Ubuntu on Dell

[edc]

http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/24/1222247

Today by 4:00 PM CST Dell will start selling three machines with Ubuntu 7.04 pre-installed. The two desktops (XPS 410n, $899 and Dimension E520n, $599) and the notebook (Inspiron E1505n, $599) will be the first three machines with the popular Linux distribution installed by default. There is little or no price differential between the Linux and Windows models; in fact, the entry level E520 Windows desktop is cheaper. Dell has announced that they will provide hardware support, and they've created a new site devoted to giving further Linux support and updates. At the moment the offer is only available in the US."

I suppose the extra cost is to cover the current niche market, costs should come down by that of the price of the current license of Vista?

 

[Highflyer_GP]

I would think that they would have shipped at less than the Windows equivalent firstly because the OS is pretty much free and secondly to promote the OS?

 

[Gunny]

I would think that they would have shipped at less than the Windows equivalent firstly because the OS is pretty much free and secondly to promote the OS?

Makes business sense but then you also have to look at the cost of setting up a new support department for a new OS

 

[edc]

http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/25/1529201
"Contrary to many earlier reports, it turns out that Dell's prices for its Ubuntu PCs are cheaper than similar Windows Vista PCs for all three Models. Ars Technica reports: 'So it turns out that not including Windows saves the consumer $50 from the regular list price. This amount is not too far off from what a large OEM like Dell would pay for a volume discount for Windows Vista Home Basic (the regular OEM price is about $95). Many value PC sellers try to make up for the cost of a Windows license by bundling demo and trial versions of software such as AOL (affectionately known as "crapware"), for which they receive money from software companies looking to increase their distribution levels. Dell is no exception to this practice, although on their web site it allows customers to select the option of not including various applications.' For direct comparisons, Nat Tuck of Umass-Lowell has put together a simple page showing prices for Ubuntu and Windows-based PCs."