Dell drops online sales of Ubuntu
Dell's Ubuntu-based systems have quietly disappeared from the company's on-line store.
According to a Dell spokesman, who talked to PC Pro regarding the disappearance of the Ubuntu-based systems, the company is "currently making some changes to our Ubuntu pages, and as a result, they [the systems] are available through our phone-based sales only."
When quizzed as to the reason for the 'changes' which have seen Dell's Ubuntu-based systems disappear from the website - with only a single, business-oriented laptop available with the OS based on a search of the site - the Dell spokesman claimed that "the reason why they're not on our main pages is because Ubuntu systems are primarily targeted towards advanced users and enthusiasts, and the vast majority of consumers purchase PCs with Microsoft Windows pre-installed."
Dell's decision to restrict Ubuntu-based systems to telephone sales only - with, it has to be pointed out, no actual advertising to alert people of the fact that such systems are available if they bother to call up and ask - is likely to become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy: with no easy way to order a system running Ubuntu, Windows-based systems will continue to dominate the sales charges - giving Dell the perfect opportunity to cease offering the devices altogether at a later date with a minimum of backlash.
PCMag.com points out that Dell's own advice for choosing between Windows or Ubuntu warns that the Linux-based operating system is only suitable for users who "do not plan to use Microsoft Windows," or those who are "interested in open source programming" - a somewhat restricted set of choices that may come as a surprise to the operating system's estimated 12 million users.
Do you think that Dell's decision to drop Ubuntu-based systems from its website indicates a desire to drop the line altogether, or is the company just responding to a general lack of interest and making it easier for the vast majority of its customers to find the Windows-based system that they're looking for? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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Speaking of which.. Dell have made deals with MS concerning Windows Phone 7. And just after that the Ubuntu offerings start to disappear. Coincidence?
MS offered Windows Phone 7 to HP as well but HP said no thanks. They have that field covered with Linux-based systems. Personally, I would go to HP.
What's the problem here? If you want a linux based OS then just download and install one!
Because I don't want to pay for something I won't use (MS oem license)? At least Dell offers some notebooks without any OS (but not in every country), too bad Sony won't do the same, as Dell's notebooks aren't really worth the time and money lately (overheating and/or throttling CPUs, poor build quality and so on).
Most users would not buy an linux based system due to issues getting stuff working, even my self tryed it but nothing has changed from 10 years ago when i last used it i can still brake it in less then 1 hr use (norm broken updater that has No self heal so once broken you need to drop to command line and fix it that way that tends to be longer then the a to z)
Then don't buy from Dell!
http://www.gadgetvenue.com/hp-windows-phone-7-wont-happen-07241043/
Yes, we all know how commercially bad Linux based products have been to the big players. Big players like Google, IBM, Dell, HP, Cisco? No wait...
"no actual advertising to alert people of the fact that such systems are available if they bother to call up and ask"
ps. "There should be a non-Windows / free OS option" there is, if you are in Britain.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/laptop/range/x10white.html
It's not difficult. Call them up to order and request no Windows OS. They will then offer a free hardware upgrade instead of the OS.
Im getting a serious case of DeJaVu right now
Why should they set an example? businesses drop commercially unviable products all the time, from their own figures dell have decided to drop the product from online purchase, you can still get it if you really want it though.
The problem is that linux ISNT for your average joe thats spent the last 10+ years on a windows OS, there will always be issues with some software, hardware or peripheral which we (bit-techers) would work around, that average joe couldnt even with all the steps laid out infront of them.
I usse ubuntu on my netbook and media PC and its better in those situations than any windows install, but i still wouldnt use it on my main rig or lappy.
I rarely say this to crazyceo but I agree.
urgh i feel dirty....
Is the explanation.
You're welcome.
In fact they probably think that windows is part of the hardware, not software!! So to then have a company telling them that they could try something that they haven't ever heard of, when they know windows and (ignorantly) like windows is an absurd proposition... people don't like change and never will.
I like linux, but having just been studying it next to windows, people surveyed just don't like it because it isn't windows... can't get around that.
How is liking windows "ignorant"? There are plenty of things to like about it.
Of course, the systems dell was/is selling with Ubuntu on aren't really good enough to run windows anyway... netbooks are far too wimpy for a proper windows 7 experience, IMHO.
I think we should also be mindful of the move by consumers away from static desktop PCs to mobile devices. With Google prepping ChromeOS and Android already being the largest smartphone OS, I expect we'll see Dell selling these devices in the future.
This does rather beg the question "what else is it for".
Being a somewhat worse, more difficult-to-use desktop OS than Windows? Frankly I'm still impressed every time I get a Linux box to successfully print something, it's not really a day to day experience I particularly hanker after.