4 ms·

Is there a lesson in this for Dell, HP, and other Microsoft-friendly OEMs? I don't know, is there? I was under the impression that Dell has successfully been

by iamdave 18y ago

Is there a lesson in this for Dell, HP, and other Microsoft-friendly OEMs? I don't know, is there? I was under the impression that Dell has successfully been distributing devices with Ubuntu installed.

grouchyOldGuy 18y ago
Dell has long been ambivalent about Linux. Their earlier offerings were difficult to locate on their website. They rarely mentioned Linux in their direct mail catalogs. Only recently when they switched from SUSE to Ubuntu have they increased the visibility of their Linux offerings. It's slowly gaining momentum there. I look forward to the day when they start advertising that they sell Linux on their TV ads.
- FraaJad 18y ago
  I often hear that Ubuntu is not visible on Dell's website. After reading your comment, on a lark I typed www.dell.com/ubuntu . voila! that URL does take you to a Ubuntu specific page :)
  - vetinari 18y ago
    Do you think that people browsing Dell site are going to type in the ubuntu url? They may never heard of it. On the other hand, Dell is capable to upsell vista with xp. Why are they not capable to offer ubuntu using the same mechanism?
TweedHeads 18y ago
Dell offers a Mini 9 with XP for $349, with Ubuntu for $359, how that can be? Answer: M$ strongarming Dell
- DanHulton 18y ago
  Answer: They want to discourage price-senstive people from buying Ubuntu. Why? Because price sensitive people tend to be new to computers. And people who are new to computers will have a harder time using Ubuntu than XP, which raises Dell's support costs. Try using your head next time.
  - vetinari 18y ago
    People new to computers have no existing assumptions, how the computer should work and in fact have easier time to use Ubuntu than those exposed to XP/Vista previously. Try observing reality around you next time. (Yes, flame, he asked for that. It is amazing what some people are able to rationalize and be rude in the process).
  - allenbrunson 18y ago
    oh man, so close! i agree with most of that, and was just about to vote you up, until i read "try using your head next time." i know we've got a lot of new people lately, so: no insults on hacker news, folks.

by iamdave 18y ago

grouchyOldGuy 18y ago

Dell has long been ambivalent about Linux. Their earlier offerings were difficult to locate on their website. They rarely mentioned Linux in their direct mail catalogs. Only recently when they switched from SUSE to Ubuntu have they increased the visibility of their Linux offerings. It's slowly gaining momentum there. I look forward to the day when they start advertising that they sell Linux on their TV ads.

FraaJad 18y ago
I often hear that Ubuntu is not visible on Dell's website. After reading your comment, on a lark I typed www.dell.com/ubuntu . voila! that URL does take you to a Ubuntu specific page :)
- vetinari 18y ago
  Do you think that people browsing Dell site are going to type in the ubuntu url? They may never heard of it. On the other hand, Dell is capable to upsell vista with xp. Why are they not capable to offer ubuntu using the same mechanism?

TweedHeads 18y ago

Dell offers a Mini 9 with XP for $349, with Ubuntu for $359, how that can be? Answer: M$ strongarming Dell

DanHulton 18y ago
Answer: They want to discourage price-senstive people from buying Ubuntu. Why? Because price sensitive people tend to be new to computers. And people who are new to computers will have a harder time using Ubuntu than XP, which raises Dell's support costs. Try using your head next time.
- vetinari 18y ago
  People new to computers have no existing assumptions, how the computer should work and in fact have easier time to use Ubuntu than those exposed to XP/Vista previously. Try observing reality around you next time. (Yes, flame, he asked for that. It is amazing what some people are able to rationalize and be rude in the process).
- allenbrunson 18y ago
  oh man, so close! i agree with most of that, and was just about to vote you up, until i read "try using your head next time." i know we've got a lot of new people lately, so: no insults on hacker news, folks.