Dell's new Vostro A860 and A840 laptops do Ubuntu, headed for emerging markets

While the Vostro 2510 might be Dell's primary bid for dual-use small business computers, that doesn't mean they have to keep beating the rest of the Vostros with the ugly stick. The new Vostro A860 and A840 feature spiffed up looks and aggressive prices for emerging markets. Unfortunately, "emerging markets" means we won't be getting these in the States for the time being. Both laptops are naturally light on specs, with 1GB of RAM, 160GB or 120GB hard drives, CD or DVD burners, WiFi and optional Bluetooth. The 15.6-inch A860 sports an "HD" resolution, while the 14.1-inch A840 runs at WXGA. Processors range from Celeron to Core 2 Duo, both laptops can be outfitted with Vista or Ubuntu, and they both weigh in around 5 pounds. Oh, and if you're more of a desktop sort, Dell is also offering the new Vostro A180 and A100 desktops, with the A180 offering a range of specs and both OS choices, while the A100 sticks with an Intel Atom processor and Ubuntu. No word on price for any of these yet, since pricing will vary from country to country, but we might be looking at a new low for Dell in both categories.

[Pumping_Iron @ Aug 27th 2008 6:17AM]

shame that they don't sell STUDIO laptops with ubuntu or any other linux distro

[Pumping_Iron @ Aug 27th 2008 6:22AM]

hhhmmmm.......Dell Studio laptop with Ubuntu Studio......nicee

[d0od @ Aug 27th 2008 7:06AM]

oh man, that would be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

[Pumping_Iron @ Aug 27th 2008 7:19AM]

@d0od
Yeah ! Totally !

[atbnet @ Aug 27th 2008 9:27AM]

They do, the Studio 15N is the Ubuntu version.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dncwul1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=segtopic~linux_3x

[michae @ Aug 27th 2008 6:44AM]

chattop

[Richard @ Aug 27th 2008 7:12AM]

Whats will Dell still releasing laptops with craptastic CPU's, every major brand now has models with Centrino 2's in them in the shops.

[bigbloke @ Aug 27th 2008 8:09AM]

Which part of EMERGING MARKET do you not understand?

Miller clearly wrote that these laptops would not be available in the US for the time being. Why? Because it is meant for....guess what? Emerging Markets...

Of course, the display of comprehension abilities of some who post here, you could be forgiven for thinking that the US is an emerging market...

[Richard @ Aug 27th 2008 7:13AM]

I want my "Centrino 2", come on Dell you are 6 weeks behind now.

[ben @ Aug 27th 2008 7:37AM]

Huzzah! Dell IS offering linux on the Studio line...at least the Studio 15

[ben @ Aug 27th 2008 7:39AM]

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

[Pumping_Iron @ Aug 27th 2008 8:17AM]

WOW !!!! Sweet ! Thnx for letting us know ! :P

[Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Aug 27th 2008 10:46AM]

I'm waiting to hear about the Studio 13 thats coming out. Maybe make a Studio 12 or 11 also?

[Arp @ Aug 27th 2008 11:18AM]

Wow - I think Dell almost got rid of everything ugly, except the XPS 17" laptop.

[Abe Olandres @ Aug 27th 2008 1:24PM]

Asked one of the Dell SEA executives about the pricing and they revealed SRP of the Vostro laptops to be $650 and up: http://www.yugatech.com/blog/personal-computing/dell-vostro-laptops-desktops-unveiled/

[helmecj01 @ Sep 5th 2008 8:44AM]

You can buy it from Dell now in the UK

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-vostro-a860?c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&l=en&s=bsd