I wonder if this actions is a result of a need to diversify just in case Windows declines much more rapidly than expected? Hedging their bets if you will.
Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
31–40 of 149 posts
Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
#32This 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…
> George said the laptop won’t be able to dual boot Windows. But Dell made available an Ubuntu install image customized for the XPS13, so you could buy the Windows version and install Ubuntu yourself if you require dual booting.
They probably don't mean the laptop "can't dual-boot Windows," but that it requires extra steps in deleting Linux, installing Windows, then installing Linux.
Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
#33When 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 and the Linux version would be $930. The thing is, nobody buys Dell products at full price. They wait for the sale. The Windows versions would be on sale all the time and the Linux ones never were, so the Windows version was often actually cheaper than the Linux version.
Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
#34Why 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.
Hi,
I lived in China (Dalian), and laptops are sold with FreeDOS. It's mainly used to boot and to make sure the laptop is working. And to check that you get what you paid for!
People who can pay for Windows don't live in China, that's why :) (well of course a minority can, but they don't buy their laptops in the same stores...).
In US/CA/EU/Japan I think everybody can afford to pay the little extra for a windows licence.
Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
#35This 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/
i love zareason and system76, but neither of them ship an ultrabook yet, although i sincerely hope they are working on it
Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
#36What is the battery life going to be like? I grudgingly installed Windows 7 on my (Lenovo) laptop after using Unix exclusively for 15 years simply because the battery lasts twice as long on Windows.
For what it's worth, I bought a Dell Inspiron Mini 10v with Ubuntu Hardy preinstalled 2.5 years ago. It didn't suspend/resume properly and video out was flaky. It died after two years of use (with strange electrical problems). I don't think I'll buy a Dell in the future.
Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
#37A "developer edition" laptop with 1366x768 resolution?
Exactly my thought. When Dell launched it's survey, devs were screaming for 4:3 high dpi screen. Basically that survey was useless.
Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
#38This 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…
"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."
Well, the first thing I want is for it to just work. Sleep/Wake should just work. The trackpad should just work. Etc. Oh, and it should all work well.
After that I would love to be able to install some other version of linux and have it just work, but having a Dell version that just works is a big improvement over things not just working.
Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
#39This 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 for the effort, and would love to see other vendors follow suit.
Re: Ubuntu is coming back to Dell Laptops
#40Why 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 would assume that if dell had an easy way to get a laptop with no operating system, it would be a support and consumer trust nightmare. They would then need to support how to install an operating system for every customer, as that's the only thing you'd be able to do when you bought your system.
If the os comes pre-installed, they only have to support drivers, and hackers like you or i can strip it if we want at our own risk.