Get This Damned Ubuntu Out Of Dell’s Internets!
It’s as if a million penguins cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. Dell has dropped Ubuntu-loaded machines from their online store – a head-scratching play, considering their original declaration that Ubuntu is safer than Windows. The move comes after Dell posted a totally compelling argument for each operating system on its website, advising that only open source programmers should consider Ubuntu. That’s not completely unwise advice, but it’s not like Ubuntu is an unsolvable puzzlebox, or something.
The other bullet point in Dell’s two-bullet-point case for Ubuntu is “choose Ubuntu if you do not plan to use Microsoft Windows”. Gee whiz.
You’re starving. I have two pieces of fruit, a mango and a papaya. You must eat one, or you will die. Choose papaya if you do not plan to eat mango.
No shit, Dell.
Dell insists they haven’t dropped Ubuntu entirely, and that you can still order Ubuntu-loaded machines over the phone. “The reason why they’re not on our main pages is because Ubuntu systems are primarily targeted towards advanced users and enthusiasts, and the vast majority of consumers purchase PCs with Microsoft Windows pre-installed,” a Dell customer service rep told. Fair enough, Dell. But then again, if I’m an advanced computer user, what are the odds I’ll order a computer by phone before using the internet?
It all boils down to $$$$$$$$$, Ubuntu is open source, all software that you need for it is FREE to download off the internet, I have installed and used it on numerous computers, works very well !!
if I’m an advanced computer user, what are the odds I’ll order a computer from DELL
EXACTLY!!! Ha, that is the best line on this site yet! Same odds as me using an AOL account to browse the internet.
The Dell site does seem to have shifted lately to more “fast ship” ready to go computers and servers; with less customization being offered overall. Probably they’re just trying to simplify things by removing choices and thus getting every last nickel of expense out of maintaining configuration options.
“totally compelling argument”
haha.
This is a real blow. I was really pleased to see them selling Linux pre-installed, irrespective of what distro it was. However, when you visited their website, it was really difficult to actually find an Ubuntu machine. You had to really search for it. It’s as if they thought of it as some dirty secret. Totally the wrong way to go about it. Were Microsoft paying them to bury their Ubuntu machines? Had they have actually promoted them, who knows what would have happened?
I have a friend who runs his own business, and knows pretty much nothing about computers. I’ve migrated him to Ubuntu and he’s totally happy with it. So the argument about it being for enthusiasts etc is rubbish. Your average computer user is just as clueless about building a Windows machine as a Linux one.
Dell, you blew it.