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More Linux-based laptops from Dell (vnunet)
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With DVD playback?
Posted Jan 25, 2008 19:33 UTC (Fri) by rossburton (subscriber, #7254) [Link]
I presume they mean *legal* DVD playback. Does anyone know if they have just decided that libdvdcss is legal where they are selling it, if they are shipping Fluendo gstreamer codecs, or something else?
With DVD playback?
Posted Jan 25, 2008 19:48 UTC (Fri) by yokem_55 (guest, #10498) [Link]
They licensed LinDVD which is approved by the CSS & DVD groups as a legal and licensed DVD player.
With DVD playback?
Posted Jan 25, 2008 20:02 UTC (Fri) by rossburton (subscriber, #7254) [Link]
Ah, thanks.
With DVD playback?
Posted Jan 26, 2008 14:26 UTC (Sat) by copsewood (subscriber, #199) [Link]
As far as I am aware, following the acquittal on all charges against DVD John, the legality of dvdcss software has not been successfully challenged within the EU. Could someone reading this correct me if they know of any counterexample.
With DVD playback?
Posted Jan 26, 2008 18:53 UTC (Sat) by tialaramex (subscriber, #21167) [Link]
decrypting your DVDs (for your own use) probably isn't illegal in some jurisdictions, so sure, maybe you're in the clear on that... However, there have been various patents issued relevant to the codecs used in DVD, including the video codec from MPEG 2 and some of the choices available for audio, notably MPEG audio (same as in MP3) and Dolby Digital (aka AC-3) Is it possible that the stated (but ignored) prohibition on software patents in the EU would allow a court to overturn these particular patents, or at least find that they can't apply to Dell's computers which just happen to run this software? Yes, I suppose it might be possible, if you have very good lawyers and are willing to drag it out for years against a resourceful and politically powerful enemy... But there's no reason Dell should go to that expense to help us. It wouldn't make commercial sense. Better to pay the ransom.
More Linux-based laptops from Dell (vnunet)
Posted Jan 25, 2008 22:17 UTC (Fri) by tajyrink (subscriber, #2750) [Link]
The big news besides XPS 1330n, which is btw coming also to the US, was that they started to sell these in Spain now, too, which they didn't do earlier. I'm still waiting for more countries, but maybe 8.04 LTS will bring that. 13.3" screen rocks, it's great that it's being offered. Not everyone wants a 15.4" laptop which is the most common among cheap laptops.
More Linux-based laptops from Dell (vnunet)
Posted Jan 27, 2008 11:55 UTC (Sun) by man_ls (subscriber, #15091) [Link]
Not that it is specially cheap, at more than 900 € (with a sane configuration). I could not find the weight using the horrible Dell interface. In fact I had some trouble finding the laptop in the Spanish site.For that price you can buy a pretty decent laptop from known brands. I have seen a Samsung Q series laptop (12", 1.1kg, NP-Q40 I think it was) on offer for that money -- much more sexier for the price. Anyway you are right, 15" is better for desktop replacement machines, but the 13.3" screen can be far more comfortable if you plan to travel with the thing.
More Linux-based laptops from Dell (vnunet)
Posted Jan 31, 2008 11:12 UTC (Thu) by stevan (subscriber, #4342) [Link]
> Not that it is specially cheap, True. What's worse, a rough comparison of the equivalent Windows version of the 1330n came up £150 /cheaper/ than the version with Ubuntu. As a result, people are likely to do what other shave suggested, buy a windows box and re-install, thus "priving" how little demand there is for Linux-based laptops. The frustration is that Dell's had a great idea, with flaws in the execution.
Refuse to pay "Phantom Linux Tax"!
Posted Feb 1, 2008 3:43 UTC (Fri) by amazingblair (subscriber, #2789) [Link]
Refuse to pay "Phantom Linux Tax"!
What? Windows on the same Dell machine is L150 cheaper than Ubuntu?!? My first impulse to congratulate Dell for supporting Linux is eroding quickly. There are three explanations for this strange pricing:
- the people at Dell are acting on random impulses, i.e., they are insane;
- they want to collect a Linux Bonus (the Windows wholesale price they don't have to spend, plus the extra money they charge the customer... for adding the FREE Ubuntu);
- they want to retard sales of Linux by overcharging. (Now who would want them to sell fewer units with Linux? Hmm...)
I bought my Dell Inspiron back before all this, and had to yank Windows and put Linux on myself. There was no choice back then. But you better believe — if I were in the market now — I would get on the phone and raise Cain about paying a "Phantom Linux Tax".
And so should you! Here's what you do. Get your rig spec'ed out the way you want it. You can see the final price in the shopping cart. Now price out another machine, identical except for having Windows instead of Ubuntu. Put it in the shopping cart as well. Dell lets you save your cart, and you can print it for reference, etc. NOW call the sales 800 number and give them an irate ear-full. Demand to know why there is this price difference, and don't accept any answer accept one: that they will lower the price on the Ubuntu machine to match the Windows machine price.
What have you got to lose? The phone call's toll-free, you can cancel your Dell order (and should if your price is not met!), and maybe we can light a fire under these people. Let's see what a little grass-roots marketing campaign can accomplish!
-Amazing Blair
Refuse to pay "Phantom Linux Tax"!
Posted Feb 2, 2008 5:33 UTC (Sat) by kevinbsmith (subscriber, #4778) [Link]
I haven't kept up with Windows licensing. I know at one point resellers often paid for Windows on each machine they sold, whether they shipped Windows with it or not. I remember reading that MS couldn't do that any more, but don't know if it stuck. That aside, there is a legitimate (if annoying) business reason to charge more for an Ubuntu installation than Windows: Support. Windows is a known quantity for them, with low marginal support costs. Windows users have a bazillion people they can ask for help without calling Dell. Ubuntu users might cost Dell a lot in support. I would hope not, but it is plausible. So I would say definitely challenge Dell on it. And if you choose to buy a Windows box to save money even though you're going to run Linux, let them know that too. But realize that they might not be able to lower the price. It doesn't mean they're evil. They might be, but this by itself doesn't mean that they are.
Low sales
Posted Jan 26, 2008 7:46 UTC (Sat) by ldo (subscriber, #40946) [Link]
Dell only seems to be shipping on the order of tens of thousands of Linux desktops. That's pretty small potatoes. It means they haven't managed to appeal to ordinary buyers, only to geeks techie types.
Compare this with the Asus Eee, which has managed an order of magnitude higher sales in half the time. They are the ones bringing Linux to the ordinary punters.
Not so low
Posted Jan 26, 2008 13:58 UTC (Sat) by khim (subscriber, #9252) [Link]
Asus Eee PC is totally new class of computers. And you have choice: Linux or Windows (Linux is cheaper). No wonder that people are buying Linux version (they are not stupid). With Dell situation is quite different: only few select models can be bought with Linux pre-installed. And then only in few countries. If you want something other - you'll buy different model, remove Windows and install Linux. It's not hard. So the only sane way of comparison is to compare sales of the same models in the supported regions - and only Dell knows this info. I'm pretty sure it's significant (but not overwhelming) percent...
Not so low
Posted Jan 27, 2008 17:04 UTC (Sun) by jordanb (subscriber, #45668) [Link]
Also you have to consider the fact that the Linux models are not well advertised. You can't just choose "Linux" in a drop down box while buying your computer (or have Linux be the default, like with eeepc). You have to go to a special part of their site, where it's offered along side FreeDOS (heh) and click through a few warnings saying you're *really* sure you don't want Windows.