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Software Dell Unveils New Ubuntu-Powered PCs
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - May 24, 2007 11:59 PM

25 comment(s) - last by murphyslabrat.. on May 31 at 12:56 PM

Linux enthusiasts now know which Dell products will ship with the Ubuntu OS

Dell today officially launched three consumer products with the Ubuntu Linux 7.04 operating system. The XPS 410n, Dimension E520 desktops and Inspiron E1505n notebook are now available from the Dell web site. The new products give customers three different operating system options when purchasing a new product -- a system with Microsoft Windows, a machine with no OS, or a machine pre-installed with Ubuntu Linux.

"To the worldwide Linux community, I wanted to thank you for all your support," said Lionel Menchaca, Dell Digital Media Manager.

The Inspiron E1505n notebook has a starting price of $599, while the two desktops start from $599 and $849.

"The interest and enthusiasm from customers who challenged us to deliver a consumer Linux solution has been met with a team of dedicated professionals within Dell and Canoncial," said Neil Hand, Vice President of Consumer Product Group.

Dell's systems are shipping with default Ubuntu software installed, which has been properly configured for the Linux operating system.

While hardware support will be handled by Dell, the Linux section of the Dell Community Forum is taking care of all software and Linux issues. Canonical Ltd. is offering service upgrades on the official Ubuntu web site.

Using the Dell IdeaStorm web site, more than 30,000 users requested Linux on future Dell products. Dell first committed to the Linux operating system in late March, with the Ubuntu, Dell partnership announced in the beginning of May.

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RE: Good, but not for me.

By jithvk on 5/25/2007 5:08:27 AM , Rating: 3

i was wondering what would be the prize difference between system with ubuntu installed and the same sys with vista installed. if dell is going to give the full $150 to the customers, then no one will be buying the vista systems any more and if there is no/small difference then what dell is doing is not right..

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RE: Good, but not for me.

By Zirconium on 5/25/2007 11:17:01 AM , Rating: 2

The price difference for the base model XPS 410 with Linux is $50 less than for the machine with Vista ($849 vs $899). You aren't really saving much, and there are fewer hardware options presented when configuring the system. It's always been obvious that Dell isn't paying $150 for Vista, and that Microsoft isn't making as much per computer through OEMs, but it makes it up on volume (and that the OEM version of an OS is crippled in that you can't transfer the license to another machine). How much of the savings are passed onto the computer is up for debate: does Windows cost Dell $50? Does Dell incur any costs by going with Ubuntu? Given how many Ubuntu systems Dell is expected to sell, and the costs involved with adding Linux as an option, I don't think that the price difference between the systems is too small.

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