Slashdot Mirror

Canonical has bullshitted too much in the past to be taken seriously about this. Several times, they've announced that new products from major vendors (Asus, Dell) would run their version of Linux. Never happened. They need to STFU until the product ships.

Who is voting up this dumbass?

http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/os-applications/w/wiki/3685.dell-xps-13-laptop-developer-edition-a-client-to-cloud-solution-project-sputnik.aspx
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009F1I16K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009F1I16K&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwcanoniccom-20#productDetails

Sure there is. http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/services/prosupport/computrace?c=uk&l=en&cs=ukbsdr3 Computer will ship with the Laptop Tracking and Recovery software agent and a persistence module embedded in the BIOS. The software agent can survive operating system re-installations, hard drive reformats and even hard drive replacements. When a lost or stolen computer connects to the Internet, the software agent contacts the monitoring center to report the computer’s location. For systems with GPS technology included, Laptop Tracking and Recovery has the ability to capture and report more detailed location information. It also provides the ability to track your laptops as they change hands or move around the organization.

... you go to Amazon to find the best price on an Alienware?

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51-r2/pd.aspx

$699 to start.That gets you an i3-3220, 6GB of RAM, a 1GB NVIDIA GTX 645, and a 1TB spinny platter drive.

Dell XPS 18 Tablet

we couldn't find any laptop vendor supplying 3rd generation i7 powered laptop that runs Windows 7

i'm not sure if i missundestood you, english is not my primary language, but srsly?!?!

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/laptops.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&~ck=mn#!facets=80770~0~16063830,226292~0~14720685&p=1

took me 60 seconds, first stop.

I don't know who's doing your purchasing, but they don't know what they are doing. Here is a nice list of Dell laptops with i7's and Win 7 Pro
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/latitude-laptops.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~ck=mn#!facets=80770~0~16063830,226292~0~14720685&p=1
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-laptops.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~ck=mn#!facets=80770~0~16063830,226292~0~14720685&p=1

I don't know who's doing your purchasing, but they don't know what they are doing. Here is a nice list of Dell laptops with i7's and Win 7 Pro
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/latitude-laptops.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~ck=mn#!facets=80770~0~16063830,226292~0~14720685&p=1
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-laptops.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~ck=mn#!facets=80770~0~16063830,226292~0~14720685&p=1

But in the end, it all comes down to cost. Current Thunderbolt displays are rather expensive. Heck, I picked up a dual-link DVI monitor of the same resolution for $275 on ebay!

That monitor of yours may have the same number of pixels as a Thunderbolt Display, but it has a cheap low-end TN screen with poor color and viewing angle. The TBD has an IPS screen, which is not cheap regardless of whom you buy it from. For example, a high-end IPS monitor from Dell costs $849, which is not much cheaper than the $999 for the TBD.

Dell offers their top of the line XPS 13 laptop with ubuntu. They call it the Developer Edition and is targeted at business segment.
link

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51/pd

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=DPDOXP4u&model_id=alienware-x51&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Ubuntu box gets lower spec' and fewer accessories:

Smaller hard drive 1 vs 2; no mouse or keyboard, ...

They're both 1049?

I read somewhere that the average cost of a single customer care call to Dell is higher than what they pay MS for their Windows license. So if Dell (for some reason only they can answer) expect to get more customer care calls when selling a Linux-PC (fx driver/compatibility questions, etc., and the odd user not knowing what s/he bought) then yes, it can be a more expensive machine to Dell even if the OS is free.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51/pd

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=DPDOXP4u&model_id=alienware-x51&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Ubuntu box gets lower spec' and fewer accessories:

Smaller hard drive 1 vs 2; no mouse or keyboard, ...

They're both 1049?

I read somewhere that the average cost of a single customer care call to Dell is higher than what they pay MS for their Windows license. So if Dell (for some reason only they can answer) expect to get more customer care calls when selling a Linux-PC (fx driver/compatibility questions, etc., and the odd user not knowing what s/he bought) then yes, it can be a more expensive machine to Dell even if the OS is free.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51/pd

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=DPDOXP4u&model_id=alienware-x51&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Ubuntu box gets lower spec' and fewer accessories:

Smaller hard drive 1 vs 2; no mouse or keyboard, ...

They're both 1049?

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51/pd

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=DPDOXP4u&model_id=alienware-x51&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Ubuntu box gets lower spec' and fewer accessories:

Smaller hard drive 1 vs 2; no mouse or keyboard, ...

They're both 1049?

There is an organisation in Australia called Computer Bank that has been collecting and re-purposing computers for years. There are a number of international organisations that do similar things, some are listed here - http://www.computerbank.org.au/links.

You could also seek sponsorship from a hardware vendor such as Dell - http://www.dell.com/Learn/us/en/aucorp1/corp-comm/corporate-sponsorships, or even Google.

Since it needs to be shipped there, perhaps approach transport companies. Also, some technology recycling companies will supply equipment cheaply or free for the right cause.

Some organisations require that a not-for-profit organisation be established before funds are allocated. You'll have to check your local laws.

Goodwill is in partnership with Dell to recycle old computer equipment: http://dell.com/reconnect. I've donated both working and non-working machines. They'll resell working machines if they can or recycle them.

I work from home, and I use a vertical 24" monitor (connected to my laptop) where I can see around 135 lines of code at a glance. This is my monitor: Dell U2412MB, priced $370: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?s=bsd&sku=320-2676 Whenever I want to see a movie, I can rotate the monitor back to horizontal position.

Here, 1 TB of always-available, portable storage for $99.99, perhaps less if you shop around for a discount.

Yes, portable hard drives are almost exactly like cloud storage. Except for the reliability. And the convenience. And ease of sharing. And accessibility. But besides that, it's exactly the same.

In what universe is the cloud more reliable than a local drive? I can sit in a train in the underground and use my 1TB portable drive with confidence. I cannot get internet access there for love or money. This is a real use case for me. Internet access is only reliable at work and to a *lesser* extent (less in speed and uptime) at home. I cannot even get a 3G signal inside my house, only slowish ADSL2+ (I live more than three miles from my nearest telephone exchange). The cloud is not at all reliable outside those two locations. My portable drive is reliable everywhere, and it is never congested with other users sharing inadequate bandwidth.

The cloud is my biggest reason for not buying a ChromeBook. Gaaah!

Here, 1 TB of always-available, portable storage for $99.99, perhaps less if you shop around for a discount.

Except for the reliability. And the convenience. And ease of sharing. And accessibility.

And unless you live in Kansas City, you aren't going to be able to fill it up in those 3 years. ;)

Here, 1 TB of always-available, portable storage for $99.99, perhaps less if you shop around for a discount.

Yes, portable hard drives are almost exactly like cloud storage. Except for the reliability. And the convenience. And ease of sharing. And accessibility. But besides that, it's exactly the same.

Here, 1 TB of always-available, portable storage for $99.99, perhaps less if you shop around for a discount.

I just saved you $1701.00 over 3 years, which is enough to buy you a pretty nice little Macbook Air, or a Macbook Pro with a retina display.

Hard drive RAID controller: by LSI

System: Dell PE 1950; critical update for the BMC controller.

... BTW: EMS firmware upgrade for the BSM V 2.50 bricked two motherboards. The motherboard for system #1 *may* have had a faulty BMC, however system #2 was working perfectly.

What follows is my opinion but it'll be yours too if you look into things.

Ooh boy, you bought a Dell. Man, oh man. Next time spend a few minutes of research before you invest nontrivial amounts of money in a system.

Years and years ago Dell was one of the best and made excellent systems. Those days came and went. Brand recognition is about the only reason they're still so huge.

Hard drive RAID controller: by LSI

System: Dell PE 1950; critical update for the BMC controller.

... BTW: EMS firmware upgrade for the BSM V 2.50 bricked two motherboards. The motherboard for system #1 *may* have had a faulty BMC, however system #2 was working perfectly.

What follows is my opinion but it'll be yours too if you look into things.

Ooh boy, you bought a Dell. Man, oh man. Next time spend a few minutes of research before you invest nontrivial amounts of money in a system.

Years and years ago Dell was one of the best and made excellent systems. Those days came and went. Brand recognition is about the only reason they're still so huge.

System: Dell PE 1950; critical update for the BMC controller.

... BTW: EMS firmware upgrade for the BSM V 2.50 bricked two motherboards. The motherboard for system #1 *may* have had a faulty BMC, however system #2 was working perfectly.

System: Dell PE 1950; critical update for the BMC controller.

... BTW: EMS firmware upgrade for the BSM V 2.50 bricked two motherboards. The motherboard for system #1 *may* have had a faulty BMC, however system #2 was working perfectly.

First off, FUCK BUYING OFF THE SHELF SYSTEMS! All these brick and mortars are going to do is sell you a craptastic system at an inflated price. And of COURSE all they'll sell you is Windows 8.

Dell

HP

Lenovo

Toshiba

Samsung

Sony

Sager You can still order their products with Win7. The configuration app gives you the option.

MSI MSI laptops still come with Win7. There's a push for Win8, but they come with Win7 by default.

Acer still sells Win7 laptops (just no way on the web to filter for them, so I can't provide a definitive link).

That should be enough to get you started.

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=gen&c=us&l=en&cs=&k=linux+laptop&cat=all&a

Yeah, I replied to my own reply :)

Go here instead and check the "Windows 7" box.

Dell makes many great laptops that aren't Windows 8. Such as, the XPS 13 Laptop which was just part of the new Project Sputnik. This was a Dell project when they wanted to manufacture a laptop that ran natively with Ubuntu for developers: XPS 13 Laptop Developer Edition

If you aren't a developer or you don't want Ubuntu 12.04, you can buy the same laptop with Windows 7: XPS 13 Laptop Windows 7 The XPS 13 Laptop is perfect for school use with its fast start time.

If this still isn't for you, try this page: Dell Windows 7 Laptops

Dell makes many great laptops that aren't Windows 8. Such as, the XPS 13 Laptop which was just part of the new Project Sputnik. This was a Dell project when they wanted to manufacture a laptop that ran natively with Ubuntu for developers: XPS 13 Laptop Developer Edition

If you aren't a developer or you don't want Ubuntu 12.04, you can buy the same laptop with Windows 7: XPS 13 Laptop Windows 7 The XPS 13 Laptop is perfect for school use with its fast start time.

If this still isn't for you, try this page: Dell Windows 7 Laptops

Dell makes many great laptops that aren't Windows 8. Such as, the XPS 13 Laptop which was just part of the new Project Sputnik. This was a Dell project when they wanted to manufacture a laptop that ran natively with Ubuntu for developers: XPS 13 Laptop Developer Edition

If you aren't a developer or you don't want Ubuntu 12.04, you can buy the same laptop with Windows 7: XPS 13 Laptop Windows 7 The XPS 13 Laptop is perfect for school use with its fast start time.

If this still isn't for you, try this page: Dell Windows 7 Laptops

Replying to myself... Dell links to Windows 8 laptops from their Windows 7 page... ugh.

Still, they have Windows 7 laptops:
XPS 13
Their m5030 is in the stores.
Latitude 2xxx
Latitude E5xxx

Go to their Business site, select laptops, and check the box for Windows 7.

Replying to myself... Dell links to Windows 8 laptops from their Windows 7 page... ugh.

Still, they have Windows 7 laptops:
XPS 13
Their m5030 is in the stores.
Latitude 2xxx
Latitude E5xxx

Go to their Business site, select laptops, and check the box for Windows 7.

Get a Macbook and then put Windows 7 on it.

Dell also has a Windows 7 page.

I'm sure any business-friendly vendor will have the same if you poke around.

You mean I can actually buy a PC for jur just $279 + RAM + notebook HD = $399 that is capable of running Linux?

That's amazing!

Prices certainly are dropping through the floor...

Oh look, Dell has a system on sale for $299 WITH the so-called Microsoft Tax (Windows 8) and an actual DVD drive.

What was it that made this system special? The novelty of shipping with no operating system? Seriously?

Err, no, or mind showing your work?

Here's my recent comparison, it's almost a year old and therefore is not valid anymore. And in that post I even state buyers shouldn't upgrade the RAM because Apple charges more for them than third parties do, just as I said in the post you replied to does. Currently comparing Mac Pros doesn't work as the Pros use 2 year old Xeon CPUs, but it will soon hopefully. Tim Cook better keep his word that Mac Pros will be upgraded to the most recent Xeons and include Thunderbolt. However comparisons are possible with laptops, I won't try the all-in-one iMac nor the Mac Mini.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display

• 2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz
• 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology with 2880-by-1800 native resolution scaled to 1920x1200
• 8GB 1600MHz DDR3L
• 512GB Flash Storage

$3,049.00

Dell Precision M4700 Mobile Workstation

• 3rd Gen Intel® Core i7-3740QM Processor (2.7GHz, 6M cache, Upgradable to Intel® vPro technology)
• 15.6" UltraSharp FHD (1920x1080)
• 8.0GB, DDR3-1600MHz
• 750GB 2.5" 7200rpm Hard Drive

$2,498.53, with $700 off making it $1,699.00.

Not quite comparable. A second Dell Precision M4700 Mobile Workstation

• 3rd Gen Intel® Core i7-3840QM Processor (2.8GHz, 8M cache, Upgradable to Intel® vPro technology)
• 15.6" UltraSharp FHD (1920x1080)
• 16.0GB, DDR3-1600MHz
• 512GB 2.5" (SATA3) Mobility Solid State Drive
• Resource DVD - Contains Drivers
• Recovery Media for Windows® 7 Professional,64bit,Multiple Language

$4,187.59 with instant savings of $1,340.03 making it $2,847.56

I tried to configure both of these to be closer to the MacBook Pro, but only the second offered hardware configuration that I saw.

And you're right, it isn't that restricted, aside from not being able to even change your own battery.

I've posted elsewhere that I hated it that the battery is soldered in and is not user swappable. When I bought my MacBook Pro, I got a second battery with it so when the first one drained down during use when I wasn't near an outlet I could swap them, though it's too big for most people I did want a big display and be able to go hours and hours without needing to be plugged in, ie I wanted to take it hiking. Weight? I used to hike carrying 50+ lbs and have hiked carrying 120 lbs. If I can't carry just 10 lbs then I'm in real bad shape.

The bigger problems are their complete disregarded for backwards and forward compatibility and the small selection of software, and no, linux software doesn't count.

Backwards and forwards compatibility? What does that mean? What does small selection of software mean too? And why doesn't Linux software count? Because if it is counted Macs run more software than both Linux and MS Windows? That is an arbitrary limit for no good reason.

However native OS X apps the iTunes app store alone has thousands of downloadable programs. Now I've haven't used iTunes yet, I may use it to download classes from iTunes U which has lectures from a number of universities including MIT. However I prefer to buy my software on media I can keep, CDs or DVDs. Of course a person can download then burn programs on disks, such as from , Source Forge, and

Err, no, or mind showing your work?

Here's my recent comparison, it's almost a year old and therefore is not valid anymore. And in that post I even state buyers shouldn't upgrade the RAM because Apple charges more for them than third parties do, just as I said in the post you replied to does. Currently comparing Mac Pros doesn't work as the Pros use 2 year old Xeon CPUs, but it will soon hopefully. Tim Cook better keep his word that Mac Pros will be upgraded to the most recent Xeons and include Thunderbolt. However comparisons are possible with laptops, I won't try the all-in-one iMac nor the Mac Mini.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display

• 2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz
• 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology with 2880-by-1800 native resolution scaled to 1920x1200
• 8GB 1600MHz DDR3L
• 512GB Flash Storage

$3,049.00

Dell Precision M4700 Mobile Workstation

• 3rd Gen Intel® Core i7-3740QM Processor (2.7GHz, 6M cache, Upgradable to Intel® vPro technology)
• 15.6" UltraSharp FHD (1920x1080)
• 8.0GB, DDR3-1600MHz
• 750GB 2.5" 7200rpm Hard Drive

$2,498.53, with $700 off making it $1,699.00.

Not quite comparable. A second Dell Precision M4700 Mobile Workstation

• 3rd Gen Intel® Core i7-3840QM Processor (2.8GHz, 8M cache, Upgradable to Intel® vPro technology)
• 15.6" UltraSharp FHD (1920x1080)
• 16.0GB, DDR3-1600MHz
• 512GB 2.5" (SATA3) Mobility Solid State Drive
• Resource DVD - Contains Drivers
• Recovery Media for Windows® 7 Professional,64bit,Multiple Language

$4,187.59 with instant savings of $1,340.03 making it $2,847.56

I tried to configure both of these to be closer to the MacBook Pro, but only the second offered hardware configuration that I saw.

And you're right, it isn't that restricted, aside from not being able to even change your own battery.

I've posted elsewhere that I hated it that the battery is soldered in and is not user swappable. When I bought my MacBook Pro, I got a second battery with it so when the first one drained down during use when I wasn't near an outlet I could swap them, though it's too big for most people I did want a big display and be able to go hours and hours without needing to be plugged in, ie I wanted to take it hiking. Weight? I used to hike carrying 50+ lbs and have hiked carrying 120 lbs. If I can't carry just 10 lbs then I'm in real bad shape.

The bigger problems are their complete disregarded for backwards and forward compatibility and the small selection of software, and no, linux software doesn't count.

Backwards and forwards compatibility? What does that mean? What does small selection of software mean too? And why doesn't Linux software count? Because if it is counted Macs run more software than both Linux and MS Windows? That is an arbitrary limit for no good reason.

However native OS X apps the iTunes app store alone has thousands of downloadable programs. Now I've haven't used iTunes yet, I may use it to download classes from iTunes U which has lectures from a number of universities including MIT. However I prefer to buy my software on media I can keep, CDs or DVDs. Of course a person can download then burn programs on disks, such as from , Source Forge, and

what use is a tiny computer without a way of controlling it?

What, Bluetooth doesn't count?

Really? ZERO thought? What about this monitor from Dell, which can rotate from vertical to completely horizontal. Sounds like you could slope it at exactly the same angle as a drafting table to reduce "gorilla arm."

But again, that's assuming that using a touch interface for hours and hours on end is any reasonable or expected behavior. It's the equivalent of saying "Keyboards are terrible because if you type for 5 hours straight at 100 WPM without a break you get carpel tunnel." or "Mice are terrible because if you constantly move the cursor and click for 5 hours your arm and finger fall off." Gorilla arm is a straw man. Yes, it sucks when you hold your arms out in front of you for 5 hours, but NO ONE wants to do that.

Mount the screen at an angle. Recess it. Problem solved. Dell S2340T 23" Multi-Touch Monitor

Really? Lets take that for a test run shall we?

Standard 27" iMac is $1800, has 2.9Ghz i5, 8GB, 1TB, 512MB Video.
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MD095LL/A?

Dell's closest I could find was one XPS One 27 Touch. $1600, 2.7Ghz i5, 6GB, 1TB, Intel Integrated Graphics.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=fxdwvx25h&model_id=xps-one-27-2710-aio&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

HP's closest I could find was the HP Z1 Workstation, $2150, Xeon E3 3.3Ghz, 4GB, 500GB, Intel Integrated Graphics.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Desktops/Desktops?SearchParameter=%26%40QueryTerm%3D*%26categoryusagedesktops_dte2%3DAll-in-One%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%3DOp0QxXjbaUcAAAE0eehcZzOt%26Processor_facet_DTE2%3DIntel%26TieredPricing2%3D%255B1200.0%2BTO%2B9999.99%255D%26%40Sort.TieredPricing%3D0&PageSize=15

From this simple search, it can be seen that you are full of shit. Even getting a more expensive iMac with a 3.4Ghz i7 is only $2200, and it includes a 1GB Nvidia Graphics instead of the Intel Integrated Graphics.
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MD096LL/A?

I'm not saying this topic isn't cause for some eyebrow raising, but it doesn't do anyone any good to be spreading FUD! If you actually spent some time researching this topic, you will find that what you said isn't entirely true. Take the Dell Latitude 6430u that comes with Windows 8. You can disable secure boot in BIOS. I refer you to page 44 of its owners manual (PDF format). Not only that, but TPM can be disabled along with the options of booting via legacy ROM (BIOS).

Basically here's the skinny. For x86 computers brandishing a Windows 8 sticker, Secure Boot will be enabled by default (or it's supposed too). But, the machine still must allow the user the option of disabling it in BIOS. However, if the machine is ARM based certified for Windows-RT it will be locked down. Essentially, a Windows 8 *only* machine.

Ars Technica wrote a much better article on the subject here dated Jan-2012.

"I am tasked with building a few Linux machines for a small office." I'm not sure how much your labor is worth but you can buy a built server on the cheap ($599).

http://www.dell.com/ca/business/p/poweredge-t110-2/pd

Thanks. I should have mentioned that these will be desktop workstations, not servers. The company servers are actually on Amazon Web Services (EC2) and let me take this opportunity to say how happy I am with that decision!

"I am tasked with building a few Linux machines for a small office." I'm not sure how much your labor is worth but you can buy a built server on the cheap ($599).

http://www.dell.com/ca/business/p/poweredge-t110-2/pd

Operating System

        Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2011
        Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 Foundation R2 SP1
        Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 SP2, x86/x64 (x64 includes Hyper-V)
        Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 R2 SP1, x64 (includes Hyper-V v2)
        Novell® SUSE® Linux® Enterprise Server
        Red Hat® Enterprise Linux®

this person is claiming that a single tool works for them... this single tool replaces a laptop.. but yet it doesnt have all the features or capabilities of a laptop..

Funny, that's not what the OP said at all. Personally I use my tablet (BlackBerry PlayBook FTW) to access my Dell Precision T7400 with Splashtop when I need to do some heavy lifting. With a BT keyboard and mouse it works just as well as a laptop. Do I keep my LT around for some things? Sure do, but the number of times I have pulled it out since I got my tablet are counted in single digits. I use my phone for as much as possible simply due to convenience but there are times a bigger screen is needed and the tablet is ready in an instant.

You feel like running your mouth off, go right ahead:

http://www.dell.com/ca/p/inspiron-660s/pd

#1 desktop on Dell's website. No, most people don't have home-built custom PCs, they order them mail-order like this.

Sure, my motherboard has one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebabcock/3600893754/in/set-72157619247481171 but that's because I'm an enthusiast and shopped around for one that did. Quite a few did not at the time.

This isn't news either, Intel's been trying to kill off serial ports since 2001: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/10/04/intel_to_kill_floppy_drives/

It's not like Dell hasn't wandered into markets before and failed miserably

Of course sometimes they just don't know when to quit.

Eventually, they'll get the hint and just focus on making servers and business workstations...

===
To remain in business and expand, you need good profit margins. Android does not provide that to Dell, which is predominately or essentially an USA marketing organization.
The average Joe on the street at the big box stores will buy expensive toys because he thinks he is getting good value for the money spent.

For the cheapskate/n00b_uncle/websurfer, you can get a low end laptop for $300. Same machine with Windows, an extra $70.

http://www.dell.com/us/soho/p/laptops.aspx?c=us&cs=ussoho1&l=en&s=soho&~ck=mn#!facets=53996~0~839326&p=1

And it even comes with a tape drive, according to the spec sheet!

Keep in mind that Dell is one of the few "mainstream" PC manufacturers that will sell you a top-line laptop with a Linux distro preinstalled and supported:
http://www.dell.com/us/soho/p/xps-13-linux/pd.aspx

So why stop selling Android devices (most popular mobile OS) and move to a platform that many don't think will go anywhere? Dell isn't known for Android; they're a trusted name in Windows machines. I've never seen a Dell Android phone or tablet in the wild. There's a good reason for that. Personally I think their Windows 8 devices will flop too, but they'll probably sell more of them than they do Android devices.

It's not like Dell hasn't wandered into markets before and failed miserably

Of course sometimes they just don't know when to quit.

Eventually, they'll get the hint and just focus on making servers and business workstations...

Fat chicks: the only thing less desirable than Dell products!

It's not like Dell hasn't wandered into markets before and failed miserably

Of course sometimes they just don't know when to quit.

Eventually, they'll get the hint and just focus on making servers and business workstations...