Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Dell PCs with Ubuntu Are A Little Less Expensive

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the penguin-pass dept.

Chandon Seldon writes "Contrary to many earlier reports, it turns out that Dell's prices for its Ubuntu PCs are cheaper than similar Windows Vista PCs for all three Models. Ars Technica reports: 'So it turns out that not including Windows saves the consumer $50 from the regular list price. This amount is not too far off from what a large OEM like Dell would pay for a volume discount for Windows Vista Home Basic (the regular OEM price is about $95). Many value PC sellers try to make up for the cost of a Windows license by bundling demo and trial versions of software such as AOL (affectionately known as "crapware"), for which they receive money from software companies looking to increase their distribution levels. Dell is no exception to this practice, although on their web site it allows customers to select the option of not including various applications.' For direct comparisons, Nat Tuck of Umass-Lowell has put together a simple page showing prices for Ubuntu and Windows-based PCs."

3 of 388 comments (clear)

  1. This is well and good but.. by N3WBI3 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What will be the most important marker of Dells little Linux venture is product placement. If these linux systems end up on a back page people may not hunt for them.

    --
  2. Comparisons? by kripkenstein · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Comparing identical models is interesting, and it's good to know the size of the 'Windows Tax' is around $50 (as many suspected), but this figure isn't an objective truth, for several reasons:
    • Ubuntu can run well on cheaper hardware than Vista (mainly RAM and video, if you want Aero). So comparing the same hardware means one OS will run better than the other. (Note: on the other hand Ubuntu needs more expensive hardware in some areas, like Wifi, due to lack of good drivers for cheap Broadcom devices. But this is negligible, and also drivers are now coming out.)
    • Comparing to Vista Home Basic may not be entirely fair, if most users in fact purchase Home Premium ($30 more via Dell, I believe). Indeed some have said that Home Basic is hopelessly crippled. But this is of course debatable.
  3. I wish Windows become an +50$ radio-button option by dom1234 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Please choose an operating system :
            o Ubuntu (included)
            o Windows Vista (+50$)

    That would be great.

    After choosing the +50$, a pop up should warn that extra memory is required for the same level of performance.