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Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Cyber Cynic

Dell is sticking with Ubuntu

27 comments

TAGS:Aus, Dell, desktop linux, Google Chrome OS, netbook, Ubuntu, Windows
IT TOPICS:Desktops & Servers, Hardware, Laptops & Netbooks, Linux, Operating Systems, Software, Windows & Microsoft

I really don't know how this rumor got started, but there are people talking about Dell no longer shipping Ubuntu-powered PCs. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The rumor might have started because Dell's U.S. Ubuntu sales page currently only shows Ubuntu-powered laptops and netbooks without a desktop PC in sight. That's because, according to Anne Camden, a Dell spokesperson, "We are currently transitioning desktop models, moving from the previous generation desktop (Inspiron 530) to a current generation Inspiron desktop. The Ubuntu Linux desktop offering should be back on the Website soon."

Other sources at Dell tell me that Dell Ubuntu-powered netbooks continue to sell well. Dell will not be leaving desktop Linux.

Asus, however, may be another story. After a story appeared that Asus would no longer be offering Linux-powered netbooks in the UK, I started asking Asus officials if that were true, and if it was, were they planning on no longer offering desktop Linux as an option in North America. It's been more than a week now, and no one from Asus has returned my calls. Not good.

It seems that I was correct in thinking that Microsoft has been busy trying to get vendors to shove Linux out of their netbooks. First, Microsoft told vendors what a netbook could, and couldn't be; now the boys from Redmond are doing their best to make sure that you won't have any choice about what operating system you'll get on your desktop or portable computer.

Dell, at least, is resisting Microsoft's efforts. Others PC companies are also showing interest in desktop Linux; it's just not desktop Linux that will be available this year: Google Chrome OS.

Google has announced that HP, Lenovo, Acer and Asus are among its many Chrome OS PC partners. In addition three mobile phone chip developers are in the mix: Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Freescale Semiconductor.

Dell and Intel, to name two were not on Google's list. That doesn't mean that they're not involved. Dell's Camden told me that "Dell constantly assesses new technologies as part of managing our product development process and for consideration in future products." Dell sources tell me that the Austin, Texas hardware manufacturer is tinkering with Chrome and considering how Chrome OS might fit into Dell's plans.

As for Intel, Nick Knupffer, Intel's global communications manager, tells me that, "We've been privy to the Chrome OS project for some time and work with Google on a variety of projects, including elements of this one. We applaud Google's move here. We don't have further comment."

So, what it all adds up to is that, for now, Dell is standing firmly behind desktop Linux. I only wish I could say the same about the other major hardware vendors. But, down the road, it looks like everyone may be offering Google Chrome OS.

We're in for some interesting times ahead my friends.

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What People Are Saying

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I use linux but if I buy a

Submitted by m0rph1as on December 23, 2009 - 12:19 A.M.

I use linux but if I buy a prebuild computer, I will buy it with Windows and I will tell you why.
When I looked at the specs of some prebuilt computers on the market with linux, the hardware isn't up to par and even worst, some vendors see how linux requires less ram and start you out with LESS ram than what a windows computer will have.
SUMMARY: Vendors can and do take advantage in any way to make more money than just getting a Prebuilt Gaming computer with Windows and installing linux on it

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MS Dell has no Ubuntu Desktops yet.

Submitted by Cozmo on September 21, 2009 - 9:52 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 and 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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Still no Dell Ubuntu desktops

Submitted by ram on August 23, 2009 - 10:49 A.M.

It is August 23rd now, and there's still no sign of any Ubuntu desktops on the Dell web site. Is Dell going to ditch Linux for good?

Linux continues to be one of the biggest jokes on the client!

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Dell Has NO Ubuntu Desktop Computers

Submitted by Cozmo on August 9, 2009 - 2:01 P.M.

Dell no longer carries desktop computers loaded with Ubuntu.

Dell no longer carries Mini9 netbooks loaded with Ubuntu.

Is Dell is a subsidiary of Microsoft?

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OS extermination is impossible!

Submitted by josvazg on July 22, 2009 - 4:07 A.M.

OS extermination is impossible and total market domination is not the important issue.

In the Windows vs Linux wars you end up reading arguments of how "superior is one OS to the other in this and that" and how is it going to wipe out the other "crappy" OS completely...
Forget it! it's not going to happen!
(AND it would be very bad in any case, Monopolies are ALWAYS BAD, even a Linux monopoly will hamper innovation)

Microsoft will continue to sell well their OSs and FOSS/Linux will never disappear.

What seems possible right now is that in a few years time we have:

1) Microsoft NOT being The OS Monopoly (the only option) but just the market dominant company. Their market share would be bigger than the rest (even the rest combined, maybe), but not so big as the users and vendors in the IT market would/could ignore the other options (drivers, hw support, interoperability, etc)

2) The Microsoft Tax would dissipate... as it would be very easy to find hw preloaded with the OS of your choice... or at least of the same family of your choice (a linux, a bsd, etc)

Both things might happen slowly but steadily (they are already happening now I think) so we might not notice them.

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System 76. Not only do they

Submitted by Dann on July 13, 2009 - 3:38 A.M.

System 76.

Not only do they sell net books with linux, but they also sell laptops on par with Alienware and other high-end vendors. With Ubuntu. For less. In my case, it could have been $300 less for a more powerful laptop. I'm still kicking myself for not finding them sooner.

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Vapoware Google Chrome OS partners?

Submitted by Anonymous on July 12, 2009 - 9:20 P.M.

"HP, Lenovo, Acer and Asus are among its many Chrome OS PC partners."

My understanding is that these "partners", have only said that they will evaluate Google Chrome OS, and have not committed to shipping anything.

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The really important thing

Submitted by josvazg on July 22, 2009 - 3:41 A.M.

The really important thing about Google Chrome OS is that, if Google does a good job enough we will have the following consequences:

1) Linux will be MULTIMEDIA RELIABLE AT LEAST! That is, current X.org/intel regressions, X Server legacy and the ALSA/OSS4 wars will be presented with an alternative or a at least a good solution for the end user.

2) Hw/driver support for Linux will improve faster, at least on the vendors that will offer the Google Chrome OS as an option on some of their machines. (Don't you even dream that HW vendors, specially big ones, love to be enslaved by Microsoft deals and prices... "they will poke them in the eye" whenever they can)

3) At the same time Google will get what they want... and that IS NOT market domination, but MORE people online and more revenue for them because of advertising, branding and stock prize.

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AntiTrust?

Submitted by SunMan on July 12, 2009 - 2:52 A.M.

How can M$ do this without getting hammered by anti-trust laws?

How come this monopoly is allowed to strong arm competitors off the shelf and out of the store?

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I start to believe that

Submitted by josvazg on July 22, 2009 - 3:27 A.M.

I start to believe that antitrust acts are just ways for the governments to put taxes on Microsoft and get pieces of their pie.

I do think the law should guarantee you that you are not paying the Microsoft Tax if you don't want to, in an easy manner, not having to go to court.

Other than that Microsoft only has the power their userbase gives them, and I refer both legal and pirated user-base, which combined are huge. But they have to be careful, because now things are different from a few years ago:

1) Apple has a significant market share and many people know there are other things apart from Microsoft (before many would think that Windows came kindof preloaded within the PC BIOS)... and they are not only different but better, cooler!

2) Linux is mature enough on the desktop to provide PC HW vendors with alternatives to Microsoft with little effort in the software area. This has produced 2 different kinds of strategies:

A) The Asus "Phantom Menace" trick... "Hey Steve!, make your OS cheap for us or else...". That is they don't really believe in Linux as an alternative, but they use it as a way to get better deals from Microsoft. It seems to be the dominant strategy right now.

B) The Dell "I am not married with anyone!" They prefer Windows because it sells better but they won't give up their Linux market either... and Microsoft needs to be careful in terms of licensing with them anyway.

So, more important that antitrust patches is the natural free market reactions... slow, but more effective. After all, Microsoft might be in their right to make good money for having "brought the PC to the masses" in the past... we (the costumers) must be the ones to tell them WE don't want to be reselled the same old OS and word processing technologies again and again, they should move to new stuff, OSs are commodities now!

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