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And just in case newbies are only looking at the pictures, they're sure to use images of machines that are not running X11, just to scare off any would-be Ubuntu wimp.

Linux should not be thought of as a Windows replacement, and Dell is sure to avoid the potential for careless customers to blame Dell for selling them what they accidentally ordered. And I personally am content for Linux to remain an OS "for advanced users and tech enthusiasts." But I know a lot of people in the community have viewed Dell's decision to sell Ubuntu as being one big step toward conquering Microsoft. There will be nothing but disappointment, as and Dell has ensured that Linux looks as frightening as possible to the average Joe.

This is what I see: Ubuntu page. Linux page Product page.

This is what I see: Ubuntu page. Linux page Product page.

This is what I see: Ubuntu page. Linux page Product page.

If Dell really supported Linux they should sell them at Wal-Mart also. I've yet to see any advertising from Dell about the new Linux systems for sale. Check out http://linux.dell.com/

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/u buntu?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
Go Ubuntu!

$699 is the price including a Special Offer. Will the Linux machines be subject to the same Special Offers?

According to the Dell E1505 page, the Inspiron starts at $948 ($699 After $249 Off Instantly!). Am I looking in the wrong place?

In the past, there Dell offered so many special offers that it was difficult to do price comparisons. One model may be '$699 After $249 Off Instantly!', but an Internet search would turn up a different e-value code, where the same model (same specs) was $649. Sometimes you could find another coupon for '$400 off instantly', but that special offer required a 3-year support contract (at $200 extra)-- so the actual price was $800, and you couldn't upgrade the CPU.

I've read that Dell is backing away from their confusing myriad of deals, so hopefully this is less of a problem then in the past.

In other news, this "coming soon image"
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/u buntu?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

used to be kinda different. And I made fun of it over here.
http://a4fs.net/img/lol.htm

Check http://direct2dell.com/ for blog postings.

Check http://www.dell.com/open for ordering (selling the three systems starts at 4pm CST).

If you read around the site somewhere, it mentions that they are US-only (dunno when UK is gonna get ubuntu systems, even Canada can't get their hands on this yet).

Hope this helps. I know I'm definitely saving a bit for the laptop.

I'll believe this deal has a chance when you can get an option from installing ubuntu as the OS by just going in through Dell's front page. Right now, this is all I see, no mention of Ubuntu for the E520. If this changes by 4 PM CST then I'll think that Dell's serious about giving linux a chance, but if you have to know about it before you can find it as an option, or go to a special page, I imagine it will only be as successful as their redhat offering.

Dimenson E520n ranges from $289 - $399 with FreeDOS. Ubuntu base price is $599, difference is +$310.

XPS 410 ranges from $899 - $1699 with Vista. Ubuntu base is price is $899.

Inspiron E1505 ranges from $699 - $1,560 with Vista. Ubuntu base price is $599, difference is -$100.

Dimenson E520n ranges from $289 - $399 with FreeDOS. Ubuntu base price is $599, difference is +$310.

XPS 410 ranges from $899 - $1699 with Vista. Ubuntu base is price is $899.

Inspiron E1505 ranges from $699 - $1,560 with Vista. Ubuntu base price is $599, difference is -$100.

Dimenson E520n ranges from $289 - $399 with FreeDOS. Ubuntu base price is $599, difference is +$310.

XPS 410 ranges from $899 - $1699 with Vista. Ubuntu base is price is $899.

Inspiron E1505 ranges from $699 - $1,560 with Vista. Ubuntu base price is $599, difference is -$100.

We get a very mixed message. Searching Dell's UK site for 'Ubuntu' brings up this page, but if you go through all the options on the online store, Linux isn't there.

To uninstall the Google URL Assistant, perform the following steps:

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
The Control Panel window appears.
2. Select Add or Remove Programs.
The Add or Remove Programs window appears.
3. Select Remove a Program.
The Add or Remove Programs utility window appears.
4. Click to highlight the URL Assistant program and click Remove.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the removal process.

In Internet Explorer, click on Tools,Internet Options,Programs, Manage Add-ons. Look for the CBrowserHelperObject published by Dell, then disable it.

Here are some URLs for the Dell models listed:

Dimension E520 Desktop - $370+

Inspiron E1505 Laptop - $700+

XPS 410 Desktop - $900+

I'm in the market for a new laptop, but unfortunately the E1505 is too large and heavy for my needs -- the base weight is 6.18lbs! Dell should really consider adding something smaller and lighter to the ubuntu-supported mix. How about the Latitude D420 ?

Here are some URLs for the Dell models listed:

Dimension E520 Desktop - $370+

Inspiron E1505 Laptop - $700+

XPS 410 Desktop - $900+

I'm in the market for a new laptop, but unfortunately the E1505 is too large and heavy for my needs -- the base weight is 6.18lbs! Dell should really consider adding something smaller and lighter to the ubuntu-supported mix. How about the Latitude D420 ?

Here are some URLs for the Dell models listed:

Dimension E520 Desktop - $370+

Inspiron E1505 Laptop - $700+

XPS 410 Desktop - $900+

I'm in the market for a new laptop, but unfortunately the E1505 is too large and heavy for my needs -- the base weight is 6.18lbs! Dell should really consider adding something smaller and lighter to the ubuntu-supported mix. How about the Latitude D420 ?

Here are some URLs for the Dell models listed:

Dimension E520 Desktop - $370+

Inspiron E1505 Laptop - $700+

XPS 410 Desktop - $900+

I'm in the market for a new laptop, but unfortunately the E1505 is too large and heavy for my needs -- the base weight is 6.18lbs! Dell should really consider adding something smaller and lighter to the ubuntu-supported mix. How about the Latitude D420 ?

Michael's Computers

What kind of computer does Michael Dell have? See for yourself. These are the systems and peripherals Michael is using right now. If you want to learn more about these products, or purchase one of your own, visit the links.

At home: Dell Precision M90

Hardware:

* Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 Processor
* 4GB DDR2 667Mhz DRAM
* 17" WXGA+ Widescreen LCD
* 160GB 7200rpm SATA hard drive
* 8X DVD +/- RW optical drive
* NVIDIA Quadro FX 3500 512MB

Software:

* Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn
* VMWare Workstation 6 Beta
* OpenOffice.org 2.2
* Automatix2
* Firefox 2.0.0.3
* Evolution Groupware 2.10

They currently have a yum repository: http://linux.dell.com/repo/software/ I can only imagine they would have a debian based repository as well.

I'd trust an ASUS Motherboard far more than whatever the hell is inside a HP or Dell this week.

If you have an unresolved issue, visit this site: https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.asp x/support/dellcare/en/outstanding_issues?c=us&l=en &s=gen

It goes to a group dedicated to resolving such issues.

Try their Web chat: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx /support/gen/chat

There are no unintelligible accents, or standard troubleshooting questions. You enter your service tag and go. I don't know who they've got manning the other side, but they get the job done, and probably for far less cost for Dell. I can get a replacement part overnighted with 5 to 10 minutes of chatting, everytime. It's excellent!

No, you do not understand the Dell manufacturing process. This effort can be done in a week. It is easy. You will see Ubuntu on Dell.com this month.

Dell already sells Red Hat and Suse on Servers and Workstations. http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetail s.aspx/precn_390?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04
This will start with one or two desktops and portables with more being added over time. 100% coverage will occour as old models expire and new ones are launched (providing the demand is there).

This will happen because Dell wants to improve it's brand. Dell's brand has taken a collossal hit as a result of outsourcing support to India. On slashdot at least, this will be money in the bank to restoring that damage.

He's running Vista on hardware that is a couple of years old, and he has the audacity to complain about performance on legacy equipment.

Um, actually, it's a Dell C521 purchased two months ago. And I upgraded the RAM for it, too. Imagine what it would be like with only 512MB...

Here's the system requirements for Aliens vs. Predator 2: "Pentium 3 or Athlon 450 MHz or higher, 128MB RAM or higher, 16MB DirectX 8 compatible 3-D video card, 1.3 GB hard disk space, 4X CD-ROM drive or greater,16 Bit DirectX 8 compatible sound card". This machine should be well above that. And yet, it runs as if it really were at the minimum specs.

To be fair, I only bought it so my wife could have her own machine to run Office on. It performs acceptably for that. But you might want to, y'know, actually read what I posted before you run off your mouth.

But for a Home user Gigabit Nics are standard on recent (2 year old) PCs from big vendors and fairly cheap if you are not married to "big brands" like iNTEL. The modem comes with your 1st patch cable.

If your set-up is a little more complex $119 gets you 8 1GB ports in a Dell PowerConnect 2708. http://lastore.dell.com/store/frameset.asp?c=jm&en tity_key=PCT2708_LAPRCLCOMX&entity_type=CFGSET&l=e n&s=bsd&shopper_country=jm&shopper_language=en&sho pper_segment=bsd&store_key=LATRANS

If that's not enough then you pushing the definition of "Family" used by ISPs. The Torvalds come to mind.

Disclaimer: I own an ultralight notebook, the smallest MP3 player I could find, a tiny car, and a Wii. I should be the target market for these things.

However, they really didn't bother to actually test market these things before putting them out there. For one, the lack of a keyboard really limits usability. Heck, keyboards are becoming standard on phones these days. To not have a keyboard on a laptop replacement is silly.

Two, they don't fit anywhere. They're way too big for a pocket, so you have to put them in a bag or backpack. At that point, you might as well just use a 3 lb Sony Vaio Tx, or a 4 lb Lenovo v, or a 4.5 lb Dell Xps or one of many other ultralight portables out there. And really, that's the key: laptops are losing weight as fast as the balance between performance and price will allow.

But worst of all, they never really had a use. They all take time to boot, so there isn't much use as a dayrunner. They have no keyboard, so word processing is out. And forget photoshop. What, exactly, are you supposed to do with one? Play halo? Web development?

Ultimately, all of the tasks that were supposed to be delegated to the UMPC were actually far better served by high-end phones. Need e-mail, texting, intranet access to a client database, and synching to a desktop? Just get a treo. They're about 1,000 dollars cheaper, and they fit in your pocket.

While I was intrigued by the concept, I won't be shedding a tear for the UMPC. They were far ahead of their time. Which is to say, someone was pushing them early in the hopes of making a quick buck.

The T60 widescreen is about half a pound heavier and half an inch thicker than a MBP; you get the regular ThinkPad goodies, but lose DVI, FW800, a slightly better graphics card, and OS X. The regular T60, being a 14" non-widescreen laptop with (usually) integrated graphics, really isn't the same type of product.

The X60 is very small and light, but doesn't have an optical drive and suffers a considerable power deficit compared to even a MacBook, let alone an MBP. (1024x768 screen is unusable these days, too.)

Of course, both are vastly, vastly better designed and made than more typical MBP competition.

but that is not what Michael Dell uses on his home laptop: Michael Dell's Computers... he runs Ubuntu 7.04 on his home laptop and Vista Ultimate on everything else.

Maybe he is starting to see the light...

Well, it boils down to a subjective determination either way, but the difference IMO is that the Macbooks look pretty "square," overall, in terms of being composed of straight lines, only with beveled edges to take off the sharp points. The Dells, on the other hand, not only have rounded corners but also seem to have some rounded design elements too (particularly right in front, although I suppose this is intended as a wrist rest) and this is emphasized by the two-tone plastic.

I admit that I'm probably biased, since I find the Macbooks more attractive overall, but when I just try to concentrate on "squareness" and "cleanness," the Dell seems to be lacking something that the Macbook has.

Anyway, to each his/her own. At the end of the day it's probably like comparing wristwatches or other objects that are fundamentally a combination of function and image.

Dell: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetail s.aspx/inspn_1501?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19 (Inspiron series)
Apple: http://www.apple.com/macbook/macbook.html and http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/
IBM/Lenovo: http://www-05.ibm.com/se/news/archive/images/compu ters/thinkpad/ThinkPad_T30/TH008889.jpg (this is the older IBM design) http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/9513.jpg (the newer "3000 series" Lenovo design, which looks like ass in comparison)

Personally I like the looks of the old-school IBMs most of all, just because they seem to have really followed the form-follows-function approach and the geek in me appreciates that; but the Apple ones are admittedly very sleek.

On the whole ... the Dells just radiate mediocre, and that's the last thing I'd want to project as an image.

Having never gotten around to visiting a Dell kiosk, do they have their business/pro models available for "touching and seeing"? I really have no interest in their Dimension and Inspiron lines, but those models are the only ones pictured on Dell's Direct Store web page.

Thinkpads aren't in the same class as the cheaper Lenovo 3000 series notebooks. The MacBook Pro is not in the same class as the MacBook (non-Pro). A MacBook (non-Pro) can't hold a candle to a Dell Latitude D620. That's an unfair comparison, but your comment seems to say that all Dell laptops are crap.

Anectodal comparisons vary. Comparing a three-year-old Inspiron to a brand-new MacBook (instead of an iBook) will make Dell look bad.

Where are you getting $1200 from? Dell will happily sell you computers with Windows Vista Business (that's the version without the games or media center installed) for under $500.

Also I've given Openoffice a chance, I really have. But there are some compatibility issues when saving a document as a .doc (they don't appear as they should in MS Word) and there are an awful lot of lacking features. It's the same reason why I'm forced to use Photoshop instead of GIMP because Photoshop is always many steps ahead of GIMP. The same goes for office.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx ?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DYCWRSV&s=dhs Yawn.

I kind of went along with that too, but have now re-installed XP out of frustration.

I'm using a Dual 8800 GTX video card (the Dell XPS H2C system: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetail s.aspx/xpsdt_710h2c?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs is my rig).

I have 2 fast disks striped w/hardware raid and things like file copies felt sluggish and slow. (Moving files around the hard disk).

Using the windows explorer was numbingly frustrating.

The Video driver would crash frequently, even after disabling SLI (I know, it's nVidia's problem, not MS's...) But, the driver would recover and then it would go into a chain of driver crash warnings.

The BSOD's would occur not hourly, but seemingly about 1-2x per week.

The AERO didn't seem to make the system sluggish, but I'm running the fastest video cards on the market..

I'm sure if your running a simple system, integrated graphics card and AC97 audio, your disk configuration isn't complex, or has good drivers.. you might be ok, but some of the subtle problems of vista don't show up until after a month or two of using it. (I've been using since Beta 2 off and on, including RTM and bought a copy at launch).

Funny enough, my wife got my old computer (dual core 3600+ AMD, 2 gigs ram and ATI Radion XT1800), and I put a copy of vista on that machine and it works fine, but all she does on her computer is open the web browser and play solitaire. She has FAR from high end hardware, and she runs it in the high graphics desktop mode without a hickup. the issues I've described on my machine doesn't bother her, she doesn't do things like open the file explorer or copy large files around.

We ordered a batch of dell low end desktop for customer-service reps here at our office, they are running Vista. They have integrated video cards (probably Intel) and it seems to be fine with Aero running, 1 gig of ram. But the only app they use is Mozilla.

I personally regret not buying a Mac Pro after spending 3 or so months fighting with Vista on my new machine, I've concluded that XP will have to work until it's EOL'd and I can feel I didn't completely waste my money on that Dell and buy another Mac to replace it.

Broken link, here's a working one

The ability to plant real trees is exactly what Dell's event is supposed to be about.

What's the difference between the customer paying for it or Dell footing the bill? Where do you think Dell got the money to foot the bill? Anyway, if only the virtual trees weren't just some PR move, that would be nice. For instance, if they sold different trees in Second Life that translated into the planting of a real tree, then that would be interesting.

Uninformed idiot.

http://www.dell.com/nseries

With new computers and top-end hardware running Vista at a crawl, I can't help but think that the 'Vista Ready!' sticker on many new machines just means it would make a really bitchin' XP box!

Bravo Dell, bravo. Now if you could make just one more leap and offer Linux, we'd be all set.

To sell computers with Windows preloaded, you can't sell the same models with and without Windows. That's why Dell has a separate n series. By using different model numbers, they can be sold without Windows.

On the desktop page, there's this link http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/w inxp_dimen?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs that inquires "Still looking for Windows XP?". Following the link brings you to a lovely chart demonstrating 7 reasons why Vista is superior to XP followed by a link to "Shop Windows Vista PCs". After that, the 4 Dimension desktop models offered with XP are shown followed by a link to XPS 710 systems. I assume it's the same setup for the laptop side. I sent Dell a note after I bought my last desktop (last week) basically to inform them that since I *have* to run XP, they missed the opportunity to sell me an Intel E6700 with 4G of RAM along with the remainder of the box. Looking at the ads for the 520 and 521 lines, they would miss again if I was looking to buy this week.

That's their watercooled offering that comes from the factory overclocked.

oddly enough, the no-OS laptops dell is offering cost the same or more than the equivalents with Windows. :-/

i'm looking into getting a linux laptop, and the best deal seems to be to get a dell with windows and load linux onto it yourself (make sure you configure it with linux-friendly hardware, though).

Every PC (desktop, noteobook, and workstation) in Dell's Small Business site offers XP as a configuration option. Same with every PC in HP's Small and Medium Business site (except RISC and Alpha workstations, of course). Same with every Lenovo. That covers the Big Three.

Are you buying "home" PCs for your clients? Are you limited to crappy vendors that only sell Vista PCs (even to business customers)?

Heh...OK, remember, you get what you pay for.

In both the laptop and desktop lines, "professional grade", please follow these links:

Apple laptop

Dell laptop

Now configure the Dell to match the Apple, to feature parity and see how much it costs (hint: $3101)
__

Apple tower

Dell tower

Now configure the Dell to match the Apple, to feature parity and see how much it costs (hint: $4097)

But wait! There's more!

With the Dell pre-installed option you get to take advantage of tens of thousands of malware installations that will happily take advantage of your purchase within 12 minutes of it being hooked to the internet *and* the most amazing array of destablizing crapware on the planet!

With the Apple pre-installed option you get a working computer, with few exploitable openings that will keep working for you for years to come. Not only that, it's *dead* sexy lookin'!

Mom was right.

Yeah, I know in your post, it's all about that mid-range, not the professional gear, AFAYC.

But the mid-range is just that, middle, non, center of the bell curve, and no matter how many garlands and bangles you hang on it, it'll always be just a middlin' machine.

I made my purchase, and am quite happy with it, thanks.

Heh...OK, remember, you get what you pay for.

In both the laptop and desktop lines, "professional grade", please follow these links:

Apple laptop

Dell laptop

Now configure the Dell to match the Apple, to feature parity and see how much it costs (hint: $3101)
__

Apple tower

Dell tower

Now configure the Dell to match the Apple, to feature parity and see how much it costs (hint: $4097)

But wait! There's more!

With the Dell pre-installed option you get to take advantage of tens of thousands of malware installations that will happily take advantage of your purchase within 12 minutes of it being hooked to the internet *and* the most amazing array of destablizing crapware on the planet!

With the Apple pre-installed option you get a working computer, with few exploitable openings that will keep working for you for years to come. Not only that, it's *dead* sexy lookin'!

Mom was right.

Yeah, I know in your post, it's all about that mid-range, not the professional gear, AFAYC.

But the mid-range is just that, middle, non, center of the bell curve, and no matter how many garlands and bangles you hang on it, it'll always be just a middlin' machine.

I made my purchase, and am quite happy with it, thanks.

or you could just buy one from Mike in Texas... http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx /desktops?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsddesktops http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx /notebooks?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsdnotebooks