4 ms·

Too bad the hardware is overpriced... Reflects bad on Ubuntu.

by codebeard 13y ago

TsiCClawOfLight 13y ago
It's actually pretty expensive to build that powerful of a system in that format.
- icegreentea 13y ago
  This is the crucial point. For the performance specs, the X51 is somewhat overpriced, even if you take into the account usual cut of a distributor. However, given it's form factor (it's basically the size of a game console), it's actually amazingly priced.
  - TsiCClawOfLight 13y ago
    My thoughts exactly. I don't think it's even possible to beat this by yourself, and I'm certainly the demographic that would try.
    - tracker1 13y ago
      I spent about the price of the low end to upgrade my desktop to a AMD's current top 8-core... that doesn't include re-using my video card, case and hard drives. It's not a bad option at all. May actually get a couple of the lower end ones, as both my grandmothers are due for an update, and one of them needs to get away from windows (too much crapware gets installed).
  - doktrin 13y ago
    Agreed. I would normally not consider purchasing a pre-made desktop, but this form factor does make it quite tempting. I would not feel ripped off, whereas historically I always felt Alienware machines were a little overpriced.
mehrzad 13y ago
This is Alienware we're talking about.
- Jach 13y ago
  Additionally this is Dell-acquired Alienware.
IheartApplesDix 13y ago
If you do your research Dell/Alienware is actually very competitively priced. Most people discount the service, which is tech-onsite and parts for 1 year.
- kyrias 13y ago
  It's competitively priced compared to computers which are delivered with Windows and thus have that price included.
  - tracker1 13y ago
    The shovelware on those systems actually offsets the cost of windows licenses, and sometimes to the point that they make more than windows licenses.. I'm assuming this doesn't come with that.
    - IheartApplesDix 13y ago
      I don't recall seeing any shovelware or bundles on my Alienware, besides the "gamer" goodies which I'm sure appeal to some.
macco 13y ago
Why should it. Premium OS -> Premium price. Ubuntu is about free as in freedom, not free as in beer. ;) Actually I think, Dell has a real chance to get better margins with Ubuntu. They can position themself as the computer company for open-source users and maybe even as an Apple alternative is the mass market - impossible with Windows.
- klrr 13y ago
  Just a note, I think Ubuntu is marketed as an open source OS, the OSI definition says it has to be freely distributed. Strangly enough it's free software that is free as in freedom, not as in free beer, open source is free as in free beer (according to OSI).
  - tracker1 13y ago
    Funny, I downloaded Ubuntu free of charge last month. I know you have to click differently, but given their failed attempts to monitize, who can blame them.
    - klrr 13y ago
      My statement about OSI was wrong, but Ubuntu is free of charge and will always be. Canonical can't charge for software they have only partly written.
  - eurleif 13y ago
    Where do you see that in the open source definition (http://opensource.org/osd http://opensource.org/osd)?
  - Flimm 13y ago
    No, open source does not have to be free of charge, according to the OSI. The first clause clearly says: "The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the software"
    - klrr 13y ago
BHSPitMonkey 13y ago
I would think cheap, "eMachines" boxes are what would reflect badly on Ubuntu.

Too bad the hardware is overpriced... Reflects bad on Ubuntu.

TsiCClawOfLight 13y ago

It's actually pretty expensive to build that powerful of a system in that format.

icegreentea 13y ago
This is the crucial point. For the performance specs, the X51 is somewhat overpriced, even if you take into the account usual cut of a distributor. However, given it's form factor (it's basically the size of a game console), it's actually amazingly priced.
- TsiCClawOfLight 13y ago
  My thoughts exactly. I don't think it's even possible to beat this by yourself, and I'm certainly the demographic that would try.
  - tracker1 13y ago
    I spent about the price of the low end to upgrade my desktop to a AMD's current top 8-core... that doesn't include re-using my video card, case and hard drives. It's not a bad option at all. May actually get a couple of the lower end ones, as both my grandmothers are due for an update, and one of them needs to get away from windows (too much crapware gets installed).
- doktrin 13y ago
  Agreed. I would normally not consider purchasing a pre-made desktop, but this form factor does make it quite tempting. I would not feel ripped off, whereas historically I always felt Alienware machines were a little overpriced.

mehrzad 13y ago

This is Alienware we're talking about.

Jach 13y ago
Additionally this is Dell-acquired Alienware.

IheartApplesDix 13y ago

If you do your research Dell/Alienware is actually very competitively priced. Most people discount the service, which is tech-onsite and parts for 1 year.

kyrias 13y ago
It's competitively priced compared to computers which are delivered with Windows and thus have that price included.
- tracker1 13y ago
  The shovelware on those systems actually offsets the cost of windows licenses, and sometimes to the point that they make more than windows licenses.. I'm assuming this doesn't come with that.
  - IheartApplesDix 13y ago
    I don't recall seeing any shovelware or bundles on my Alienware, besides the "gamer" goodies which I'm sure appeal to some.

macco 13y ago

Why should it. Premium OS -> Premium price. Ubuntu is about free as in freedom, not free as in beer. ;) Actually I think, Dell has a real chance to get better margins with Ubuntu. They can position themself as the computer company for open-source users and maybe even as an Apple alternative is the mass market - impossible with Windows.

klrr 13y ago
Just a note, I think Ubuntu is marketed as an open source OS, the OSI definition says it has to be freely distributed. Strangly enough it's free software that is free as in freedom, not as in free beer, open source is free as in free beer (according to OSI).
- tracker1 13y ago
  Funny, I downloaded Ubuntu free of charge last month. I know you have to click differently, but given their failed attempts to monitize, who can blame them.
  - klrr 13y ago
    My statement about OSI was wrong, but Ubuntu is free of charge and will always be. Canonical can't charge for software they have only partly written.
- eurleif 13y ago
  Where do you see that in the open source definition (http://opensource.org/osd http://opensource.org/osd)?
- Flimm 13y ago
  No, open source does not have to be free of charge, according to the OSI. The first clause clearly says: "The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the software"
  - klrr 13y ago

BHSPitMonkey 13y ago

I would think cheap, "eMachines" boxes are what would reflect badly on Ubuntu.