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Dell Says High Linux Netbook Returns a "Non-Issue"
Michiel Roos notes that at this week's OpenSource World, a Dell executive deflated Microsoft's claims that Linux notebooks have return rates four or five times higher than Windows machines. "Todd Finch, Dell senior product marketing manager, said the number of Linux returns are approximately the same as those for Windows netbooks. He categorized the matter of returns as a 'non-issue.' 'They are making something of nothing,' he said of Microsoft's claims."
So maybe only open source users know about IdeaStorm? Regardless, Dell is staring down hundreds of thousands of users looking for more options that should honestly be very easy to provide. So if the returns are a "non-issue" and are similar to Windows returns then what's the deal, Dell?
My work here is dung.
if anyone hasn't noticed, Apple and Microsoft have been playing very nice together since last year.
Apple has licensed ActiveSync for the iphone and MobileMe
there is Exchange 2007 integration into Snow Leopard
New MS Office for the Mac will have an Outlook client for the first time with full Exchange integration
I think MS is playing nice with Apple to get back at Dell and HP for the netbook linux thing. If HP and Dell want to ship linux PC's, then MS is going to help Apple poach Dell's most profitable customers
you are majorly missing the point.
It's a bunch of people that are ordering a Duck dinner at a resturant and returning it because it has duck in it.
The returns are from people too dumb to read what they are ordering, clicking blindly and then sending it back because they did not pay attention.
I bet a large number of them say "Oh, I though when it said it runs linux it means some new game on the internet...."
This is the way of the consumer, People that wanted linux and ordered linux are happy with their linux. Any linux returns are due to low IQ consumers not paying attention.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
People aren't returning these machines more because they have Ubuntu, they're buying them more because they have Ubuntu.
That's a nice sounding way to spin it. But in TFA it actually says they were buying them because they were cheaper, not because they had Ubuntu.
Normal people don't know what Ubuntu is. They don't know what Windows is. They just want cheap computers and assume that they all have that familiar OS.
Linux shits all over the chests and faces of the MS-loving ignorami and fucks their wives and sisters.
So is that like a uh... Cleaveland Steamer?
Zhrodague.net - I do projects and stuff too.
It isn't representative of Dell UK, I can tell you much. End of last year, I bought the wife a new laptop. She's a fan of Ubuntu, so I got her a Dell Inspiron with Ubuntu preloaed. She loves it - never been the least bit bother.
A month ago, my old laptop finally gave up the ghost, and I thought (seeing as how the Missus' machine was so reliable) that a Dell machine might be the way to go.
So I go to Dell's UK website, only to find that the only Ubuntu option they now offer is a minimum spec netbook - and that I suspect only because Michael Dell threatened to remove their testicles if they didn't offer something.
I suppose ... if I'd wanted to phone them up, and if I'd been willing to spend the time arguing, I could probably have got my preloaded Ubuntu system.
Instead, I thought "sod it" and order an Acer instead.
I do wonder if Dell are aware of they shenanigans going on at their UK subsidiary sometimes. Operating system evangelism is all very well, but this is costing them sales, you know?
Don't let THEM immanentize the Eschaton!
Did he actually say that? I make my living off the problems that Windows has.
You can lead a man with reason but you can't make him think.
I hate to say it, but it's likely that the dell product manager is spinning this in Linux's favor as best he can.
It seems weird that he'd want to piss off his supplier, right? I mean, why would he make any comment at all on the issue? Well, that's just the thing. When you tell your supplier that they are in less demand than they used to be, then you have some weight to throw around when it comes to relicensing.
This guy is just using the media as a pawn.