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Dell's Ubuntu-equipped XPS 410n desktop reviewed
Just about a week after Dell officially started offering up Linux-equipped machines for sale, an anxious user over at UbuntuForums managed to get his hands around a XPS 410n desktop and put it through a few paces. Notably, the unboxing experience was far from enthralling, as the documentation still reeked of Windows and an Ubuntu install disc was (mistakenly) not included. Those quirks aside, the "remarkably silent" startup led to a fair amount of tinkering to get things up and running as he wanted, but the general vibe was a positive one. While it did take "some skill" to make the machine play nice with his non-Dell monitor, there didn't seem to be any issues that Dell's technical support (or his internal knowledge) couldn't solve. After cracking open the case, he was "delighted" at the quiet cooling system that was included and the ease of snapping in / out hardware components. All in all, it seems like Dell's first shot at a Linux-based machine was a commendable effort, but considering that it wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, we'd recommend tapping the read link and giving the thread a good perusal before diving in head first.[Via Digg]
Dell selling Ubuntu Linux systems on Thursday?
It looks like Thursday will be the coming out party for Dell's new-found love interest with Linux. Linux advocate Jeremy Garcia says we're now just hours away from the ability to order an Ubuntu pre-load on a new Dell E520 Dimension desktop, Inspiron 1505 consumer laptop, or XPS 410 media rig -- just like Michael Dell. While Dell has not yet confirmed the date or the eligible models, they did say on Monday that customers can expect their pre-load to include all the default software (including kernel and apps) from Ubuntu's 7.04 "Feisty Fawn" media. Dell also noted that they'll only be offering peripherals which have mature, open-source (or closed-source if necessary) driver support which Dell is testing in-house. Better yet, Dell says that they'll be working with other vendors to create stable drivers for currently unsupported hardware; that's good news for Linux users everywhere. While Dell's move won't likely cause any grief to Microsoft's bloated bottom line, it certainly gives Linux some cred with mainstream consumers who don't know the difference between Beryl and that thing you shoot fish in.Read -- Thursday rumorRead -- Dell tells us what to expect
Dell set to offer pre-loaded Ubuntu "within weeks"
Given Michael Dell's admitted fondness for Ubuntu (Feisty Fawn, specifically) and Dell's previous announcement that it was heeding the call of geeks everywhere to offer Linux pre-loaded on its consumer systems, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that Ubuntu would be the company's distro of choice, but it's still nice to hear the word coming straight from the source. The company's also getting a bit more specific on when we'll finally start to see Ubuntu-based systems rolling out the door, saying that it'll begin to offer Ubuntu 7.04 as an option on "select Dell consumer models" (both desktops and laptops) in the coming weeks. Now, if only they'd be as receptive to public feedback on their choices of hardware.[Via CRN]
Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn released
Those of you as fond of Ubuntu as we are likely won't need much convincing, but those that have yet to go 'bu now have one of the most compelling reasons yet to consider the OS, as version 7.04 (otherwise known as "Feisty Fawn") has now been officially released into the wild. Among the improvements this time around are improved wireless and multimedia support, and a new Windows migration tool that should make things a bit easier for those going for a dual-boot system. Unsurprisingly, the servers appear to be taking a bit of a beating at the moment, which we suspect could be the case for a little while longer.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
