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116 Comments
- gcnaddict, on 04/18/2009, -24/+82They're hiding it because they're tired of having to deal with returns from people who thought Ubuntu was easy to pick up but later learned it wasn't.
Those who really want to use Ubuntu can still get it. It's a win/win for everyone: the ordinary consumer uses what he/she knows, the enthusiasts can get what they want, and dell doesn't have to deal with unnecessary returns. Business sense, people. - Vadi0, on 04/18/2009, -4/+54Why would anyone be hiding this?
- alexrup, on 04/18/2009, -10/+39People are quick to condemn Dell, but how many other manufacturers even give you the option of Ubuntu? While it's lame they have to hide it, it's more than Apple offers.
- mrjit, on 04/18/2009, -5/+24LOL.
- ThatsNotPudding, on 04/18/2009, -16/+30EuroDell: Microsoft's Bitch.
- Abatrour, on 04/19/2009, -6/+20Windows is only easier to use because that's what most people are used to using.
Someone who has never used a computer before would most likely have an easier time using Ubuntu or OSX over Windows. - MacSuxWindozSux, on 04/18/2009, -4/+18I love how people are buying into ***** about Dell thinking that Linux is bad.
If Dell didn't think Ubuntu Netbooks were a good idea, then Dell wouldn't sell them.
Maybe they don't show the computers because they don't have any supplied to those countries. Or maybe there aren't any for those languages. Operations in a company like Dell are a lot more complicated than many people seem to clue into. - dsmx, on 04/18/2009, -5/+18If enough people report it to the EU commission things could get expensive for dell.
- brim4brim, on 04/19/2009, -0/+12That seems kind of stupid.
Hello Dell I would like to give you money.
Dell: Sure but first you must find the secret link.
They don't even offer it in Ireland. Do a search on dell.ie for ubuntu and it says it isn't available. They are built in Ireland, I don't know why they can't not install Windows on them. - Vadi0, on 04/18/2009, -13/+25I don't see your point being valid. Have you ever used Ubuntu yourself? All common actions are easily doable.
- inactive, on 04/19/2009, -5/+15***** can only compete by using dirty tactics. On a level playing field they would be running like they are in their other big markets search and consoles: Reasonable products running in 2nd and 3rd.
- ileftfark, on 04/18/2009, -1/+11Hardware support.
That's about the only reason... but with any of the recent kernels, this is rarely an issue unless you have obscure or bleeding-edge stuff. - LordNerd, on 04/19/2009, -2/+11Did you even read the article?
He went to the direct dell.co.uk/ubuntu and the Ubuntu powered machines were not there. Only netbooks.
Dell is hiding the Ubuntu machines from their own Ubuntu website. - mrsteveman1, on 04/18/2009, -1/+10I like your outlook on things. Ever tried that with a car? Or a house? Most people don't want to build things by hand or put parts together.
- inactive, on 04/18/2009, -8/+17except it isn't. You claiming it does not make it so.
- pHr34kY, on 04/19/2009, -3/+12Actually, most salespeople don't have time to learn about the stuff they're selling... I don't bother asking them stuff anymore.
- miggyb, on 04/18/2009, -0/+9Your point would be valid except he wanted a laptop. You can't really build your own laptop.
- stewacide, on 04/19/2009, -0/+8Dell's Ubuntu availability is terrible in Canada, and those few system that ship with it are usually more expensive than an identically configured system with Windows!!
- mithrasinvictus, on 04/19/2009, -0/+8Simply making windows the default but still offering linux as an option would solve that.
As for people "accidentally" changing this default option into linux and then being surprised that they did not receive what they actively chose not to buy: Dell could just send them a CD with windows to pop into the drive. - sloppychris, on 04/19/2009, -5/+12gcnaddict, comparing Ubuntu to a programming language is absolute nonsense.
Want to surf the Internet? Click Applications > Firefox Web Browser.
Want to install a program? Click Applications > Add / Remove Programs.
Want to write a letter? Applications > Office OpenOffice.org Word Processor. It works just the same as Microsoft Word.
Stop spreading FUD. There is no possible way that what you describe can be true. - Haplo, on 04/19/2009, -1/+8Better, talk with Dell to get a computer *without* windows, but FreeDOS instead. I did this:
http://johnbokma.com/mexit/2008/02/11/dell-vostro- ...
It took a week of arguing but then Dell called *back to me*, and made things happen.
Moreover, now you can buy a Vostro without OS without any problems in Mexico, see picture at the bottom of:
http://johnbokma.com/mexit/2009/02/24/dell-vostro- ...
Dell does contribute to Linux, and they have a nice wiki to assist in solving issues one can encounter on their hardware.
Anyway, if you talk to them, they actually do listen; well, you have to speak up a bit, but they do listen. There is no need to pay Windows tax. - inactive, on 04/19/2009, -1/+8At least they hide it for you Euros, for Australia there is no hidden link nothing, just ***** Windows
- lonniebiz, on 04/19/2009, -1/+8I have Dell Studio 17, and I'm running Ubuntu 9.04 release candidate. I love it. The Dell Studio 17 was the best value I found. It is an awesome laptop for the price. I don't think you can get it with ubuntu preinstalled, but 9.04 installs easily on it.
- Haplo, on 04/19/2009, -7/+13Sure, my mom really can have a audio/video chat on MSN network with Ubuntu. Your "common" actions might work, but that doesn't mean that your experience is valid for everybody.
- mithrasinvictus, on 04/19/2009, -0/+6It looks like dell wants to be seen to offer the option, but does not really want to actually sell the units. That makes me wonder if this was set up so they can later claim there wasn't enough interest.
- gcnaddict, on 04/19/2009, -13/+19I repair computers and build networks for individual consumers as well as small businesses for a living. Customers I've worked with are about as confused with Ubuntu as they are with understanding a programming language.
Please understand that not everyone dedicates his/her time to computers. These people want to do what they need to do without having to learn anything new to do it. Salespeople don't have the time to learn new things, nor do brokers, realtors, etc. - Haplo, on 04/19/2009, -1/+7Just order a computer with FreeDOS, and install Ubuntu yourself. I did this, see: http://johnbokma.com/mexit/2008/02/11/dell-vostro- ...
Also because I couldn't buy a Dell computer in Mexico with Ubuntu. And yes, I paid less because of FreeDOS instead of XP/Vista. It took a week of haggling, but in the end Dell *called me* to fix things. - thenativeraver, on 04/18/2009, -3/+9PSA: Crack is bad for you.
- mithrasinvictus, on 04/19/2009, -0/+5It would be enough if they would just state which models are linux compatible and give me an opt-out of the windows tax.
- Taiyoryu, on 04/18/2009, -1/+6So www.euro.dell.com/ubuntu doesn't work unlike www.dell.com/ubuntu for the US?
- CalcProgrammer1, on 04/18/2009, -7/+12I don't really get why you would buy a computer pre-loaded with Linux. I haven't seen Linux-preloaded PC's for hundreds less than their identical Windows-preloaded counterparts, so I would just go with the Windows one and install Ubuntu myself. Same price (maybe just a tiny bit more) and you get Windows for all those programs that don't work in Linux (ahem, games).
- compgeek, on 04/18/2009, -3/+8dugg down for being an MS shill. Not saying linux is the be all and end all but when you have millions of programmers that can contribute and help fix problems and such how can an O/S that's made by a very small dedicated team possibly be 10x better? I could see it from a standpoint that the people coding Windows 7 know it inside and out and the people coding linux had to learn it all as they went along but I'll play the odds millions of programmers for open source seems like a great alternative (notice I didn't say it was in all cases better) than an O/S programmed by a dedicated team that may or may not care about it after it hits the street.
- wbkang, on 04/19/2009, -0/+5Yep. I know of Linux Mint. I think it's the right direction for Desktop Linux to go.
- Myztry, on 04/19/2009, -0/+4"All Home PCs are used for gaming, watching DVDs, and etc."
*****. DVD players are where most DVD's are played. And Microsoft would prefer people to be playing games on an Xbox where competition doesn't interfere with pricing, instead of Windows. Microsoft if canabalizing the Windows games market (where anyone can publish) with the XBOX games market (where you need to pay them to publish). Microsoft even uses means like not supplying it's largest customer base (WinXP) with DirectX 10 in order to force people to purchase Vista+ to make their DX10 compatible with Windows. And you defend their gaming platform record?
For (an ever increasing) tens of millions of people little else matters except Internet access clients (browsers, email, etc). For that there isn't even a need for a computer as such and a console like device would satisfy the need. Linux can fill that need without exposing consumers to Microsoft risks (conficker/etc) and compatability problems (IE6/etc). You are over valuing Microsoft's palce.
Linux is going to keep growing. It will keep showing up in more and more places where a customized solution trumps a generic one. There are different strengths and compromises with all OS's but Linux has so much more potential. It's quite laughable that what amounts to a team of volunteers posing such a threat to Microsoft dominance. Obviously Microsoft is slipping for this to be the case. - Atomic1fire, on 04/19/2009, -1/+5They suffer from a thing called e-syndrome,
as in, they think there is a problem if its not the blue E
Seriously though, how much work would it take to include a "beginners guide" with things like surfing the web "with your new fancy cheap laptop" and "editing photos", "playing dvds" and installing new software,
Don't even worry about cd stuff, because they could just offer a repository, cleverly disguised as a "Marketplace, or "Add/Remove Programs" - mithrasinvictus, on 04/19/2009, -1/+5So why offer the option in the one country most likely to have a greater number of clueless consumers?
- Gustavo, on 04/19/2009, -0/+4Did you read my post? I *did* buy the Dell laptop with Ubuntu, with a Spanish keyboard. So that's not the problem.
The problem is that it was hidden and I found it thanks to a link given by sales representatives. - ileftfark, on 04/18/2009, -1/+5I did, but the keys got soggy from humidity. Stupid cardboard.
- wigren, on 04/19/2009, -0/+4lol... Your name is Randall.
- mrsteveman1, on 04/19/2009, -0/+4It's all a matter of skills though, someone who doesn't understand what parts go where isn't likely to be able to do it, and is likely to break something trying.
- CalcProgrammer1, on 04/19/2009, -1/+5Hardware support is an issue I guess...yesterday I had to install Ubuntu on a new Vostro 15" (base-line Celeron) model that our robotics team purchased. I had to manually compile the madwifi drivers to get Atheros WiFi working and there were some other things that weren't just right, but overall it wasn't hard and it is running fine now. Installing Ubuntu takes so little time that configuring the extra stuff that doesn't work perfectly still is less time than a regular Windows install...
- Cannabix, on 04/19/2009, -0/+4Anyone know the secret link for Canada? I noticed that the laptops disappeared from here a few weeks ago:
http://dell.ca/open - Culyt, on 04/18/2009, -5/+8Windows 7 is just Vista except MS have been putting a huge focus on ensuring good reviews on review sites and blogs.
There are some fixes for things like the horrible resource usage, and improved performance so I guess its like a service pack. - anarchist101, on 04/19/2009, -2/+5I can sympathize with what you are saying, and it is a legitimate hurdle to overcome in Ubuntu. Blame copyright law being applied to software..idiotic at best.
Linux Mint is easier to use for new users, I have heard. I use a custom version of Ubuntu which I make myself which includes all the common media codecs, programming tools, and other software I normally use.
This is why I prefer Linux though, because it makes it so easy to do this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_mint
http://www.linuxmint.com/ - Wesside, on 04/19/2009, -0/+3Anyone have links that will work for the US, Canada etc?
- MicrosoftBob, on 04/19/2009, -0/+3Mint is my main distro and the best OOTB Linux experience I've had (with PCLinuxOS being a close second).
- macuser11, on 04/19/2009, -6/+9When you download a package, you double click on it. You then proceed to click the "Install" button.
- Haplo, on 04/19/2009, -0/+3The Inspiron 1525 my wife bought just over a year ago came with both a rescue partition and an installation DVD (and a free bluetooth mouse :-)
I am, so far, quite happy with Dell in Mexico. The other option is ***** HP/Compaq (sold in supermarkets, low quality crap, they use Asus motherboards that fall apart after warranty ends, see: http://johnbokma.com/mexit/2008/03/03/fixing-a-hea ... ). And buying parts and building your own is just too expensive (hardware is here more expensive is my experience). - morepowerr, on 04/19/2009, -0/+3most the time it is a back up windows disk on a restore part on the hard disk.
- mrsteveman1, on 04/18/2009, -3/+6Microsoft has been convicted of influencing OEMs like this before, so concerns are not unfounded. However gcnaddict is probably right.
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