Dell Cosiders offering Linux

Santiago · #1 March 7th, 2007, 11:46 AM

Dell considers big change: offering Linux
PC maker says it received more than 100,000 customer requests for Linux and may offer it as a Windows alternative.
March 6 2007: 7:19 PM EST

BOSTON (Reuters) -- Dell is considering offering the Linux operating system as an alternative to Microsoft's Windows on its personal computers, a Dell spokesman said on Tuesday.

The PC maker said it received more than 100,000 customer requests for Linux in a "suggestion box" posted on Dell's Web site less than three weeks ago.

"We are listening to what customers are saying about Linux and taking it into consideration," said Dell spokesman David Lord. "We are going forward. Let's say, 'Certainly stay tuned.'"

Linux is an open-source operating system that is generally available for free and can be used to run most computers, including Dell's PCs.

Dell does not break out how much it charges for Windows when it calculates the cost of a computer system, but a basic upgrade version of the software generally retails for $99.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/06/tech...ion=2007030619

Fyron · #2 March 7th, 2007, 03:03 PM

They give something like a $80 discount if you get your system without any software.

IMO, it is not likely that they will actually preinstall Linux any time soon, as there are just too many varieties of Linux out there. Many of those customers would end up dissatisfied with whatever Dell chose, and format it anyways. I know I probably would. To be truly attractive, they would have to offer a variety of distributions, which would magnify support costs exponentially. They will probably simply continue selling OS-less PCs that have an eye towards Linux compatibility for the time being.

Atrocities · #3 March 7th, 2007, 06:34 PM

Dell is one of those kind of retailers that is best describe as "Poor."

Their products work fine for about a year, the length of their normal service contract, then start to have problems. My Dell lap top, less than a year old, is already giving me error message about virtual memory. It didn't do this before and the only real thing I have consistently used it for is to watch DVD's while in bed.

I call Dell support and an hour later, no kidding, I end up talking to some dude in India. This will not do I say and ask to speak to a rep from the US. This is a fast method for being hung up upon. I have now been on hold with Dell going on six hours. Do you want to listen to their hold music with me?

Ironically you post a post about Dell. What Timing...

GuyOfDoom · #4 March 7th, 2007, 06:39 PM

I ordered my current computer from Dell back in 2001. Prior to this I had no problems with Dell and they were VERY friendly over the phone for the minor tech support problems I had.

After chatting with many friends, family members, etc since then the following has happened:

1) All of their tech support has been outsourced
2) They have been increasing the amount of Dell specific products into their computers thus requiring you to goto Dell if your hardware ever has a problem or if you want to upgrade.
3) Extreme planned obselescence. There computers are literally programmed to die after your warranty expires (most often 1 year)
4) Their website went from listing helpful and useful information about your computer to being an "easy" and "user friendly" PoS that only confuses those that typicly order from Dell in the first place.

Atrocities · #5 March 7th, 2007, 07:00 PM

Well I just discovered that what I ordered from DELL, an XPS M140,Intel Pentium M Processor 740 (1.73GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) isn't what I got.

I was given an inferior product with none of the features I had requested, say for XP pro. I didn't get the extra memory I ordered and paid for. I didn't get the processor I ordered, I didn't even get the DVDRom/CD burner thingy that I was suppose to get.

And to boot, its a pre-owned lap top.

I thought only HP did this...

narf poit chez BOOM · #6 March 7th, 2007, 07:21 PM

Document it and send it back.

Atrocities · #7 March 7th, 2007, 07:51 PM

They are going to "fix" the problem. I don't want to send the Lap Top back as it has too much of my stuff on it. So they are going to credit my account the cost difference. That should lower my outstanding balance from 1100.00 to around 650.00. I am trying to get them to toss in a two year service contract as well for the fraud. But they are being resistant to that idea. I asked the lady who is handling my dispute about the "design to fail" programing and she denies this... like they would ever admit it. Hell if you can't get the US auto makers to admit it even after it has been proven, then there is no way in hell your going to get Dell to admit it.

I should have known better than to buy a PC from a company that can't even write its own name correctly.

parabolize · #8 March 7th, 2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Imperator Fyron said:
They give something like a $80 discount if you get your system without any software.

IMO, it is not likely that they will actually preinstall Linux any time soon, as there are just too many varieties of Linux out there. Many of those customers would end up dissatisfied with whatever Dell chose, and format it anyways. I know I probably would. To be truly attractive, they would have to offer a variety of distributions, which would magnify support costs exponentially. They will probably simply continue selling OS-less PCs that have an eye towards Linux compatibility for the time being.

This is nothing new. Compaq and HP have been selling computers with linux installed for some time and yes they only offer it with one RPM distro or the other. Some companies will install many different distros and simply don't offer support like Linux Certified. Considering most Linux distros make their money by support and they know their distro I think this is the way to go. Sad thing is they cost a butt load. Hopefully one of these companies will get big enough to get the deals on hardware.

Santiago · #9 March 7th, 2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Atrocities said:

Ironically you post a post about Dell. What Timing...

I know someone in India who told me

and I don't own a Dell

AgentZero · #10 March 7th, 2007, 11:01 PM

I have to say, my Dell experience was pretty good. I never really had any problems with it aside from XP going bellyup on me one time. And when it came time for me to move back to Canada, I decided to just pull the HD and leave the rest of the machine with a friend, when I popped the case (for the first time) I was surprised to find barely a spec of dust, and the interior of the case was very well cabled and nicely layed out.

I guess for once I got lucky when it comes to computers.