Round Rock (TX) – Dell today flipped the switched and is now officially offering consumer desktop and notebook PCs with Ubuntu 8.04 pre-installed. Two notebooks and one desktop join two desktop systems in Dell’s open-source product portfolio.

There is no denying that Linux recently has gained traction in the consumer space and Microsoft may have to look a little more seriously at competing with Linux distributions on different levels. Most recently, for example, Intel has basically thrown out Windows Vista as the dominant platform for its Atom Centrino MID platform, recommending and showcasing MIDs generally with Ubuntu as the operating system.

Dell’s announcement today certainly will not make a dent into the market dominance of Windows on desktop and notebook computers, but we take not that Dell is responding to customer demand, which apparently is enough to offer Linux on consumer computers. Is Ubuntu in a position to achieve what Xandros promised about seven years ago – to provide a Linux alternative to Windows? We leave that up to you to decide.

Choices among Dell’s Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) PCs are limited, but if you want such a PC, you can order one now without having to go through the process of installing it yourself. The two available notebooks are the XPS 1330 and the Inspiron 1525 for $949 and $549, respectively. Both PCs are equipped similarly to their Windows Vista versions (the Ubuntu XPS 1330 comes with a Core 2 Duo T5550 CPU instead of a T5750, the Inspiron 1525 with a T2370 instead of a T2390 CPU as well as only 1 GB of main memory instead of 2 GB), but priced at $50 less than the Windows models – thanks to a $50 and a $25 rebate.

If you are wondering why the Ubuntu PCs are not cheaper than the Windows Vista PCs, keep in mind that such Linux PCs have been much more expensive in the past – due to the customization work that is necessary to take PCs off the production line and install Linux.

There is also an Ubuntu desktop PC – the Inspiron 530N, which is priced at $449 and $50 below a 530s Vista model with exactly the same hardware. A FreeDOS version of the PC is offered with an E4600 Intel chip for $539.  

Dell said that it will expand its Ubuntu offering in early August with the XPS M1530n and Studio 15n.

Must be really serious...

Jul 18, 2008 12:10     

That would explain the importance of listing this article twice only 2 minutes apart. But seriously, this should provide interesting. With an institution as large as Dell, more people will be likely to at least give Linux a try just because of seeing support from a major player. Especially the college students who already get Windows for free from Microsoft's Academic Alliance program. In which case if the Linux isn't working out for them, then they can just slap on their free Windows OS (only while a student of course) and suddenly have a $50 cheaper Windows PC. Note: Article posted at 11:45 would not allow comment to be posted and has since been removed.

Nick B. report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Ubuntu is not easy enough for daily use yet.

Jul 18, 2008 15:28     

Ubuntu is not easy enough for daily use yet. especially the adobe flash player..
vista1984 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -25

It's easy enough

Jul 18, 2008 20:31     

I'm typing this message on a Inspiron 1525N with Ubuntu Gutsy and it's fast and easy to use and configure. As for the flash player, the previous poster is repeating FUD. Here's how to install the flash plugin: sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree Then, type your password and that's it. Updates are automatic. I'd say it compares favorably the loops you have to go through to get this simple thing done in Windows. ;)

bouchecl report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +6

They aren't serious yet

Jul 18, 2008 20:52     

You still have to go searching to find their Ubuntu systems. IOW's you have to know what you're looking for to find one. The day Dell offers Ubuntu as a choice of OS right next to Windows in the configuration options available by default is the day I will agree that they are actually serious about selling units with Linux installed.
freddy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

A year ago?

Jul 18, 2008 21:18     

I'm a bit confused by the title. Dell launched its Ubuntu consumer PC line well over a year ago. I've bought quite a few of the 530N desktop machines over the past year for $349 (without the monitor). They simply upgraded to the latest version of Ubuntu and did a hardware refresh today. They used to have quite a few more models with Ubuntu.
cabdriverjim report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Easier than that

Jul 18, 2008 21:58     

There's actually an easier way to do it, graphically too. Open Add/Remove in the menu and search for flash. You'll find the player there. Install it. You're done. If you want all the major plugins and codecs in one stroke, search for "restricted" and install the ubunt-restricted-extras package. You'll get codecs, fonts, Flash, and Java.
Daeng Bo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

I have a Dell Dimension E520n that came with Ubuntu

Jul 18, 2008 22:29     

It rocks! I'm loving it to this day. I've had it over a year now. The best part is the free operating system updates every six months that make my system dramatically cooler!
Derek Buranen report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Ubuntu is easy enough for grandparents

Jul 19, 2008 00:07     

My folks are in their seventies and they use an Ubuntu version called Kubuntu (because the KDE environment is nice and more customizable) with no problems. Seriously, if you need a hand, one of them can even show you how to burn a CD. They're old hands at this computer stuff. They've had their laptop for a whole year now.
rob enderle report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Price difference inaccurate

Jul 19, 2008 00:25     

The price difference is not represented correctly. They only need to install the OS once per hardware setup (at most) and then they just disk duplicate. But Linux is more scriptable for variations in setup, so they only need to install once. Dell just sees a way to make a little extra money in a tight market.
Hawkeyeaz1 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Wastrel...oh wait, you want a title of the message and not *my* title?

Jul 19, 2008 03:20     

Ubuntu is fine for people who are familiar with Windows. It's close enough. However, it's not for people who aren't willing to even learn something new (I ran into this, this week) and are stuck on *one* specific version of Windows, because XP Pro isn't enough for surfing the web if the previous install was MCE (even though the user never used any of MCE's features and *didn't* have an MCE install disk). *headdesk* In contrast to that, I've got one person who's been using Kubuntu since Dapper. He's a machinist. No college. Portuguese immigrant from the Old Country (Madeira). And this year he's a grandpa. He told me "I don't see what's so hard about it, it's just like Windows." (while I cringed a little, I was happy) So, uh, yeah, Linux is ready for the masses.

Boyle M. Owl report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

It's even easier on Mandriva Linux

Jul 19, 2008 18:57     

Flash is installed as part of the OS install, on Mandriva One and Mandriva Powerpack. Of course, typing that magic incantation at the command line, when the OS is pre installed, is easier than doing a full OS install to have the software installed automatically. However, you need to know that magic incantation, and that there is such a thing as the command line. If you are a real noob you are not going know this and will prbably spend hours searching the intenet for information on how to install the Flash player. But.. that assumes you are not a complete noob, and that you have actually do have a friend named Google. The point is Ubuntu may have the marketing power, due to the money it's sugar daddy supporter has, but there are Linux Distributions that are actually easier to use. Mandriva Linux is one such Linux Distribution.

tracyanne report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Actually, Flash is Easy...

Jul 19, 2008 19:07     

... just click the message that pops up on a page that has Flash in it and you get the installation options -- Adobe's and two open source options. I suspect Windows immigrants would choose the Adobe option, since it's listed first and they'd know the name. Installation is pretty easy from there on, and certainly no harder than on a Windows system.
Clay Berlo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Glad to hear this

Jul 20, 2008 21:04     

I'm glad to hear that Dell are going to offer consumer-level PCs with Ubuntu preinstalled. When my nearly-computer-illiterate workmate got sick of all the problems with her brand-new Vista notebook, I built her a computer with Ubuntu. The Dell machines will mean that people without computer-building skills will still be able to hook up their frustrated friends with Linux machines. I did have some hardware problems with the machine I built too (suspected defective RAM slot) so I think next time I'd rather buy a professionally built and tested machine. (For the record, she's very pleased with the computer and just bought and installed a printer all by herself).

3rdalbum report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

I agree with freddy...

Jul 21, 2008 09:38     

...Dell isn't serious until they un-bury their Ubuntu offerings. I just went to look at the 1525, I selected the most obvious (prominent) links for the 1525 and there were no Ubuntu options in the O/S component. I used their very excellent online chat help service and they directed me to the Ubuntu page. After finishing with them (very good service, I recommend it to anyone) I went back to the laptop page and low and behold, O/S choices! At the very bottom of the left column. Not very easy to find if you didn't know it was there. The link took me to the page the online chat help directed me to, so that's good. However, I built one w/Ubuntu and one w/Windows, and I DON'T like the false limitations on the Ubuntu equivalent. you could only get your display with a 1680x1050 resolution if you purchased a Vista Laptop (only 1280x800 on the Linux one) both with 15.4" display. I had bags, mice, routers, all kinds of stuff offered on the Vista laptop that was not on the Ubuntu laptop, all stuff that would work with Ubuntu, just not offered. Almost like when you go to a car lot and they show you the loaded SUV, taking an hour to tell you about the features, but when you say you just want a little town runner car with good milage, they point you at the corollas as they leave you in the lot and go back into the store. They might have Ubuntu on the lot and they're moving em, but they're still not serious about selling 'em. ,ValentineS

ValentineS report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

$582 off the XPS M1330 VISTA ONLY this weekend

Jul 27, 2008 02:10     

Looks like this weekend you can get $582 off the XPS M1330 - but only on the Vista versions. I configured one of each OS to do an apples-to-apples compare, and even then it was $46 more, for a total of $628 cheaper for a good Vista laptop($1484) than the equivalently configured Ubuntu one ($2116). AND, you can get up to a 2.6GHz/6MB proc with Vista, only a 2.2GHz/4MB proc with Ubuntu. Not exactly pro-Linux maneuvers. I wonder if customer service can apply the discount to Ubuntu laptops?

Aaron report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

If the vista pc is cheaper..

Jul 29, 2008 02:13     

If the vista pc/laptop is cheaper then the ubuntu version. Just download the ubuntu cd and install. That way you have a nicely priced ubuntu pc with the option to run vista (if you really want to). It only takes half an hour.
Phil report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0