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Dell still offers a Linux workstation. It comes with RedHat Enterprise Linux. They also have OSless desktops.

Don't get too excited though. It is still cheaper to buy a system preloaded with Windows XP than it is to purchase the exact system without an OS. I recently compared an Optiplex 170L (w/XP) to an Optiplex 170LN (w/FreeDOS on disk but not installed). The 170L came in at $593 while the 170LN with the exact same hardware and support contract was $716. Go figure. Mad propz to the U.S. Justice Department for keeping the Microsoft monopoly in check [end sarcasm].

Uh...you can order several single and dual processor Dells with Red Hat Enterprise preloaded. Dell Workstations

You're right, Dell would never offer Linux in the US.

You're right, Dell would never offer Linux in the US.

You're right, Dell would never offer Linux in the US.

look here

Or just go to www.dell.com and look towards the bottom right.

I don't get any of this. Dell's been offering Linux on its servers and Precision Workstations for about three years, partnered with RedHat. Some time ago in the US they created an "N series" line which shipped with no OS, with Linux as an option. Dell has employed developers to work on improving Linux's stability and compatibility. Dell has been very good about Linux in general, even having agents for its Open Manage software that run on Red Hat.

Admittedly they don't heavily advertise what is really a niche product, but they have http://www.dell.com/linux plus a page that is dedicated to these alternative OS desktops; Their support pages typically have several variation of Linux listed for downloading drivers, etc.

Seriously, how much Linux support do you want from them? Are you waiting for the Dell guy to announce "Dude, you're getting a Gentoo Dell!"

I don't get any of this. Dell's been offering Linux on its servers and Precision Workstations for about three years, partnered with RedHat. Some time ago in the US they created an "N series" line which shipped with no OS, with Linux as an option. Dell has employed developers to work on improving Linux's stability and compatibility. Dell has been very good about Linux in general, even having agents for its Open Manage software that run on Red Hat.

Admittedly they don't heavily advertise what is really a niche product, but they have http://www.dell.com/linux plus a page that is dedicated to these alternative OS desktops; Their support pages typically have several variation of Linux listed for downloading drivers, etc.

Seriously, how much Linux support do you want from them? Are you waiting for the Dell guy to announce "Dude, you're getting a Gentoo Dell!"

I was kind of disappointed when Dell announced these machines - I'm hoping that they'll move to a better distro in time. Fact is I, like lots of people who run small businesses, use Dell hardware because it is pretty good, pretty cheap, and the after care is excellent. However getting Linux working on said hardware is generally a pain in the proverbial. The weird thing about the choice of Linspire/Lindows/Lin--- is that Dell had been quietly supporting Red Hat on their machines for ages linux.dell.com

whats so great/new about this. You can get OS-less PowerEdge 400SC starting around $250(with instant and send-in rebates).

OS X takes less time to support than Linux because it's un*x-based (therefore stable) and the primary interface of the system is a GUI, not a CLI (by definition making it easier to administer).

Every single cryptic arcane placed-in-one-spot-on-this-system-but-placed-in-a- different-spot-on-another-system text-based configuration file is edited, not by hand, but via a GUI. Instead of an IT staffer spending 4 hours figuring out what file they need to edit, and how to restart the services after editing on that particular box, they spend 15 minutes trying to find the GUI frontend, and then 30 seconds making the change, and the GUI handles restarting the service.

BTW, ever priced out workstation-class hardware before? Linux systems are only cheaper if you use hardware that's not suited to the purpose you put them in. For the hobbyist, using a cheap POS system as a workstation or server is perfectly fine. In the real world, we can't suffer through problems caused by half-assed hardware. We require workstation-class features to work with the workstation-class hardware we're going to throw in the box (e.g. 64-bit PCI). We require our servers to be fscking servers, reliable hardware, bulletproof hardware, with the feature set to work with the hardware that we're going to stick in them.

An off-the-shelf Soyo motherboard isn't going to cut it, boyo. Once you throw all the cheap hardware out of the equation, the prices get much more in line.

- and the remote was pretty sexy (anyone wanna help me write a driver for Linux?)

Take a look at the LIRC 0.7.0 snapshots. The Microsoft remote has been in there for quite some time and works well. In fact, you can use the IR receiver that comes with it and quite a few compatible IR remotes.

I have MythTV set up with a PVR-250 and it's the best thing ever.

Hear hear! I have a Myth server running two Hauppauge PVR 250s and it is smooth. The guide is smart enough that I just select two shows to record and it handles the rest. The best part is that I have a Myth client running in the main TV room that is a stripped down Dell 4600c which I got refurbished for $360that fits perfectly into the entertainment center. All the advantages of the two tuners, but the quiet-ness of a small form factor PC. Awesome stuff AND two TVs can use the same recording repository!

Dells work-around is to sell the machine without a OS installed.

Are these machines being excluded because they are "workstations" and supposedly not desktops? Isn't the low end Precision 360n close enough to a "desktop" to qualify? It starts at $849 uses the Intel 875P chipset (Pentium 4). The only thing about this model is you're forced to choose a "workstation" graphics card (Quadro or FireGL).

Dells work-around is to sell the machine without a OS installed.

Are these machines being excluded because they are "workstations" and supposedly not desktops? Isn't the low end Precision 360n close enough to a "desktop" to qualify? It starts at $849 uses the Intel 875P chipset (Pentium 4). The only thing about this model is you're forced to choose a "workstation" graphics card (Quadro or FireGL).

Dells work-around is to sell the machine without a OS installed. Dell has offered Linux solutions for about 5 years. Dell.com/Linux

Heck, Pricewatch even lists them.

Woops. Here is a better (hopefully working link) to the Dell n series desktop systems without Windows.

Are you about Dell not selling any desktop systems without Windows? From their web site:

The n series features select popular models from the DimensionTM , OptiPlexTM and Dell PrecisionTM desktop lines sold without a Microsoft® operating system.

We bought a couple of these a few months ago. They came with FreeDOS and they work fine for doing FreeBSD development. I believe we found out about them on /.

You definitely make an interesting statement, but I'd be surprised if it's Microsoft behind this. I wouldn't really call Apple an enemy of theirs; there *is* MS software available on Mac OSs, and Apple and Microsoft don't really compete in the same arenas (primarily because Apple does not yet market a PC operating system).

Also, considering Dell's positive disposition toward Linux, I'd say that Microsoft is more unhappy with Dell than Apple at the moment.

OTOH, I wouldn't put it past Microsoft to play *all* sides of the market to further their means.

best of all, you can sync your Dell DJ with Linux

I think the i-line of products or e-line of products might be more what your looking for. Or you could just settle for something else.

Really?

Totally

Absolutely - $249 Dell Axim X30 with 802.11b and Bluetooth built right in I have the older X3i looks about the same except mine doesn't have bluetooth (no problem for me). I don't understand why the Dell handhelds aren't a bigger conversation piece, when I shopped for a PDA I couldn't find anything even remotely as nice as the Dell for the price.

But before using Google, you must buy a computer

Lets see 1024x768? No mention of a graphics chip. That should consern you. I have demoed simular screens. They are great conversation pieces, but I don't know of anyone who wants to look at one for any length of time. The image quality is generially bad compaired to Stereo Graphics or Nuvision.

BTW: If you are looking for a linux graphics workstation in a laptop...take a look at Dell M60 with the Nvidia quadro 700 Go. My company has purchaced several of these work horses and the only compaint we have is the wide screen when used with a projector. 1920x1200 is a great work environment however.

Even then, you're dealing with India, so they're not exactly accessible.

Nonsense! From a recent SEC filing:

One Dell Way
Round Rock, Texas 78682
(Address of principal executive offices)
(512) 338-4400

That's not in India, and it's not phone or email only.

I'm sure that a letter addressed to Micheal Dell, CEO or James Schneider, Senior VP at that address would be read by someone with the authority to ask why their website was turning away customers. Just the question, coming from on high, would be seen as a serious problem by the big bosses of whoever ignored the original complaint.

You're making the same mistake that I was talking about: you're trying to convince the peons that they should care about you and your money. If you're talking to them, they know they can ignore you: you can't fire them.

When their boss's boss is asking why the president of the company is on his tail about customers being turned away by the company website, they are going to have to do something to fix the problem. The big cheeses can and will fire them if they don't jump, and ask how high on the way up.

Half as in $1999 for this Dell desktop with an FX 5200?

you can hang a Pizza box on the wall, behind your LCD (if that's not on the wall already)

Or put it on a stand.

Example

I'm probably not the only one who feels Apple has a glaring hole in it's current product line: the small form factor desktop. At the moment, the choices are the HUGE G5 tower (clearly designed to be placed on the floor rather than on a desk), or the all-in-ones e/iMac. Personally, I don't find any of the desktop designs particularly attractive. The iMac design is really an acquired taste, while the eMac somehow manages to be uglier than the old CRT iMacs. Many people are moving to LCD screens, and Apple selection is a bit lacking.

I really wished Apple would release something like the Dell SX270 with a G4 at a low price, basically an e/iMac sans monitor. I know last time Apple tried something in this direction didn't work too well, but the Cube was just too expensive for what it offered.

There are plenty of reasons. For instance, look at Dell's site where you customize a computer (don't know if that link will work, but it's there...). All the "Help Me Now" links down the right are popup links. Many, many other places do this, especially on form pages. The reason is that if you're halfway through filling out a form then need additional information, you can't exactly navigate away from the page because sometimes coming back to the original page reverts the fields to their original values. (I'm not quite sure exactly when this happens and in what browers, but it *does* happen, even in Mozilla, at least v. 1.4.) Also, some other sites seem to like to pop up new windows, movie sites in particular. Not quite sure why that is. Maybe so they can be sure that it is the proper size and not too small or too large. Then popping up trailers and stuff in a separate window is somewhat common practice.

i call bullshit. you can buy a complete system with an ethernet card from dell's "outlet store" for less than $250. if this person can't be bothered to spend a lousy $250 on a PC to RUN HER BUSINESS, and instead makes the incomprehensibly foolish choice to trust hotmail to do it for her, it's probably not a question of if her business would have failed anyway, but when-- because people who make poor choices don't usually stop after just one.

isn't open source friendly?

have you not seen http://linux.dell.com?

>>Dell isn't open source friendly and doesn't seem to be trying either.

It figures an AC would say that: http://linux.dell.com/

I for one will not be buying from HP ever again, except maybe for laser printers...

"This theoretical console would also require a PC monitor or HDTV to display images and come with a full version of Windows as well as a CD burner and a keyboard and mouse."

Yes, you can buy one now and for considerably less money - Dell

Well, was bound to happen some day. Hard drive is probably the most expensive part of the hardware, and one can assume Microsoft already has software development covered.

However, even Dell's digital jukeboxes start at $200, and beating Dell pricewise is something out of ordinary (possible, but few have done it).

...before space travel is monopolized, like every other bloody field out there? It's not a question of "if". It's a question of "when". Monopoly (or quasi-monopoly, e.g. the Coke/Pepsi diopoly) seems to be the new way of doing business.

Right, because Sony, Pioneer, these kind of companies have no connection to DVD Video publishing, huh? And if they don't make the devices, capitalism dictates that someone else will step in and do as good a job, right? (No offense, but you're American, right?) Take a similar existing example: there's a huge demand for standalone video players with alterative codecs (DivX, XviD, Vorbis etc.) and packages (OGG, MKV). What's the capitalist response? The big players are not interested and the demand is (not) met by the Umax/Yamada player (and not a lot else), which sucks! It's not about 'them and us', not even about 'them, us and a third party' (RIAA), it's just about 'them' and their many and intertwined commercial interests...

You should consider basing it on DKMS. This is a Dell sponsored project to help manage the multiple kernel/source vs. binary/multiple driver versions mess that can result.

You can turn a DKMS-ized driver package into an RPM or SRPM too. You could then just shunt it off to RPM or YUM or APT to handle keeping track of them at a package level, using the distro's built in package system. (It'd still require DKMS to be installed for RPM to call the scripts that work the magic)

But having a central repository (or just running a service to point to where drivers would be, and offer to do that other stuff if possible) can not be a bad thing.

There's a White Paper on PCI Express from Dell: Here

for one thing, a dell jukebox is around 200 bucks...the equivalent ipod is like 400...that's $200 i could use on music...200 songs on iTMS man...that's around 15 standard CDs of music...
so yeah, i think that it's worthwhile to get my iTMS to run on my jukebox

It's been my experience that the idiots are the ones making the purchasing decisions, hence the nature of the advertising.

• Product A -- Claims to be 73% good.
• Product B -- Claims to be 96% good.
• Product C -- Claims to be 99.999% good.
• Product D -- Claims to be 100% good.

But if you see a big brand name (Microsoft, Cisco, Intel, etc.) on product C, you might say "Well, it isn't 100%, and they are a good company. Maybe it's the truth. Of course, claiming to be Product C happens, and that's where the trap is.

It might be that you are looking at Microsoft statement claiming "5 nines" of 99.999% uptime (that's down for 5 minutes each year). Or Sun claiming the same 99.999%. Or Cingular Wireless claiming 99.999% reliable networks, excluding several days of downtime that they must not factor into their percentage. Maybe it's that 99.999% pure copper speaker cable you were looking for. (For the chemists, here's a site where you can buy over a dozen other '99.999% pure metal' wires.) Lots of people get caught into that.

In some cases it really is justified. If I were a chemist, maybe having iridium wire that is only 99.9% pure might cause problems, and those extra 9's might be significant. But that usually isn't the case for most marketing.

But I don't think it's just a PHB issue, it's a problem of 'I really want the best, and I only want to spend 5 minutes to find out which one that is'.

frob

Of course, you'll probably want to hide the boxes because they'll look ugly.

Very recently two new sponsors for the irish precidency appeared, as can be see on their sponsors web page. These are Microsoft and Dell. Is this just a coincidence?

Here is Dell's response in a question about an AMD Dell. Click the link under knowledgebase. (A little old, but sadly their most current response.)

I read Bram Stokers Dracula at work on my Dell Axim.

The Axim was only $175 brand new. It came with an EBook reader and some free EBooks. It also has a SD slot plus a CF slot so you can add over 1GB of storage. (That's a lot of books).

Here is a link to the Dell Axim X5 This is the more powerful version that will play video as well.

Here is where I downloaded Dracula from

Always found the Sony Clie to be very readable. Good high-res (for PalmOS units, 320x240) displays and nice bright backlights. Won't do Microsoft Reader, but etexts and stuff should be fine. There's a lot of good PalmOS software (including specific eBook readers and whatnot), and relatively good Palm support for Linux in general. New ones are relatively expensive but you should be able to get older ones (like my PEG-SJ30) online for around $150 or less. Bad things include their reliance on Memory Stick.

If you don't like Sony, or you'd rather have a Windows-based one or whatnot, the Dell Axims are very nice. The X3 is very small and includes nifties like built-in WiFi. Plus, they're damned cheap - the 300MHz Axim X3 (doesn't have wifi) runs $199 retail. Hard to beat, pricewise. ASUS also makes some neat-looking ones too.

"You're forgetting who put all those PCs on the government worker desks. it wasn't some kickasss software a Unix vendor or local open source guru developed.

Was a little company from Redmond."

I realize this is a troll, but I'll bite.

The company that put the PCs on the government workers' desks wasn't from Redmond, it was from San Diego, or Austin, or Houston. All three of these companies started without Microsoft, and all three would still be providing computers to government workers, with or without the Redmond bully. (Oh, and Compaq was started by three guys from Texas Instruments, who wanted to design a computer to run all of IBM's (UNIX) software.)

Look at screens. Graphics cards have improved massively (electronics), screens (optics) used to be 1024x768 quite a while back, and typically aren't more than 1600x1200 now. The LCDs will hopefully change that though, since they're much more scalable (make more pixels) than a CRT (move beam faster).

See, this is why I want one of these. Unfortunately, there are no Mac-compatible video cards (yet) that can drive this puppy, and the PC cards that can still cost thousands of dollars. Still I must say, 3840x2400 at 22" (204dpi) is nothing to sneeze at. (or on.)

Then again, my Dell laptop packs 1920x1200 resolution into a 15" display, which is razor-sharp in its own right (150dpi). Jarring to realize that's barely over 2 megapixels.

Of course, as soon as they have a WHUXGA screen (7680x4800) on a 12" laptop, I'm there.