Ubuntu-powered Dell XPS M1330 now available in the States

Everything's free in America, for a small fee in America! Or something like that. Don't mind us. Dell is shipping its XPS M1330 laptop with a DVD-playing version of Ubuntu 7.10 pre-installed in the States now, exactly as promised. Everybody else got this about a week ago, but we're not bitter: the $954 US starting price sure beats the 799 Euros those suckers over there have to drop.

[Thanks, Nigel]

[mike k. @ Jan 31st 2008 9:36AM]

Why can't it play DVD's with the regular operating system? Isn't there DVD playback software for ubuntu that you don't have to pay for?

[Carbonize @ Jan 31st 2008 9:43AM]

Yes - VLC. SO how much will Dell knock off if I don't want DVD playback?

Better yet how much for the system without the OS installed? I'm quite happy to install Ubuntu myself rather than pay Dell about $50 to have someone install it for me.

[mike k. @ Jan 31st 2008 9:47AM]

I guess if its cheaper than its Vista counterparts we're at least getting some sort of OS tax break....

[MooseMuffin @ Jan 31st 2008 10:27AM]

Theres plenty of linux software that will playback dvds, but only if you have the necessary dvd libraries. They don't come with the free OS because they're copyrighted, so you have to get them on your own which is technically illegal in the US.

Dell is apparently including them the same way that windows does, by adding it to the cost of the laptop.

[mike k. @ Jan 31st 2008 11:39AM]

ahha that makes much more sense now thats moose

[jeesusfreek @ Jan 31st 2008 9:42AM]

I would like it in red with Ubuntu.

*closes eyes and wishes.....really hard*

[Carbonize @ Jan 31st 2008 9:44AM]

Just need a screwdriver and a spray can of red paint.

[jeesusfreek @ Jan 31st 2008 9:52AM]

yes sir - 8 years modding xbox's and paint jobs, light jobs, etc has served me well!

finally, a little pay off for all those slashed up hands from cutting TOWARDS myself with a razor.

[tuaamin13 @ Jan 31st 2008 9:45AM]

The laptop still seems expensive. Doesn't Dell have $499 models? And that includes Windows.

[jeesusfreek @ Jan 31st 2008 9:59AM]

it's a kick-ass XPS! regular laptops with dual-core celeron processors are of the $499 variety.

$954 is CHEAPER than the most basic XPS M1330 with windows

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1330?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

[Derek @ Jan 31st 2008 10:53AM]

considering the specs on the 1330 it's a damn good deal.

[evengrift @ Jan 31st 2008 9:54AM]

Too bad, all they did was rip-off ubuntu users who already figured out what did and didn't work with readily available drivers. If they couldn't find it in the 5 minutes they put into building their distribution they just don't offer that functionality. Want Ubunutu AND N wireless? Too bad. Want Ubuntu and the fingerprint reader? The Blu-ray? Too Bad Too Bad.

You're honestly better off buying the M1330 through their Windows channel and doing it yourself. You can't even get either of the two fastest processors or separate video if you go this way!

[CosterMonger @ Jan 31st 2008 10:55AM]

this is a another big step for Linux
personally I don't have a problem with doing the multi-boot thing instead

windows fanboys just don't seem to understand why people don't want to be dependent on just one company, mac fanboys don't understand why they don't just buy a mac.
LINUX & BSD are here to stay, be glad when your windows goes FUBAR you have a tools like live-CDs.

[Carbonize @ Jan 31st 2008 11:12AM]

You mean like my Windows XP Live CD?

[Allen Farris @ Jan 31st 2008 12:33PM]

They did however remove the nvidia gs8400m video card as an option, which works in ubuntu because my m1330 with ubuntu works :).

[CosterMonger @ Jan 31st 2008 2:26PM]

@Carbonize

yeah... BartPE?
or just WindowsPE?

[Carbonize @ Jan 31st 2008 3:43PM]

BartPE but I was being sarcastic about your comment making it look like you could only get Linux based Live CDs. I also have a copy of Knoppix, UBCD and Ubuntu.

[Frank @ Jan 31st 2008 9:56AM]

$1000 is a lot for a laptop that can't run 95% of software out in the market.

[Jagannath A @ Jan 31st 2008 10:03AM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiot

[Frank @ Jan 31st 2008 10:45AM]

Engagdet should really start filtering out kids and morons like "Jagannath A". Learn to defend your opinion like a man, moron.

[3rdsun @ Jan 31st 2008 10:49AM]

wwiki/idiot LOL

[Khris @ Jan 31st 2008 11:09AM]

The people who need to be filtered out are the ones like you Frank!

WTF are you talking about? "can't run 95% of the software out in the market"

[Carbonize @ Jan 31st 2008 11:17AM]

I think he's on about the fact that most software is written for Windows. But he seems unaware there are plenty of programs out there for Linux. I don't think there is anything you can do on Windows that cannot also be done on Linux. I mean don't get me wrong, you have more choice on Windows and are more likely to find a program that exactly suits your needs but you will find a program to do the job on Linux.

Need an office suite? Use Open Office.
Need a multimedia player? Use VLC.
Need a syntax highlighting text editor? Use Bluefish.
Need a messenger? Use Pidgin.

Funny thing is all these program are also available for Windows.

[Frank @ Jan 31st 2008 12:13PM]

Carbonize, yes you're right... but there is still a lot of software that canot be run on Linux... not to mention games. I'm sure everyone at their jobs uses software that cannot be run on Linux.

[Khris @ Jan 31st 2008 12:45PM]

I could literally switch my work laptop to Linux today and not have any problems because anything that I couldn't run natively on it (or an equivalent such as Open Office), I could Remote Desktop into a Windows machine and run it there.

You're an idiot Frank. Take the time to stop and look at Linux before you go bashing it with your uninformed opinions.

I'm actually excited about learning more and more in the hopes of dumping Windows completely, or at least moving it to a Virtual machine within Linux. I don't recall the last time I got excited about Windows!

[MooseMuffin @ Jan 31st 2008 12:54PM]

I've been running linux at home exclusively for months now. I can still remote desktop to my windows work machine if I'm working from home, and wine plays portal/tf2/WoW just fine under linux. Anyone buying one of these ubuntu laptops likely knows what they're getting into anyway.

[Frank @ Jan 31st 2008 1:30PM]

You are morons. You're not suppose to get excited about a fucking OS. It's an OS, thats it. Get over it, you freaks.

[Philth @ Jan 31st 2008 1:57PM]

it's not just an OS. it's a community. get involved.

[Khris @ Jan 31st 2008 2:02PM]

Frank, it's such a shame that the best part of you ran down your mother's chin.

Since you're obviously not intelligent enough, or open-minded enough to look at the big picture here, you should just do yourself a favour and unplug your computer now. You are not qualified to use anything beyond a Commodore 64 (and that might even be difficult for you).

Next time, obey the Deep End sign of the gene pool and try not to drown.

[Chebwa @ Jan 31st 2008 2:16PM]

"Frank, it's such a shame that the best part of you ran down your mother's chin."

His mom got pregnant through her mouth?

[Calviin @ Jan 31st 2008 2:17PM]

You do seem to be the one who needs to calm down here, Frank. There is a Linux program called Wine. I lets you run Windows programs. Case closed. I have a laptop at home with XP on it and a desktop with Ubuntu on it. Games run great on both of them.

[Mike @ Jan 31st 2008 2:24PM]

The key word in that sentence is 'market'. Most linux software is open source and free, and theres usually a free alternative to the commercial software out there - e.g. OpenOffice. And thats ignoring Wine, which can emulate most Windows software if you really have to have it. I use Ubuntu practically all the time now, I got sick of spyware/virii and hundreds of uneccecary background processes, made the switch, and its a revelation. I don't have any problems with MS documents from work, media playback is perfect, and software installtion is a cinch (theres DEB packages for most things). You may not have tried it at all/for a while, but it really was no more hassle to set up than XP.
I could turn your argument on its head and say 95% of free software isn't available on windows!

[wittepens @ Jan 31st 2008 10:10AM]

Europeans are always getting ripped off these days ffs.

$ 954 == € 643.75 != €799

Dear God i honestly hate this.

[Rob @ Jan 31st 2008 10:27AM]

Well, thank your EU governments for the high imports tariffs. Similar nonsense happens when we get Japanese-made goods. I bought a guitar for $1400 in Japan, and it costs $1800 in the States. So, if you want something made elsewhere, we have to pay the piper. Crappy deal, I know.

[SuperQ @ Jan 31st 2008 11:07AM]

Yup, Thank the VAT, and other import fees.

[John @ Jan 31st 2008 11:54AM]

you missed some math: My undertstanding is that taxes are included in pricing in the UK, while here in the US and Canada, we pay extra taxes on top of the listed price. Also, keep in mind that taxes in the UK are higher (as they are here in Canada) because we get nice little things like Public Health Care and the likes.
After all is said and done, it's a bit more money to purchase in the UK, but not nearly the gap you suggest.

[lanemeyer67ss @ Jan 31st 2008 10:19AM]

I just priced out identical systems:

Vista - $1554
Ubuntu - $1909

The Ubuntu version is more expensive because they're not offering the same $799 discount on the Windows version. If Dell honored the same discount, it would come to a savings of $444.

Also, with Ubuntu you cannot get wireless N or fingerprint scanner.

[Mrs K @ Jan 31st 2008 12:35PM]

What's really weird is that if you order this from the UK site you can choose the fingerprint scanner. It cost £60 extra (unlike being free for windows peeps) but you can get it. We can also choose from 3 different colours whereas the US site only shows one color.

Once you add the fingerprint scanner the Ubuntu system is the same spec and costs £10 more but as you get the choice of having the fingerprint scanner the cheapest Ubuntu M1330 is cheaper than the cheapest Windows one.

[pigfister @ Jan 31st 2008 10:54AM]

about time. now we have the choice not to pay for an operating system and choose from the few great ones.

[Frank @ Jan 31st 2008 11:06AM]

Windows is your master. Love your master or starve, you retards. Linux lovers are losers...there's a reason why geeks get beat up in school.

[Khris @ Jan 31st 2008 11:13AM]

Please see my previous comment about having you filtered out.

Better yet, send me your Parents name and phone number so I can call them and tell them you're being a fuckwad and they're idiots for buying you a computer.

[Ivan @ Jan 31st 2008 12:32PM]

Thats rather strange,I love Linux and at my school people respect me as the in-house computer expert and usually come to me for help.
Ive never been beat up or disrespected because of my interest in Linux.
It would be appreciated if you could refrain from generalizing and provoking

[Joe @ Jan 31st 2008 11:38AM]

The price is deceiving, because with the seemingly permanent instant savings, the Vista m1330 is MUCH cheaper when you select the loaded model. Check it out......

[CanCar @ Jan 31st 2008 12:25PM]

Only two question: if I have Ubuntu I can send files of Word or Excel for somebody who has Windows? it could open without problems?

[Ivan @ Jan 31st 2008 12:35PM]

OpenOffice can read/write Word and Exel files without a problem. The only trick is when you dave you have to make sure to chose the .doc format because it defaults to .odt

[emerika @ Jan 31st 2008 12:51PM]

Unless the add:

1. Wireless N
2. the NVIDIA option
3. fingerprint reader

I'm not buying it. It's really annoying to make a Linux option and then do a bad job of it.

--sigh--

[Protoz @ Jan 31st 2008 1:01PM]

It looks like they are only shipping it with Ubuntu 32-bit because there is a disclaimer on having 4GB of memory installed.

Install 64-bit! There is really no need to keep holding it back.

[Maarten @ Jan 31st 2008 1:07PM]

On the other hand, getting it overthere for $954 is getting it elcheapo for us Europeans! But it's a bad comparison because eventhough we pay more if you convert it to Euro's. In the States you can do about as much for a Dollar as we can do for a Euro.

If you take that into account it still is cheaper for us, and even more so when we get stuff out of the states. If you run into trouble with the machine. Dell still has to help you, just say you bought it when you worked in the US for a couple of months if they try to argue that you bought it in the US and aren't eligable for warranty outside the US. That usually works, or has worked for me in the past.

[Eric Walker @ Jan 31st 2008 1:09PM]

hmm I am making a comment just so I get comment reminders...

thanks have a nice day.

[Andir3.0 @ Jan 31st 2008 1:42PM]

You only get comment reminders if someone posts a reply to your comment, like this. Unless Engadget changed something while I wasn't looking.