I find it interesting that they do not advertise their open source products on their main webpage. If you go to dell.com and try and customize any of the Inspiron laptops, they all come with Windows. No opportunity to switch it to Linux.

Gee, now I'm really starting to think they don't want to actually sell any.

I don't know Linux has come a long way compared to two years ago. If Dell did things right it may work out really well.

Looking at the price for that laptop, I may end up buying one.

gsd

"Hello thanks for calling Dell Technical Support, this is Mark how can I help you today?"

"I bough this copy of The Sims at WalMart today and I can't seem to get it to run on this Yoo-Boon-Two doohicky you got goin on here"

I priced on eof the 1505s out with Ubuntu vs Windows, and it came to a $80 difference between them. The only hardware difference was that with the Ubuntu version, the integrated graphics was the only option, whereas the Windows allowed discrete graphics. An unfortunate choice for the Unbuntu version, but there ya go. I was hoping for Ubuntu on the XPS 1210, but oh well.

So why not just sell the hardware with no OS on it at all? Seems like just supporting the physical functionality of the hardware would be easier.

I'm also interested to see how the sales of these models are in a year. I have a feeling that Dell is getting taken for a ride here. Most of the people who voted on Dell's site to install Linux probably will never buy a Dell with Linux. This could be just a very loud minority that will end up costing Dell $$$ in the end. I guess we'll find out in a year or so.

Although if this doesn't work out, it may discourage other PC makers from trying LOTD as well and solidify Microsoft's position.

But will it run... oh.

I wonder how many of these computers they sell pre-loaded with Ubuntu are going to eventually end up with Windows installed on them instead?

A no OS installed option would be great IMHO. That or a no crapware option. I just got a new Dell laptop and had no less than 5 programs nagging me to set them up or subscribe to some service or the other the first time I booted it up. I ended up formatting a brand new system just to get rid of the crapware before I even used it. Now I just need to image the drive so future formats will be fast and painless.

My main question is: Are these any cheaper than if Windows Vista was included? And if so, by how much?

Or is reduced cost not the main reason for these?

I'll take six months in the pool for how long it takes Dell to drop this idea. No one's ever made money on desktop Linux, and no one ever will.

Benchmark these plz! ;)