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Thread: Dell to sell Linux Desktops - Will it make any difference

  1. #1
    Flower Child stytagm's Avatar
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    Dell to sell Linux Desktops - Will it make any difference

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6506027.stm

    This looks like a nice move, especially if they sell dual boot boxes, a lot of people might be tempted to give it a go who wouldn't otherwise.

    I wonder what they'll charge, and how much support they'll offer.
    They told me I was gullible ... and I believed them.

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    Only if it is cheaper than windows.

    but i dont think they will ship free linux only retail. it all boils down to cost at the end of the day.
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    It's going to appeal to a niche, probably not even to sufficient demand to justify the venture.

    But it's got people talking about dell. And who knows, maybe next time someone with computer knowledge is asked to recomend a system to friends/family the thought dell may cross their minds. But it will still be a windows pc bought.
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    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
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    It's significant, but not as directly significant as it might appear.

    It forces Dell to support the hardware they're selling, which should mean proper support for practically all components inside a Dell PC, without resorting to crap like NDISWrapper 9and Dell have said on record that they're going for things that work in the mainline kernel, not dodgy things)

    That will force companies wanting to sell lots of chips to Dell to support Linux properly - hopefully Broadcom will see some serious financial repercussions until they change their tune.

  5. #5
    UKMuFFiN
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    Quote Originally Posted by directhex View Post
    It's significant, but not as directly significant as it might appear.

    It forces Dell to support the hardware they're selling, which should mean proper support for practically all components inside a Dell PC, without resorting to crap like NDISWrapper 9and Dell have said on record that they're going for things that work in the mainline kernel, not dodgy things)

    That will force companies wanting to sell lots of chips to Dell to support Linux properly - hopefully Broadcom will see some serious financial repercussions until they change their tune.
    Yes! Sounds good!

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    I like the idea of Dell selling linux. Hopefully it *might* be a bit successfull and force other to consider the same. Then Microsoft may have to actually compete with something that isn't designed with retarded fashion slaves in mind and hopefully imporove things, forcing various linux distros to improve coprorate support for desktops that may eventually filter down to desktops and decent support for them rather than the RFTM N00b attitide that plagues anything linux currently.

    TBH the only thing that scares me about MS is their centralised management of everything - palying Hi Def media, updates, activation etc.
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    Senior Member chrestomanci's Avatar
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    Dell have done this sort of thing before, it has not lasted before. My guess is that this is them playing hardball with Microsoft over OEM licensing. Microsoft are probably charging them $10 per copy, and they would prefer free. When microsoft caves, these linux PCs will vanish.

    The other thing is I think directhex is being optimistic to expect full driver support. As far as Dell are concerned, NDISWrapper is an acceptable way to do drivers, just as closed source nVidia or ATI drivers are.
    Last edited by chrestomanci; 30-03-2007 at 04:02 PM.

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    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
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    It is significant in that it raises the profile of Linux. Altjhough Linspire have been selling Linux on Intel machines (mainly in the US) they aren't exactly a top known brand with teh general public. Dell is better known. However it will be interesting to see if the like of PC World will stock the Dell Linux machines, or if MS will use its marketing uscle to 'dissuade' them!
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    UKMuFFiN
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    PC World don't sell Dell machines do they?

    "You can't buy Dell in the shops"

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    Talking

    Sounds like good news to me - gives people a choice.

    Open Office (Linux free equiv of Office) works fine, so do most of the media players etc.

    Linux needs a chance to shine in the non techno market and this could be it.

    Figers crossed.

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    Quote Originally Posted by smallstool View Post
    Linux needs a chance to shine in the non techno market and this could be it.
    Agreed, although I feel quite a few people will need help to get started. e.g It took me forever to load grafix drivers. Although on Ubuntu Feisty even if you have a ATI grafix card it is easy. All you have to do is tick a box in resticted drivers

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