Dell shows its love for Linux, rolls Ubuntu 8.04 out to systems

Aw, aren't these two just as cute as a button together? We can almost see Dell gushing at the thought of rolling Ubuntu out in a pair of new machines early next month. Nah, we didn't just fabricate that -- the Ubuntu 8.04-powered XPS M1530N and Studio 15N should be available in a matter of weeks, and in the meantime, you open source aficionados can enjoy Hardy Heron as a pre-installed option on the XPS M1330N, Inspiron 1525N and Inspiron 530N. Hit the read link for purchase options in your country.

[Via TG Daily]

[Hellios @ Jul 18th 2008 3:14PM]

I love Linux shipped with computers, that way I don't have to pay for the license for an OS I will never ever use. I'd rather buy an extra battery or a mouse for that money or just buy the computer cheaper.

[Pochi @ Jul 18th 2008 3:22PM]

A mouse?

[Kamokazi @ Jul 18th 2008 3:23PM]

Except for the fact that most manufacturers so far have charged the same price and pocketed the difference. You're further ahead to get one with Windows, nuke it and put the Linux distro of your choosing on, and have better resale value later with the Windows license.

[Hellios @ Jul 18th 2008 3:24PM]

@Pochi
Yes, laptop trackpads kill a part of me every time I use them.

[urandom @ Jul 18th 2008 3:33PM]

@Kamokazi

True, Windows and Linux laptops are generally at the same price. This is most likely because of: 1. Preinstalled crapware reduces the already low price of an OEM windows license. 2. While linux is free, it is a new thing, which has probably required (and will continue to require for new hardware) some R&D, as well as people that have to actually install and support it. That costs money.

Buying a windows, and nuking it for linux isn't a smart idea, since Dell might get the idea that people don't want linux, thus nuking the whole initiative (instead of pushing forward with it). Also, with linux preinstalled, you will already know that all hardware components are supported, instead of wildly guessing.

[Silvio @ Jul 19th 2008 3:44AM]

@urandom
My thoughts exactly.
If people just buy the Windows laptops and put Linux on them Dell will probably stop selling and supporting Linux on their laptops.
In the end that will only make it harder to have Linux on your laptop (ie: if your hardware isn't supported there is no reasons to make Linux drivers for it.)

[Silvio @ Jul 19th 2008 3:44AM]

@urandom
My thoughts exactly.
If people just buy the Windows laptops and put Linux on them Dell
will probably stop selling and supporting Linux on their laptops.
In the end that will only make it harder to have Linux on your laptop
(ie: if your hardware isn't supported there is no reasons to make
Linux drivers for it.)

[NHAnimator @ Jul 18th 2008 3:14PM]

I'd like the 30-day support option please. And I'd like to pay for it over the next 32+ months.

[ybd @ Jul 18th 2008 3:18PM]

How the hell do these prices work? It makes no sense at all!

[Donielle @ Jul 18th 2008 3:20PM]

Wow support cost alot of money $275 for just support i mean come on the OS is free.

[Electromodo @ Jul 18th 2008 3:23PM]

That is how you make money on free software. You make them on support.

[Pochi @ Jul 18th 2008 3:24PM]

It's also a total fucking pain in the ass for the majority of people using it. Can you imagine helping a new user install a wireless adapter in Linux over the PHONE?

Shit, I'd charge an even G for that.

[Kamokazi @ Jul 18th 2008 3:29PM]

Initialization costs. Let's say it costs $10M to develop a training program to train support techs for an operating system. You sell 1M windows computers and 100,000 Linux comptuers.

Which one is more expensive?


Now those numbers are no where near accurate, but it puts it into perspective. You don't just pay an extra support person, you have to develop a training program for them, keep it updated, etc. Divide that out over a MUCH smaller user base, and cost per user is much higher.

But yes, they also make money that way. Just not as much as you would think. I really doubt they make much of anything off Windows sales unless you pay to upgrade.

[doomster @ Jul 18th 2008 3:22PM]

Haven't dell done this before with Linux (RedHat / Fedora??)

It's sweet that they are offering this, I'd personally prefer to see opensuse on there, but hey, switching a distro is no big deal...

... hang on a minute, this is a engadget comment, what am I thinking!!!

Buy an iphone, it does all this already and PCs suck.

First! no I mean Second, no I mean will it run crysis?

[Macro @ Jul 18th 2008 3:35PM]

No I'm first you should be banned geez!
I agree with them pocketing the difference or at least a big portion of it. But on a more serious note.. how do these play games compared to the same system with XP/Vista?

@ybd I assume the price/month is over the life of the payment plan and not for the year of support.

[Anton @ Jul 18th 2008 3:28PM]

nice!

[zargon @ Jul 18th 2008 3:30PM]

I just installed Ubuntu on my new Thinkpad, I haven't really used Ubuntu, but it was an absolute treat to install. I have been a linux user for a long time and was actually going to install Gentoo, but I just wasn't in the mood for messing around with it to get it to work the way I wanted (that is what my server is for). With Gentoo, I also figured it would suck to wait for stuff to compile on a latop, though I still like the emerge system the best. I also tried Debian since I didn't want to be one of those "Ubuntu" users, but that also led to tinkering I didn't feel like doing.

So I just sucked it up and installed Ubuntu and I am glad I did, I got everything I need working out of the gate. I just need to tweak a few extras that the Thinkpad has, but that isn't a big deal.

[Macro @ Jul 18th 2008 3:37PM]

Yeah Ubuntu is so easy even an infant could do it. You would think after being around for 20+ years microsoft would be able to do something similar but they each want different things i suppose $$. But i love the package manager it's simply amazing!

[BratPAQ @ Jul 18th 2008 3:34PM]

i guess if you cant sell PC with winXP anymore and buyers hate vista, so whats left? linux.

[xor24 @ Jul 18th 2008 3:42PM]

or unix not that there is that big of a difference

[Silvio @ Jul 19th 2008 3:44AM]

MAC OS
Solaris
Plan 9
Free BSD
Free DOS

[jkr @ Jul 18th 2008 3:35PM]

I think it's disturbing that Dell is selling a product that they won't provide technical support for. Is that even legal, because as good as Linux is, it's not bullet proof.

[Superevil @ Jul 18th 2008 3:46PM]

They should just provide a link to the Ubuntu forums on the desktop as soon as you boot it up. No way would I pay 275 for support when the forums offer so much more and it doesnt cost a dime.

[Ian @ Jul 18th 2008 3:50PM]

I am no techie but when I bought my Asus eeepc I fond it no more difficult than a wondows PC. So what's with $275 for support? It makes ZERO sense to me.

[OddManOut @ Jul 18th 2008 4:04PM]

Hmm...$65 for DVD playback support or I could use "apt-get" for free...

Gotta think a minute...

[jason @ Jul 18th 2008 4:09PM]

yes you do have to think because that $65 is actually for 30 days support.

w/o support it is free.

[kal326 @ Jul 18th 2008 4:16PM]

@OddManOut
Well you might want to reread why you are thinking since the $65 was for 30 days of support. DVD playback is included in the price.

[OddManOut @ Jul 18th 2008 7:05PM]

Yup...misread the caption

Comment withdrawn.

[NT @ Jul 18th 2008 4:05PM]

Dell does indeed provide Tech support for their Linux systems, they even include a number to call if you need help.

Though the linux forums are usually easier.

-Proud owner of a linux'ed Dell.

[jason @ Jul 18th 2008 4:08PM]

Isnt official connical support cheaper? like $250 a year or something?

and you can buy a $20 ubuntu DVD at best-buy w/ 60 days support.





Yeah what happens when you call them up when you have linux? like do they just go: o i am sorry your wireless is not working, but you dont have windows, whom we give support to.
?

hwo can they give free support to windows users and not to linux users?

[John Bailey @ Jul 20th 2008 8:26AM]

They don't give free Windows support. They just don;t make it an optional purchase.

[kccboy2004 @ Jul 18th 2008 4:21PM]

come on ! the point here is you have a choice;

1. Go for a crappy OS that you can't play games on
2. Go for a solid OS that you can load anything on.

[Pencil @ Jul 18th 2008 5:46PM]

1. Go for a crappy OS that you can't play games on

Yeah, Vista is crappy, isn't it? WTF were they thinking?

2. Go for a solid OS that you can load anything on.

Right on! Ubuntu is rock-solid, and everything I need is just an apt-get away. Never have to reboot, no BSOD, no endless searching for driver disks. Everything "Just Works".

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 19th 2008 12:03AM]

Ok lets be honest. Ubuntu is a VERY solid OS.

On the OTHER hand, Vista is also decent these days.

[thedesolate1 @ Jul 18th 2008 4:22PM]

Im very happy about this. I never thought I would see the day when linux gets implemented on mainstream PC's.

[Kaminix @ Jul 18th 2008 4:42PM]

Still no swedish love I guess.

[dixon @ Jul 18th 2008 6:04PM]

Is Dell giving us mixed signal when there is a big banner ad on the Linux 1525N order page (right below the top left hand corner under the giant Dell logo) that proclaims

"Dell recommends Windows Vista® Home Premium."

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dncwpl1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=segtopic~linux_3x

[Tony @ Jul 18th 2008 8:03PM]

There are ads on the Internets!?

[MrBoB @ Jul 18th 2008 8:07PM]

@Dixon

I believe they are contractually obligated to put that on the page, in exchange they get discounted rates for Windows. I suppose Canonical could send Dell a check for the same amount, so that Dell would have to put "Dell Recommends Vista and Hardy Heron"

[John Bailey @ Jul 20th 2008 8:31AM]

Personally, I'd like to see " Dell recommends Genuine Windows Vista" and in smaller letters below it.. "But only because Microsoft pay us to say it" It's an ad campaign that has been in place for years. Most if not all of the big OEMs have the same thing.

[icepop4who @ Jul 18th 2008 6:27PM]

Laptops with Ubuntu makes sense. Laptop hardware is generally less reliable than desktop's and it perfectly logical to put in a more stable OS. I much rather use Vista on my desktop though. Feature-wise, linux is far behind vista and i can't hardcore game on linux.

[John Bailey @ Jul 20th 2008 8:32AM]

Just out of curiosity.. Which features?

[[e-mail] @ Jul 18th 2008 8:18PM]

# [e-mail] Says:
July 18th, 2008 at 7:03 pm

Is it on the same page for OS options:-
* WinXP
* Vista
* Freedos
* noOS
* Ubuntu
* Redhat
If not, why not?
Dell upto no good?
Sucker pricing?
[e-mail]

[Goatee Man @ Jul 18th 2008 11:05PM]

(Note: I was born a Windows user and don't particularly have a problem with Microsoft and this really isn't meant to sound fanboyish; I'm just saying):

My sister got a new Dell with XP a little while ago... The sheer amount of bloat/crap-ware was unbelievable. It had a gig of RAM and was using ~700 just running the pre-installed programs. Not to mention the fact that the widescreen monitor it came with wasn't fully supported by Windows... I installed Ubuntu on it and it runs great. It took like a half an hour to install and maybe an hour to add new programs/codecs and update. It works better with the wireless dongle than XP did and runs a heckuva lot smoother... And yeah, I did the msconfig deal and uninstalled as much crap as possible from XP; it didn't make a big difference.

Linux and its plethora of command lines might seem a bit intimidating, but really, if you're not happy with Windows it can't hurt to give it a try. It's tricky sometimes -- there are some things you just need a nerd's help with and you'll occasionally run into problems that make no sense and that involve a lot of fiddling around -- but Windows has a learning curve too, if you really think about it, and the folks over at the Ubuntu forums can solve anything. It takes some getting used to, but if you hate bloatware and the "hold your hand" approach that most OSs take to doing anything, don't be afraid to give Ubuntu a try.

[/rant]

[Goatee Man @ Jul 18th 2008 11:08PM]

Oh, I forgot... It is true, unfortunately, that Linux box =/= gaming box. Sorry. : /

(That's what partitioning is for, though)

[joe blow @ Jul 19th 2008 1:47AM]

Gates only gone a couple weeks and everybody is quitting MS. Oh well, count me in too.

[alan @ Jul 19th 2008 7:34AM]

i have been using ubuntu for years and i love it, i mean why wouldnt i? free operating system, free software, free updates, great support forums, no need for antivirus/firewall. i love it. i think the thing that puts most people off ubuntu is the terminal, but once you get used to it, its easy. Good on you Dell http://www.gadget-mania.co.uk

[Crooked Style @ Jul 19th 2008 7:11PM]

GreenPC Linux anyone? failure?
People will complain why their MS Office doesn't work on their new computer. I mean it's new everything should work.

[Phoenix987 @ Jul 20th 2008 11:19AM]

Isn't it old news that Dell is letting people choose something other than MS?

I know that this time last year they were offering Ubuntu and at least 1 other Linux OS instead of MS. I know because I seriously considered getting buying a Dell laptop running Ubuntu (7.10, but I knew 8.04 was close...). I'd be concerned that they were offering 7.10 for so long after 8.04 HH came out (we're going on 3+ months).

Either way, go Dell for telling MS where they can go, but you're a little late on trying to make a splash on the 8.04 stuff, we're halfway to 8.10 (lemme guess, that'll be the option come January, right?)