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."

Comments

Re:Playing with words

[digitalunity]

It doesn't mean what Dell or Microsoft wants it to mean.

High initial returns on Linux netbooks is most likely due to inaccurate advertising. The market for Linux netbooks is primarily for people who already know what Linux is and desire it. Selling Linux netbooks to people seeking Windows isn't a good business plan. Dell thought it would be profitable and it wasn't.

It doesn't mean Linux sucks either, just that people prefer to stick with Windows because it's familiar-and we already knew that.

Re:in your face microsoft!

[Zero__Kelvin]

"Not really... stores also say there really isn't a demand for Linux power computers, which is why they aren't in BestBuy."

Yeah, right, that's the reason. It doesn't have anything to do with the fact that Microsoft excercised their monopoly to remove choices from the consumer by insisting that if a store sells one computer with Windows they all have to have Windows on them. There is low demand because Best Buy has always sold only Windows boxes, so the typical computer user thinks that there is no choice. It is a funny thing. If I lay out several gemstones of medium value and keep the diamond hidden then allow someone to take their pick of any gemstone I own they never pick the diamond! I have determined that the demand for diamonds is very low based on this fact ;-)