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More Linux-based laptops from Dell (vnunet)More Linux-based laptops from Dell (vnunet)Posted Jan 27, 2008 11:55 UTC (Sun) by man_ls (subscriber, #15091)In reply to: More Linux-based laptops from Dell (vnunet) by tajyrink Parent article: More Linux-based laptops from Dell (vnunet) 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.
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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:
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.
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