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Its Official: Dell to offer Ubuntu Linux desktops and laptops | |
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| Time: 11:57 EST/16:57 GMT | News Source: *Linked Within Post* | Posted By: Andre Da Costa | ||
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In a joint statement released today, Dell Inc. and Canonical Ltd. announced that Dell will now offer laptops and desktop computers pre-installed with Ubuntu Linux 7.04. The computers will be sold via Dell's web site, said Canonical's director of operations Jane Silber. "We have worked with Dell to get Ubuntu fully supported and fully certified on Dell hardware," she said. "Ubuntu has the full endorsement of Dell." | ||
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| #1 By 52115 (66.181.69.250) at 5/1/2007 12:24:47 PM |
| Haven't played around with 7.04 yet, but I would think they'd offer OpenSuse 10.2 as well. All in all, I wonder how this is going to go over. |
| #2 By 26839 (74.192.34.22) at 5/1/2007 12:42:01 PM |
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Ubuntu seems to be the favorite of Linux computer vendors.
http://lxer.com/module/forums/t/23168/ http://lxer.com/module/db/index.php?dbn=14 |
| #3 By 6859 (206.156.242.36) at 5/1/2007 12:57:12 PM |
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I haven't had a chance to check out 7.04 yet, but I hope they fixed any issues with ATI 3D accelleration hanging X sessions. (That was "teh suck.")
If that is fixed, I will be a happy little Elder God. |
| #4 By 23275 (24.179.4.158) at 5/1/2007 2:33:21 PM |
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Dating Ubuntu - a gal with one leg that is blind in one eye.
Given that we all die ugly, it shouldn't matter as much as it does, but the process of natural selection applies to us bipeds as mercilessly as it does all other forms of life. I'm betting that most Dell Ubuntu users that are not Linux enthusiasts are going to be stepping out on their Ubuntu brides shortly after the last kernel of rice is thrown by well wishers attending the wedding. "I swear honey, it was only one time - that pirate of an XP SP2 ho meant nothing to me - she's out of my life forever!" - queue internal thoughts as the new groom's eyes wonder over to Vista - "Damn, she's fine..." Oh, and the cat fight between "true" Linux advocates and Ubuntu users... it'll make for a messy sub-plot and keep viewers tuned in for at least a couple of seasons - maybe into limited syndication.... all the, "I wish they'd support a real distro... and more of the unending divisions between them." It's like a Springer episode where the skinny, ate up kid from dirt-water Georgia is hitting the fat chick behind the not nearly as huge gal in the orange tube-top - all the while the viewers are keen to the fact that not one of them is sincere about anything permanent [not unlike the beach head the Ubuntu client represents as it attempts to take the server bluffs as part of the third wave - watch out for the nests of W2K3/2008 Server and clear those murder holes]. And Fedora didn't come out of RHAS and the client fat chick didn't get dumped for the even fatter chick willing to do things that are illegal in all but eight blue states.... But here's the funny thing dear channel surfers... we all glance at wrecks of every kind - while we decry those pausing to stare as rubber-neck-ers. Dell will be better off applying its resources extending its direct to market efforts and re-create the connections it had with customers as individuals - in other words, do what any big company can, "change the subject" - but.... to a channel that people will actually watch for longer than it takes to find something else. I suspect they are a lot smarter than this and having changed the subject, they'll quickly move to expand a presence outside the direct to market channel and re-connect with people at a personal level. #4, It may actually spell DOOM for Dell. |
| #5 By 2960 (24.254.95.224) at 5/1/2007 2:44:21 PM |
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"Given that we all die ugly, it shouldn't matter as much as it does, but the process of natural selection applies to us bipeds as mercilessly as it does all other forms of life. "
I'm glad you finally went somewhere with that. I was concerned you were having a Pink Floyd moment there LOL TL (Who thinks David Gilmour still rocks at age 60) |
| #6 By 15406 (216.191.227.68) at 5/1/2007 2:56:02 PM |
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#5: What spectacular FUD, but I expected no less. If Ubuntu is the one-legged girl with one eye, Vista is the high-maintenance model that will demand a big house & car, annoys the hell out of you by asking you to allow or deny her every move and then gives you an STD.
As for it being the end of Dell, please. They will offer it pre-installed on a few of their models. They build to order, so I'm not sure how adding choice will cause their doom. I could understand how, back in the day, MS would illegally leverage their monopoly to force Dell to drop Ubuntu or risk getting their Windows OEM license pulled, but those good old days are gone right? |
| #7 By 13030 (198.22.121.110) at 5/1/2007 3:19:00 PM |
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Dell wouldn't be offering Ubuntu their customers had been showing sufficient interest. They are not in the financial situation where they can afford to experiment trying to grow a non-existent market.
#5 and #7, Excellent (and humorous) analogies. |
| #8 By 8556 (12.210.39.82) at 5/1/2007 3:27:37 PM |
| Unless Dell substantially discounts the price of Ubuntu loaded machines why would a typical user that doesn't even know how to defrag a hard drive want Linux instead of Windows? It is not logical. Therefore most takers, as the article implies, will be Linux devotees that won't mind not having a Windows license that would come in handy when selling the machine later on. |
| #9 By 32132 (142.32.208.234) at 5/1/2007 3:29:31 PM |
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Dell is going to find out that all those Slashdotters who spammed Dell's website demanding Linux are actually buying their PC's from local PC makers and won't switch to Dell just to buy Ubuntu.
And they will waste a lot of money that woul dbe better spent on support the 99.999% of their customers who have no interest in Linux. Ubuntu - Crappy Cow: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2124099,00.asp #7 Latch, you should try Vista for more than an imaginary 1 minute on your imaginary free laptop. You might like it. Sure, you would lie and say you hated it. But we would know better. #7 High maintenance? Are you suggesting Slashdotters run old PC's because they are poor or tightwads? Certainly you arren't implying they can't afford a 599$ PC? #7 599$ for a Dual Core / 20" LCD / Vista Premium / 1GB ram http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DDDWBT2&s=dhs #8 "They are not in the financial situation where they can afford to experiment trying to grow a non-existent market." I think they've been conned into exactly that. This post was edited by NotParker on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 15:32. |
| #10 By 8556 (12.210.39.82) at 5/1/2007 3:37:15 PM |
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Dell: "Hello. My name is Apu Smith. Thank you for calling Dell customer support. How may I help you?".
Customer: "My grandchildren are visiting me for two weeks and want to play RollerCoaster Tycoon on my new Ubuntu Dell PC that I was told would do everthing Windows can do. Tell me how to make it work." Good luck with that. |
| #11 By 37047 (216.191.227.68) at 5/1/2007 3:42:04 PM |
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#5: "It may actually spell DOOM for Dell."
Hmmm. Telling customers they can choose between Windows XP, Vista, and Ubuntu Linux is going to spell their doom? Perhaps then, instead of giving their customers choice, they should drop Ubuntu, and Vista while they are at it, and only sell XP. Or better yet, selling computers with no OS at all. Yeah, that's the ticket. No choice at all. And they should also only sell a single model of computer. With a static parts list. No sense making customers have to choose what kind of video card they want, what kind of monitor they want, how much memory they want, etc. One standard configuration, no choices. Only a Microsoft FUDster would suggest that giving customers more options would be the doom of Dell. Especially if one fo the options is not made by Microsoft. That whole post was nothing but pure FUD. |
| #12 By 32132 (142.32.208.234) at 5/1/2007 3:49:08 PM |
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Choice adds to cost because support costs.
PC's are not luxury items (except to a very few). They are commodities. Dell is already losing a ton of market share because they outsourced support and people noticed. If they spend 5% less on Windows support to get .5% Linux sales, Windows users will notice and move to HP (which does not offer Linux pre-installed). |
| #13 By 23275 (172.16.10.31) at 5/1/2007 6:41:50 PM |
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Latch and Mystic - you guys are way smarter than I am and you're most capable of knowing exactly what I meant. Yoiu argue as though you do not, and I am just smart enough to understand that you "choose" not to represent in your posts that you do understand.
Now, some younger guys, or non-native English speaking people may not see that, or understand the humor used, so to be most clear... Dell needed to and did change the subject - that is all. They will this time and the impression that they intend to respond to customer needs more directly and specifically - so.... From Dell, look for: A newly designed site that focuses on users by the type of user Different, probably retail channel offerings that put Dell systems in front of users A new marketing campaign that addresses "individuals" A new channel for professionals - especially mobile professionals and Very consrainted support for any Linuces and strict limits about the market where such will be available - most true of the configs - e.g., you can have Linux just so long as it is this flavor of Linux. From Microsoft - a machine hash, protecting them from pirated copies of XP being loaded onto the Linux boxes. Dell will have to do this, or suffer later on [by next year]. |
| #14 By 20505 (216.102.144.11) at 5/1/2007 7:59:32 PM |
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#6
Dunno 'bout Gilmour but I can assure you that Jagger, Townsend, and Clapton are all on their collective last legs having seen each of them in concert recently. (Each concert was more expensive than Vista and none of them looked as good!) |
| #15 By 2960 (24.254.95.224) at 5/1/2007 10:24:41 PM |
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David's getting his second wind, not that he ever lost the first one :)
Jagger could be used as a prop for the guys laying on the table in CSI or NCIS. TL This post was edited by TechLarry on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 22:25. |
| #16 By 20505 (216.102.144.11) at 5/1/2007 10:48:22 PM |
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TL
I beg to differ. Jagger just looks old. It's Keith Richards who's cadaveric. |
| #17 By 37047 (216.191.227.68) at 5/2/2007 8:01:36 AM |
| #14: I understood perfectly. Dell is responding to requests and suggestions from customers and users that wish to buy Dell systems with an OS other than Windows. If no one purchases it, then the costs for supporting it will be pretty low. If they sell lots of units with Ubuntu preinstalled, and make tons of money, Michael Dell will be called a visionary. If they don't, the other issues surrounding Dell, such as the off-shoring of the tech support, will still be there anyway. Unless you and Parkkker own shares in Dell, I don't understand why you two fear Dell offering choices, unless it is a fear that by giving users choice, they will take business away from you. |
| #18 By 23275 (24.179.4.158) at 5/2/2007 9:41:18 AM |
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#18, Fear?!? That may be how you want to characterize things. And competing with Dell?
Been there for years and doing well enough - 25 Dells go out, and 25 of our systems go in. The Dells get cleaned, wiped and donated to schools, or kids without PC's. We have nearly 40 Dells boxed and on the deck now - waiting for kids and a small church school that cares for battered women. So, no, I do not fear Dell or any competitor. Choices - I love choices and every PC I build is the result of several interviews with customers to discover exactly how they use computers at home, at work and on the road. Our systems are the product of many weeks of advanced work that seeks to build exactly what people want and while I recommend Microsoft software, I don't break any arms over it - we do run 7 Linuces distros in production - each driven by what customers' developers needed and were familiar with - although, we're the people making Linux work for them and we constantly donate time to help them leverage Linux in ways they cannot - e.g., they can write code, but they know too little about the OS and the hardware. We also have many Dell systems we manage for customers and for years, I have propped up Dell and helped Dell techs service Linux on Dell hardware that customers own. The scenario is typical, the Dell box will break, and they send a tech. He takes one look at it and is lost - totally lost. I say, relax, here's a cup of coffee, just hand me the part and the disk with the firmware and I'll take care of it for you. That has happened each time one of four Dell 6600's running Linux, has needed hardware service. I don't charge them and I don't dime them out. I help them and show them what I did so they don't panic the next time they run across a Linuces on the hardware they are supposed to understand. What I do fear is, BS - or rather that BS seems to be so readily believed by people. Any person here is welcome to come visit with me at our shops and see for themselves. Back to choices, because I like to speak to that more... |
| #19 By 23275 (24.179.4.158) at 5/2/2007 9:41:39 AM |
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I like choices so much that our systems end up integrated into 100 year old French antiques, or 30 feet in the air in custom 70 inch screens, or chair side in perfectly balanced control arms that doctors and dentists use - all choices and all the product of exactly what customers want.
Customers know about Linux and they know about Mac - very often we integrate Macs into the home networks our customers ask us to fix. In every case it is Windows doing the heavy lifting and bending and flexing to work with the Mac and what it cannot do. In every case the limiting factor is the Mac or the Linuces box and the Windows machines and servers doing for them what they can't do. Chained proxies for the Mac, or excellent Windows engineers configuring reference zones for a customer on a Linuces box, because the customer dev didn't know how - happens all the time. FUD?!? FUD's ass. The only FUD I ever hear or read on these subjects comes from people who don't like Microsoft, America, Corporations, early mornings, or taking responsibility for what they do - or don't do. Don't take that personally, Mystic - it isn't intended that way. Like I said, come visit and see for yourself - you'll see us and Microsoft software underwriting the choices of all people - even when the choices they make are not good for them. And Latch, offer something posititive, please - you're boring the crap out of me. |
| #20 By 15406 (216.191.227.68) at 5/2/2007 12:15:34 PM |
| #19: You appear to be as conflicted as MS is. You (and MS) publicly applaud choice & competition, but the reality is that you loathe both. Your #5 post was probably the FUDdiest thing I've ever seen you post, all emotion with little actual thought. It was like you were talking Dell's decision personally and reacting out of spite. |
| #21 By 37047 (216.191.227.68) at 5/2/2007 12:49:33 PM |
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#20: "you'll see us and Microsoft software underwriting the choices of all people"
This sounds like the old saying attributed to Henry Ford: "You can have it in any color you want, so long as it's black." In this case, it sounds like "You can have any choice you want, as long as it involves Microsoft software." Whether you mean it this way or not, this is how it sounds. For the record, I occasionally don't like what Microsoft does corporately, I like America (I lived there for several of my formative years), I like many (but not all) corporations, dislike early mornings, and always take responsibility for my actions and statements, even when I am proven wrong, rare though that might be. :-) |
| #22 By 23275 (24.179.4.158) at 5/2/2007 1:23:59 PM |
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#21, Uh, no.
I recognize that Dell needed to change the subject - away from cycles of stories relating to its declining global market share. That is what Dell is doing in this case. Their larger goal has to be centered on reconnecting with consumers of all types as individuals - simply, their direct to market strategy grew older, and in many ways, stale. This initiative is only one prong in their strategy - something they can do more immediately. Do I take competition seriously and my business personally? You bet I do - my customers are customers because I do. Do I like Dell? Yeah, I like a lot about them and admire Michael Dell a great deal. Do I like the "price centric direct to market model" - I love it and have a business because it does not work for all people. A lot of people want something that is more complete - more personal and better supported. So yeah, I love Dell, HP, Apple, all of them and hope they never break the code on hardware as a service - they can't though - there are too many degrees of separation between engineers and the people that support what is designed, built and integrated. My post at #5 was inspired by the laughter I experienced when thinking on the entire matter - a simple sharing of the lighter side of the analysis of it - it does not change the fact that Dell needed to change the subject and buy some time to evolve new means to connect with people at a more personal level. |
| #23 By 23275 (24.179.4.158) at 5/2/2007 1:46:36 PM |
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#22, Yeah, but you don't post what some would call FUD, either.
As to the Henry Ford ref, it does not apply - the diversity we have running and build around is just too, well... diverse. I see it this way: The entire PC building and buying ecosystem needs a shot in the arm, or a kick in the pants. People are bored and as truly compelling as they may be, discussions about emerging markets and SDL processes are not exciting more affluent western con, or pro-sumers. Dell is not alone - they're just one company affected by a larger trend. Collectively, the PC/Consumer electronics industry is a middle aged guy worried about his droopper and the years he has left - less so, and unwisely, turning away from what his legacy will actually be, or how it will be dented by what he does right now. I missed that entire lose your mind, middle age crisis for two reasons: 1) I was a vet and learned way too young what really matters and 2) I didn't have enough dough to be able to afford a good one <kidding of course - see reason 1, again>. Our industry, or a good part of it, is in that place and people are bored, looking for things to do and not finding anything exciting. Vista's absolutely essential shift away from features and onto security, did exactly that - but face it, how jammed up does any one of your CFO's get over a security suite renewal license, or related products? It ain't sexy. Not Parker is right - and I wrote these same words here in 2004 - "The commoditization of technology was our biggest challenge." That is where Dell is and in some way, all of us are. Frankly, I think Dell is right on - change the subject. Now Microsoft needs to do the same things - they need to change the damn subject and kick out one thing we all would like - here it is - make a simple, lower cost 4" LCD remote that leverages Vista's SideShow and let me use my PC in small ways from the couch and have it perform some basic remote control functions - volume up down - guide, etc... and perhaps some TRAPS lighting controls for the den's lamps. The point, like Dell's is not to sell a bunch of them, but to shift focus, secure attention and change the subject to something people will look at. |
| #24 By 37047 (216.191.227.68) at 5/2/2007 2:19:07 PM |
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#24: Well put. The industry is definitely undergoing its own mid-life crisis, so to speak. Most of the really exciting stuff is done already, and now we are getting down to the boriong stuff of making the systems actually useful and more appliance-like. Computers are getting to the point where other appliances are. Who gets excited about the latest refridgerator model, and the new cooling features. An LCD screen on it is cool for a while, but after the novelty wears off, it is still just a refridgerator with an LCD screen that is not in a convenient place for watching television shows very often.
Going forward, the excitement will be more about coming up with cool and exciting new ways to use them, not their features in and of themselves. Stuff like AI and robotics, for example. |
| #25 By 23275 (24.179.4.158) at 5/2/2007 9:55:19 PM |
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#25, Exactly! Exactly that!
Here's what kills my soul <very southern turn of phrase and not nearly as dramatic as it sounds>.... Bill Gates gets it and has always gotten it! He's so consistently been about two technologies: Speech and Ink with universal language translation following not at all a distant third. In other words, "how people interact with, obtain, echange and use information." - which he reasoned needed to be as natural as speaking and as intuitive as pointing - where no matter what language one grew up speaking, all people of all languages could understand. What kills me is that it appears that our industry does not understand just how beautiful a world like that would be. And now we're all jazzed up over web 2.0? Give me a break and a barf-bag. As an industry and a people, we need to reach for the impossible every single day. That is what made Microsoft what it is - I'd like to see that one fundamental message screamed throughout their next OS. I know Vista HAD to be what it is - that, as I said countless times, was more about HOW the OS was built. The next one will be more about what Bill Gates wanted built. |
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