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No Demand for Linux in the UK?

Posted by Zonk on from the we-like-tea-not-penguins dept.

eldavojohn writes "If you're a Linux user in the UK looking for a Linux box, you're not going to get it from Acer. The computer maker has started releasing Linux installed machines in Singapore but cited 'no demand' as a reason for not releasing the same computer with Linux installed in the UK. From the ZDNet article: 'Before the launch of the Acer Aspire in Singapore, there had been no suggestion that any major manufacturer other than Dell was even considering releasing Ubuntu-based products. However, Acer president Gianfranco Lanci did tell Financial Times Deutschland that "the whole [PC] industry is disappointed with Windows Vista". Lanci claimed that Microsoft's new operating system had not boosted PC sales, due to concerns over its stability and overall maturity.'"

4 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Hrm by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Informative

    Cost of extra training for sales people on the two differnt product lines if only a small portion will buy the Linux Acers then the cost of training could be more then the cost of sales.

    Cost of support, you get a person wanting linux but never used it before, get it and everything seems to go wrong and talking to technical support. I am assuming that they don't use global support.

    Cost of wearhousing now you need to manage 2 visual idenintal product lines the difference is the data on each system.

    Cost of selling systems without Extra Junk installed, all those demo apps the company pays acer to put default on their system.

    Trade Policies, sometimes by changing the OS you may need to renegoate your trade policy with other countries.

    There are a lot of extra costs and little have to do with Linux but selling a product in an area where there is little demmand.

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    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  2. One UK reseller by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://efficientpc.co.uk/

    Sell Ubuntu PC's. So, there must be some demand.

    Just in case anyone in the UK actually wants a linux PC.
    (I'm not affiliated, just found this today while looking for a new laptop)

  3. Re:Maybe... by danbert8 · · Score: 5, Informative
    From the linked wikipedia article:

    "Lunix", however, is sometimes used as a mocking respelling of "Linux" in humorous contexts. I think it means exactly what he was using it to mean.
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    Yes it's an anecdote! Were you expecting original research in a Slashdot comment?
  4. Re:huh? by Stocktonian · · Score: 3, Informative

    Or visit this UK website that is happy to take up the Linux niche that ACER would rather ignore.
    https://www.xephi.co.uk/laptops/

    Just because ACER says there's no demand doesn't make it true.

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    XePhi Computers sell really cheap Linux CDs! http://www.xephi.co.uk