Dell: New Ubuntu Desktop PC Within Days
In recent weeks, Dell.com’s U.S. website has not offered Ubuntu Linux desktop PCs. But that situation could change the week of August 2. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.
Our resident blogger stirred up some market confusion on July 22, when he noticed Dell’s Ubuntu site (www.dell.com/ubuntu) only offered laptops and netbooks with Ubuntu installed. Alas, Dell apparently wasn’t offering Ubuntu on desktop PCs anymore.
However, wise readers were quick to note a July 9 ComputerWorld report, in which Dell assured readers new Ubuntu desktops would debut soon.
Tick… tick… tick. Fast forward to the present — it’s been 20 days since the ComputerWorld report — and still no sign of the new Dell Inspiron desktop running Ubuntu.
Finally, some clearer answers from Dell. According to a company spokeswoman:
“I actually went on the record a few weeks ago to say we are in the middle of transitioning from an old desktop model to one of our newer desktops and expect [a desktop] Ubuntu offering to be available in a few weeks. I really expect it to be back on dell.com by next week.”
Based on the email’s time stamp, “next week” means there’s a high probability Dell’s new Ubuntu desktop PC will debut the week of Aug. 2.
The Bigger Picture
Dell’s support of Ubuntu is particularly important to Canonical, which is ramping up a channel partner program amid potential competition from Google Android (for smart phones) and Google Chrome OS (initially for netbooks).
Meanwhile, Ubuntu-centric PC makers like System76 and ZaReason continue to witness strong demand for Ubuntu-driven computers. In particular, System76 President Carl Richell says his company has had trouble keeping up with Starling NetBook and Meerkat NetTop orders.
The VAR Guy covers channel partner programs on his own site. Follow WorksWithU via Identi.ca, Twitter and RSS (available now) and our newsletter (coming soon).
[…] http://www.workswithu.com/2009/07/29/dell-new-ubuntu-desktop-pc-within-days/ […]
Without seeing the ComputerWorld article, I pointer out, here, in your previous post in this regard, that I was sure Dell was renewing their lineup, and, precisely as stated by the spokesperson, that their previous one was clearly outdated.
It irritates me when I see people complain about Dell and Linux (like it happened in many posts responding to the previous article), after everything they are doing:
http://linux.dell.com/
And particularly:
http://linux.dell.com/projects.shtml
Addendum: if you are using “hardware drivers” in Ubuntu, and you noticed your (binary driver) graphics are no longer breaking when you upgrade your kernel, this is thanks to the DKMS software, developed by Dell.
Leo @2: Generally speaking Dell has done more to promote Ubuntu than any other major PC maker. But those efforts have included a few missteps… such as this slow transition to a new desktop.
In contrast, smaller PC makers like System76 and ZaReason have bet their businesses on Ubuntu customers. And it shows. That’s not meant as an insult to Dell. Surely, Dell has multiple priorities and business focus areas that it needs to constantly manage and re-prioritize.
@The VAR Guy: yes, and sorry if I sounded like that was directed at you, it was directed at some of the folks who answered to your previous article, saying things like “Dell Linux support is a Joke”, “I would never buy from Dell” and such.
Now, regarding large Hardware Manufactures, I think IBM was a pioneer in high profile Linux support. But they play in a different league, which is why I think you haven’t mentioned them.
[…] Dell: New Ubuntu Desktop PC Within Days […]
[…] Work with U This entry was posted on Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 11:17 and is filed under Andet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. […]
The slow transition to newer versions of Ubuntu isn’t a problem for me. For me it’s the inconsistent message Dell is sending the Linux community about it’s support for Ubuntu.
Dell claims to be committed to Ubuntu but then cuts the number of models it supports and hides almost all of it’s Ubuntu offerings in the basement of it’s retail web site. Then as though that wasn’t bad enough it plasters “Dell Recommends Windows Vista” all over it’s Ubuntu pages.
There’s something that just isn’t right here.
Dell no longer carries desktop computers loaded with Ubuntu.
Dell no longer carries Mini9 netbooks loaded with Ubuntu.
Is Dell is a subsidiary of Microsoft?
Cozmo:
http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/laptop-inspiron-9/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-inspiron-9amp;cs=19amp;s=dhs
Isn’t that a mini9 with Ubuntu?
-jef
Here is the page for Dell Minis in the U.S.:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/laptop-mini?c=usamp;cs=19amp;l=enamp;s=dhsamp;~ck=mn
Here is the page for Dell’s Ubuntu computers:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=usamp;cs=19amp;l=enamp;s=dhs
What is missing for the consumer who might be looking for a Mini9 of Desktop with Ubuntu?
You think Dell would make the Mini9 more visable?
What about the 530N Desktop?
Dell has to play down Ubuntu or their boss, Microsoft, will hurt them.
Very informative. Maybe Dell and Microsoft have a secret pact with regards to selling desktops with working environments limited to Windows OS. That is why, I think that it is important for large computer producers to market only desktops without any built in OS. And to install only the needed software requested by the customer/buyer.
[email protected]: I agree that Dell needs to have a desktop Ubuntu PC in the market. But I don’t think Dell is bowing to pressure from Microsoft. Rather, I think Dell is weighing demand (or lack of demand?) for Ubuntu desktop systems… … If Dell saw a critical mass of sophisticated customers willing to buy Ubuntu desktops, I’m sure they’d ship the systems.
In other words: Dell answers to shareholders rather than Microsoft. If Ubuntu could reward shareholders with more Dell desktop sales, Dell would surely offer the systems. At least that’s my take on the situation.
Cozmo:
I most certainly agree that Dell’s website navigation is absolutely horrid. But their website organization is just as bad if you are forced to use their government/educational portal and looking for a specific server system configurations without invoking discrimination against Ubuntu. Dell’s site is a labyrinth of pain once you get past the items they are pushing on the frontpage and are looking for something specific.
-jef
I have had a few of my client purchase the 530N in the last few months. I doubt it is so hard to keep the 530 line or it’s successor available in Ubuntu at the same time as the Windoze option. The hardware is the same, except for the stickers.
I counted on Dell’s quality and low price for it’s 530N as a new way people formally using Windows could switch.