ship it with no OS at all ?

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#18

Post by dkhenry »

dchest wrote: post #13
dkhenry wrote: post #5

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.

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. There is, that's why some computers come with FreeDOS.

Even with FreeDOS why can' I get that option on _all_ computers. And lets say there are some hardware concerns with FreeDOS why not just ship it with no OS at all ?

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#19

Post by dkhenry »

dchest wrote: post #13
dkhenry wrote: post #5

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.

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. There is, that's why some computers come with FreeDOS.

Even with FreeDOS why can' I get that option on _all_ computers. And lets say there are some hardware concerns with FreeDOS why not just ship it with no OS at all ?

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#20

Post by dkhenry »

dchest wrote: post #13
dkhenry wrote: post #5

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.

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. There is, that's why some computers come with FreeDOS.

Even with FreeDOS why can' I get that option on _all_ computers. And lets say there are some hardware concerns with FreeDOS why not just ship it with no OS at all ?
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