LinuxWorld

mduell writes: "Saw these three on the Technology front page at MSNBC.com. First off, This story on how GNOME Foundation takes aim at Microsoft. Secondly, this story about what Michael Dell thinks of Linux. Lastly, this story about Linux on mobile devices." Some other links that have been submitted: a reader submits pictures from the Expo, a Linux PDA is announced, and Michael Dell tries to figure out why he's selling overpriced Linux systems.

Comments

Why DELL linux systems cost more

[ry4an]

I'd guess that the linux systems cost more because of the R&D costs involved whenever Dell upgrades an internal component is are spread out over a smaller number of systems. PC Builders don't actually _do_ much except promise you that the pieces they assemble work well with eachother and the OS they're installing (which is why Packard Bell should be considered the king of empty promises). Whenever they switch from Brand X floppy drives to brand XX floppy drives they have to test that hardware with the other components for a long while. When they do that on an NT platform they spread that cost out over the N systems they sell. With Linux it's spread out over the N/1000 systems they sell. As Linux grows in size it'll cost less (unless they pull the same scam the music industries did with the Cassette -> CD switch (wherein they promised higher CD costs initally and lower CD costs in the future)).
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