..::B:R:A:D::..

I just purchased one of the first Dell’s pre-installed with Ubuntu Linux. I had several motives for doing so. The first, and primary, reason for the new computer was that my current work PC here at home has been giving me numerous hardware issues causing the computer to freeze up several times per day. I have been debating about getting a new computer for several months now but decided to wait until Dell officially started selling Ubuntu PC’s to make a decision.

The second reason was that I wanted to show my support monetarily for the decision by Dell to pre-install Ubuntu. It also doesn’t hurt that Ubuntu has been my distribution of choice since 5.04 (Hoary Hedgehog). I really think this has the potential to be a big deal for all of Linux (not just Ubuntu) if it is done right and if the response is significant enough. It is too easy to simply place a vote for change on a website. You can vote as much as you want but it means nothing if you don’t back up your votes with action!

I have every reason to believe at this point that Dell at least has the right idea, or is on the right track. I have read several articles and blogs, including those on Dell’s site, that mention that:

“We configure/install open source drivers for hardware, when possible. We use partial open-source or closed source (”restricted” in Ubuntu terms) drivers where there is no equivalent open-source driver.”

This is a good compromise, it needs to work out of the box or it will just turn new users away. It is nice to see they understand the value of preferring open source drivers. The more promising quote though is this:

“For hardware options not offered with this release, we are working with the vendors of those devices to improve the maturity and stability of their associated Linux drivers. While this may not happen overnight, we do expect to have a broader range of hardware support with Linux over time.”

This is where the real benefit for ALL of Linux comes in. Working with device vendors to improve the maturity and stability of their Linux drivers could be a substantial boon for Linux in general. The real downfall will be if very few of the 100,000 people that voted for Linux to be pre-installed on Dell computers actually open their wallets and purchase these machines.

Here are the specs for the machine I just purchased:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6420 2.13GHZ
• 4GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 256MB nVidia GeForce 7300LE TurboCache
• 250GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM)
• 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
• Samsung 19IN Wide Screen LCD
• and…..Ubuntu Desktop Edition version7.04!

all for $1048 (with $350 off coupon)

I found the coupon I used online and it says that it lasts until May 31, 2007. If you are in the market for a new computer, specifically one that runs Linux (regardless if you want to run Ubuntu in the end or not) I suggest that you buy one of these Dell’s as a way of supporting pre-installed Linux and work toward more Linux drivers. Any significant demand could make a real statement!

The coupon I used was: $4?HW9L1NB4VTT

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 at 7:44 pm and is filed under Linux. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site. Your comments will appear immediately, but I reserve the right to delete innapropriate comments.