Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops • Hacker News Board

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#21

Post by sankara » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:33 PM UTC

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 think it's all about demand. You can compare the following two links for yourself. It's really easy to get a laptop without any OS in India.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/OasYWz

Flipkart: http://bit.ly/Q72mcV

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#22

Post by dllthomas » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:36 PM UTC

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.

My understanding is that the big problem is that the pre-loaded crapware on a Windows PC pays more than Windows costs (in bulk license deals for resellers). In that case just selling it with a wiped disk would be more expensive, not less.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#23

Post by glesica » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:38 PM UTC

fierarul wrote: post #11

krakensden wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

They could just get the hardware Ubuntu certified, literally. It might actually cost Dell less, too. Of course everyone wants their own "ecosystem", so maybe they'd rather just lose the customers if they can't lock them in.

http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#24

Post by dignan » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:40 PM UTC

andrewvc wrote: post #2

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

Maybe you're not the target audience then? This seems to be targeted at a relatively specific group of people.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#25

Post by Kjeldahl » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:41 PM UTC

Good luck with that Dell. 1366x768 resolution and Sandy Bridge chipset (Intel HD3000), launching soon? It doesn't become a developer laptop just because you've decided to call it that. You need a high DPI screen, and today it also needs Ivy Bridge with Intel HD4000 (or better).

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#26

Post by brennenHN » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:42 PM UTC

Will Newegg let you return these?

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#27

Post by glesica » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:42 PM UTC

cnlwsu wrote: post #7

A "developer edition" laptop with 1366x768 resolution?

This is why I won't buy a machine from one of the many fine vendors that sell laptops with Linux pre-loaded. In virtually all cases (that I've seen) you have to choose between a low-resolution screen and paying $2,000 or more.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#28

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:51 PM UTC

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.

[deleted]

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#29

Post by praxulus » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:54 PM UTC

dllthomas wrote: post #22

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.

My understanding is that the big problem is that the pre-loaded crapware on a Windows PC pays more than Windows costs (in bulk license deals for resellers). In that case just selling it with a wiped disk would be more expensive, not less.

I have also heard this. If you're going to install something new anyway, you're just letting them subsidize your new computer. I don't have a problem with this.

Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops

#30

Post by rbanffy » Wed, Jul 18, 2012, 5:58 PM UTC

That's an odd to say. I bought my v131 in March and it came preinstalled with Linux. Dell web store shows a couple machines being sold with Linux.

Of course, the pages show "Dell recommends Windows® 7" because by doing this their OEM licenses cost a little bit less.

The laptops are at http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/laptops.aspx?c=us&l=en...