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?
As much as I love Linux, I agree with you. Most people that use Linux would never buy a Dell lol.
WEl I understands “advanced user” to imply “Not an idiot” and that further implies that others are “not as smart (wrt IT)”.
So put another way if you have to use windows we assume you are so stupid you would get confused if we put an ubuntu option in. However, if you are smart enough to use our website (and figure out linux is not there) then you are also smart enough to use the phone. Or order from some other manufacturer.
Dave
If you’re an advanced user what are the chances you’ll order from dell? You’re complaining about nothing.
“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?”
If you’re an advanced computer user, what are the odds you’ll order a computer from Dell at all?
Most people who would use Ubuntu aren’t the same people who buy from manufacturers. I’d wager a large majority of people looking for a Linux machine from the get go (i.e. not people who ran windows on their HP/Dell/Acer then switched over to linux) are running it on custom built machines. If you want an operating system you can tweak to be exactly what you want, you’re going to want a computer you can tweak to be exactly what you want.
I think the market for Ubuntu on the home desktop was never really there. Dell saw it as an opportunity to sell systems without paying the windows tax, and thus saving some money, but I think quickly realized if normal users buy the systems the support costs are probably higher. If you’re an open source programmer you just buy a system and reload or build a workstation after a trip to new egg. Nothing to see here, move along.