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Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Cyber Cynic

Dell renews Ubuntu Linux desktop lineup

113 comments

TAGS:Dell, desktop linux, Linux
IT TOPICS:Desktops & Servers, Hardware, Laptops & Netbooks, Linux, Operating Systems, Software

Microsoft is doing its best to bury desktop Linux with lies — but at least one major vendor, Dell, isn't just continuing to deliver laptops and netbooks with Ubuntu Linux; it's actually upgrading the version of Ubuntu it's shipping and, later this week, it will start selling Ubuntu 9.04-powered Inspiron 537s desktops.

As Dell's Todd Finch, senior product marketing manager for Linux clients, promised at OpenSourceWorld several weeks ago, Dell is now shipping its existing netbook lines with the latest version of Ubuntu, 9.04. If you order a Dell Mini 9 (a personal favorite of mine that now sells for $199), the Dell Mini 10v, or the Inspiron 15n today, you'll get it with 9.04. In addition, Dell throws in DVD-playback and the media software to play MP3, WMA (Windows Media Audio), and WMV (Windows Media Video) files.

According to sources at Dell, they will also later this week start offering an Ubuntu Linux-powered desktop, the Inspiron 537s. Further down the road, Dell is considering offering Linux-based mobile devices, or smartbooks, which will be about the size of present day netbooks but use ARM processors. There is no delivery date for these computers.

You will, however, be able to order the Inspiron 537s by the weekend. While hard details aren't available yet, the 537s family is made up of strong, basic PCs in a variety of colors. They use Intel processors ranging from the 2.2GHz Celeron 450 to the 2.33GHz Core 2 Quad Q8200. All models in this family come with 16x DVDR/W drives and a choice of hard drives sizes, ranging from 320GB to 640GB.

The system also comes with two free PCI slots and one free PCIE slot. The 537s also has a hard upper limit of 4GBs of memory. Of course, that's more than enough RAM for Linux. For graphics, the system comes with an integrated Intel GMA x4500. The Ubuntu systems may have the ATI Radeon HD 4350 graphics with 512MBs as an option, but I'm not sure about that.

These systems will have a broad price range. While I don't have the price list, I expect to see prices start at about $250 for a barebones system and $700 for a fully-equipped box with all the extras.

Despite Microsoft's claims that there's no customer support for Linux, you can find Dell's support numbers, along with other support information for your Ubuntu-equipped Dells, on this Dell Ubuntu support page.

If you've been thinking about switching to a Linux netbook, laptop, or desktop, it's time to visit Dell. They have some nice hardware at prices anyone can afford and with the support you need to get going with desktop Linux.

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Ubuntu? from MS Dell & MS HP?

Submitted by Cozmo on September 21, 2009 - 9:42 P.M.

For a Quarter, (July, August, September) Dell has not sold Ubuntu desktop computers to home users here in the U.S.

Can we cut the bullsh*t. Rumor and wishful thinking aren’t computers and revenue. Dell and HP are effectively Microsoft subsidiaries.

Is Dell really going to start selling their 537 with Ubuntu any time soon?

They missed the whole back-to-school market, just like Microsoft ordered.

If only a major player would sell an Ubuntu Desktop Duo-Core, 2GB+ RAM, DVD-RW, with 19″flatpanel for under $500, there would be no need to look at Dell or HP when shopping Open Source.

Imagine Apple leaving the OS off a making an Open Source Box….
So much for radical dreams…

If MS-Dell was going to sell something, they would need more than the rumor mill, they would need a web page with working link to a desktop model…duh.

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Dell Ubuntu Desktop?

Submitted by Anonymous on September 17, 2009 - 3:07 P.M.

You said Dell was shipping Ubuntu-flovored desktops? Where are they listed on the Dell website?

dell.com/ubuntu only shows a selection of laptops. Is this yet another false start from Dell? It seems the re-worked Dell workstation line of ubuntu machines have been 'imminent' since late July.

Now Joy yet.

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Dell is late

Submitted by Anonymous on September 17, 2009 - 3:23 P.M.

Based on information from Dell, he said they WILL BE shipping desktops (not "was shipping"). Apparently Dell is running behind schedule. I also find only laptops under their Open Source section.

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You must be doing something right ...

Submitted by Justin on September 17, 2009 - 11:21 A.M.

Dear SJVN,

First of all, thanks for providing so many well researched articles showing us the current state of progress of Linux and other free software. You are doing a good job.

You have obviously attracted the attention of Microsoft's Technology Evangelists, as can be seen by the number of comments with venomous intent. Please see those comments as a sign of success. Realize that the venom contained in them is a sign of defeat and desperation on the part of Microsoft's TEs. Don't take any of them personally, even when they appear to be directed at you. Realize that in reality, what is happening is a concerted effort to silence the propagation of Linux. This loud cries will be silenced shortly when Microsoft realizes that the money it is spending on this shills is better spent elsewhere.

The future is free and there is nothing Microsoft and its shills can do about it.

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Dell doesn't renew the Ubuntu Linux desktop lineup

Submitted by ram on September 14, 2009 - 11:36 A.M.

Dell's web site makes no mention of any new Ubuntu desktops. All it shows for the Ubuntu option are two laptops or netbooks. What's the hold up, SJVN?

God, what a frigging joke Linux is! How will anyone in their right mind use a product that is called "Ubuntu"? The OS is a piece of junk, and even the name is unappealing!

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Buried again

Submitted by Anonymous on September 12, 2009 - 10:12 P.M.

Lovely to see that Buried on Digg.

Hope you have fun accusing MS of paying people to do what just comes naturally.

BURY!

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pointless argument

Submitted by Anonymous on September 12, 2009 - 2:24 P.M.

the windows vs linux thing is a pointless argument. If people are happy with thier OS then good. I like linux mint but my flatmate likes xp.
We know for most people a computer is just a tool for looking at youtube, sending emails etc, surfing the wed,getting music (legally or otherwise) and as a storage device for digital photo's etc, both linux and windows will do all of these things in a way that suits the average user.
As long as people are aware that both windows and linux will do what the average joe wants to do then im happy.
This zealotry from both sides is tiresom and dull.

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Fighting

Submitted by ben2talk on September 14, 2009 - 6:44 A.M.

Sure, I agree totally. I use XP for gaming and Linux for everything else. I simply prefer security and stabiltiy and get very bored with people who try to tell me that XP is BETTER or EASIER. For me, after a year, I find Ubuntu much easier than Windows. If I have a problem in Linux, I fix it. If I have a problem in XP, I re-image it.

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Linux is garbage, please

Submitted by Anonymous on September 11, 2009 - 6:53 P.M.

Linux is garbage, please quit spreading FUD. I'm tired of you less than 1% of computer users infesting every single tech news article with your religious zealotry and outright lies. No one cares about your crap OS that no one wants no matter how "free" it is. Time to start calling you all out on your BS.

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Linux is great

Submitted by Matias on September 13, 2009 - 12:25 A.M.

I've had several Windows OS's on my computers and i have to say they all have sucked badly. No security, no stability, easy to bsod, thousands of times blue screens and fatal errors.

When i 1½ years ago tried Linux Ubuntu first time i was very suspicious coz i have had very painfull experience with Red Hat some 9 years before that. But very soon i found Ubuntu as a decent and fine Linux distro. It was easy to install and easy to use, huge amount of applications. It was indeed stabile, secure and of course free.

I have had no problems so far with Ubuntu in my two desktop-computers. Later this summer i installed another one - Linux Mint 7. It was even more easier to install and use.

Those who are claiming that Linux is garbage haven't really try it ever. They are mostly marching in that Microsoft bandwagon, trying to defend Windows OS, the most stupid, unreliable, unstabile and unsecury OS ever made on this planet.

As we all know Windows was never really made for network world. It's just stand-alone operation system. Windows has been disastor but coz people believe in fairytails and Microsoft FUD they are too scary to try OS like Linux, Mac, Solaris and FreeBSD. They act like good subservients worshipping their master.

Can't you see similarities between Microsoft and former Soviet Union?

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