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More Linux-based laptops from Dell (vnunet)
Vnunet reports
that Dell is extending sales of computers with Ubuntu preloaded.
"Customers in the UK, Germany, France and Spain can purchase
pre-loaded versions of Ubuntu Linux 7.10 with built-in DVD playback on the
Dell XPS 1330n, in addition to the previously-released Inspiron 530n
desktop system, according to an official Dell blog."
(Log in to post comments)
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 (subscriber, #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 (guest, #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:
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 (guest, #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 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 (guest, #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.
Non OS-laptops, Eee PC & about the DVD issue Posted Sep 2, 2008 23:54 UTC (Tue) by robsku (guest, #53709) [Link] Here ir Finland there are at least couple stores that sell special laptops with no OS - no Linux either, but then again I would never buy a readily set up system, even if it had Linux, as a desktop computer (those I assemble myself anyway). Before I used to think that the only knid of laptop I would buy mould be one of those that come without OS installed (naturally checking that Linux will support the hardware).But now it has changed - Eee PC is so much what I want from laptop: Light, *small* (fits in my bag) and hardware supported by Linux... Well, it does have one pre-instaled and there is even some negative thing I've heard from it, BUT: As I understand, it has some special stuff for example providing wake up time from sleep mode half as quick as regular similiar setup would. It's Debian based (well, Ubuntu but it's origins are in deöbian) and I know that I can modiy it *really heavy* if it' Fedora or Debian based (I used to be Fedora lover and my server still runs one, no other reason to mention it here). And I most certainly will... When I'm finished it might mell be running Ion2 as WM for example (fit's well as the WM itself can be fully KB operated, I hate mousepads in laptops and even those small mouses for laptops are not exactly the most comfortables of mouses - although I will get one to use with it as it's still beats the mouse out of pad). One thing I have to say about the DVD issue: I don't care if it's illegal or not but will keep using libdvdcss (with Ogle). Currently I have no other choice even (no, installing a toy OS is NOT an option, I will not give up the power and efficiensy of my Linux, swap to an inferior system that I dont consider really to even work - and pay for it. Also I like to assemble my hardware and set up my OS preferrably myself. LinDVD is only licensed to manufacturers!! I have two computers and I should buy one more? A more expensive one than self assembled too of course. Makes no sense when there is software available that allows me to view DVDs and using it for that hurts nobody. Nor do I have any respect for those laws denying me from watching my legally bought DVDs - I believe that Eee PC has no DVD drive? If so, I will even go as far as to commit what Big Guys seem to think as something unspeakable: I will rip the DVD! Not just raw image but I will circumvent the "copy protection" and (*shudder*) encode the movie into XViD, copy it to my laptop to watch it on a trip - might do it even if it has DVD drive as they make noise and heat and they eat batteries faster than reading smaller XViD from SDD. Then after coming home I will delete the copy. Interestingly it would be only comdemnable if I never bought the movie and freloaded it than if I use wrong software to watch and have paid for it. From the later deed I could get actually punished! So no respect for this kind of nonsense - I summed up in more organized and throughout blog post critizism about this: HackNBlog: Watching legal DVDs on Linux claimed illegal.
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