Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops • Hacker News Board

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#41

Post by user49598 » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 6:36 PM UTC

dfrey wrote: post #33

When Dell sold Linux laptops before, the problem was always that they treated the Linux version and the Windows version as a separate SKU. So you were buying the Dell Latitude 4100 Linux version or the Dell Latitude 4100 Windows version. You couldn't just go to the Dell Latitude 4100 web page and select Windows or Linux from the Operating System drop-down menu. The regular price of the Windows version would be $1000…

Bummer, but not a problem. They are different products targeting different markets. You don't want users being able to switch between windows or linux pre-installed via a simple interface. You want them to know exactly what they're doing. (Or in case they don't know what they're doing, you want them to buy windows)

Dell also needs to be able to promote their laptops using features of the OS, or software that comes with it. They also need to mark down the OS versions to coincide with promotions or market activity.

Plus, if you're a linux guy, and the windows version is cheaper, just buy that and get the ubuntu image or drivers from dell support. It's not like canonical is missing out on a sale.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#42

Post by user49598 » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 6:37 PM UTC

freehunter wrote: post #8

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.

I'm going to assume they mean they don't condone it. (possibly because of a licencing agreement with microsoft) Obviously if it is a computer, which i think it is, you will be able to install grub.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#43

Post by brudgers » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 6:42 PM UTC

A $1500 laptop with Linux is hardly a game changer.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#44

Post by mark_l_watson » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 6:45 PM UTC

user49598 wrote: post #39

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…

The majority of new laptops work out of the box with ubuntu 12.04. The driver complaint, while still fair in many cases, is not nearly as relevant as it used to be. Peripherals can be tough, but built-in hardware has come a long way. Also, IMHO, weather dell is doing exactly what you want or not, they are continuing to support freedom of choice, freedom of software, and the hacker community in general. I commend them…

I agree. I have installed 12.04 on an old i5 Toshiba u505 and a 13" MacBook Pro (wiped OS X since I have OS X on my Air, and an old backup MacBook).

I don't remember having any problems.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#45

Post by leviathant » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 6:46 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…

>If Dell's Windows installs are any indication, that means it's going to be loaded with crapware or custom non-OSS drivers.

I don't know how long it's been since you've bought a Dell Win PC, but they aren't 'loaded' with crapware, not like it used to be. I just got an XPS 8300 from the Outlet, and all I had to do was remove McAffee and the Dell Support Suite. I went into Add/Remove Programs, uninstalled each, and shortly thereafter, it might as well have been a fresh install of Windows.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#46

Post by nubela » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 7:02 PM UTC

1080p screen on a 13" lcd and you got me. god. i'm a programmer and i like my fonts crisp.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#47

Post by michaelbuckbee » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 7:03 PM UTC

Dell's commitment to Ubuntu seems to extend only to the extent that it offers them a bargaining chip with Microsoft.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#48

Post by sounds » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 7:05 PM UTC

freehunter wrote: post #8

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.

The BIOS. Specifically, the installation of Microsoft's signing key in UEFI secure boot - which requires the other parts (drivers, specifically) of the UEFI BIOS are signed with Microsoft's key as well.

Windows 8 is "theoretically" only bootable when secure boot is turned on.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#49

Post by AllTheThings » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 7:14 PM UTC

At first I thought this sort of thing would be perfect for a student market, but then I looked at the price. The price point is just too high. I'd love to see something cheaper targeting Engineering students. At this price, if I were a student, I may as well wait for a decent internship and buy an MBP.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#50

Post by joezydeco » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 7:18 PM UTC

user49598 wrote: post #39

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…

The majority of new laptops work out of the box with ubuntu 12.04. The driver complaint, while still fair in many cases, is not nearly as relevant as it used to be. Peripherals can be tough, but built-in hardware has come a long way. Also, IMHO, weather dell is doing exactly what you want or not, they are continuing to support freedom of choice, freedom of software, and the hacker community in general. I commend them…

So, and I'm honestly curious here because I'm in the market, what is the best Linux laptop out there?

I hear people swoon over a particular Lenovo/Thinkpad model, but have no idea which one it is.