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 Channel Futures

Open Source


Ubuntu Linux Netbooks: What Dell Can Learn From ZaReason

  • Written by Joe Panettieri 1
  • September 4, 2008
Dell's new sub-notebook, the Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook, is the latest vote of confidence for Ubuntu Linux in the desktop and mobile markets. I'm genuinely impressed with Dell's commitment to Ubuntu. But Dell can learn two key lessons from ZaReason, a small PC maker that specializes in Ubuntu systems.

Dell Mini 9 Netbook Runs Ubuntu LinuxDell’s new sub-notebook, the Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook, is the latest vote of confidence for Ubuntu Linux in the desktop and mobile markets. I’m genuinely impressed with Dell’s commitment to Ubuntu. But Dell can learn two key lessons from ZaReason, a small PC maker that specializes in Ubuntu systems.

First, Dell needs consistent branding. The Mini 9 Netbooks come with Ubuntu or Windows. That’s fine. Competitive choice is good for businesses and consumers. However, the Mini 9 Netbook keyboard has that annoying Windows key/logo, according to the pictures I’ve seen. Does Dell have any plans for an Ubuntu key for those of us who choose the Linux operating system?

Ubuntu Linux Keyboard from ZaReasonThat sounds like a nitpick request. But over at ZAReason, the company lobbied Canonical hard to ensure ZaReason keyboards could include an Ubuntu logo (pictured at left). That’s smart branding and Ubuntu fanatics praise ZaReason for the move. Remember: Big companies like Apple and small innovators like ZaReason thrive because they focus on the small details. It’s time for Dell to do the same.

Second, Dell needs to be more timely with its Ubuntu refreshes. The moment Canonical gives a new Ubuntu release the green light, ZaReason typically is standing by to ship systems preloaded with the new operating system.

The same can’t be said for Dell. The company waited several months before preloading the Ubuntu 8.04 release because of extensive product testing. Somehow, Dell must strike a careful balance: Continue testing Ubuntu refreshes internally in order to minimize or eliminate issues with new operating systems, but also stay timely in order to compete with smaller, faster-moving Ubuntu system vendors.

Admittedly, I’m splitting hairs. Dell’s decision to offer Ubuntu on its Mini 9 Netbook is the latest watershed event for anyone seeking mobile, affordable alternatives to Microsoft’s bloated options.

And the progress doesn’t end here. Ubuntu NetBooks should be available from all major retailers later this year, Canonical has predicted.

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Mobility Open Source

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22 comments

  1. Avatar Wesley September 4, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
    Reply

    That is awesome news with Ubuntu on netbooks from dell. I am wondering as far as the issue of keeping up with the Ubuntu release schedule if it would be better for Dell to just upgrade when there is a long term support release like 8.04? That may not be a good idea but as a general rule I’m not for sure if the general public is ready for a new OS release every 6 months, of course I love it but its just a thought, and could be a bad thought at that.

  2. Avatar matthews September 4, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
    Reply

    I’m all for dell waiting a few months for wrinkles to be ironed. An Ubuntu release can be very cutting edge and slightly flaky which is why I usually test Ubuntu and use Linux Mint.

  3. Avatar leftystrat September 5, 2008 @ 12:04 am
    Reply

    I was just at dell.com. It appears that Ubuntu is only available on the lowest model. There was no ability to select on the other models.

    I’m looking forward to testing this unit out but I’m damn sure not paying the Microsoft Tax.

    My Dell rep will hear from me tomorrow 🙂

  4. Avatar Joe Panettieri September 5, 2008 @ 12:17 am
    Reply

    @leftystra: Confirmed, Ubuntu is only on the low-end Netbook model. And the Windows systems will easily outsell the Ubuntu alternatives. But if the Ubuntu crowd manages to buy enough of these devices, Dell will continue to introduce more and more Ubuntu systems.

    Trust me on this. Michael Dell himself was involved in the original selection of Ubuntu for some PC pre=installs. By embracing Ubuntu, he broke ranks with Microsoft the very year they shipped Windows Vista.

    People don’t realize how significant — and difficult — a move that must have been.

  5. Avatar Stomfi September 5, 2008 @ 3:42 am
    Reply

    It depends where you live, whether you get Windows or Linux on your netbook.

    Here in Australia, Microsoft owns the market such that you cannot buy any Dell or ASUS product with Linux unless you specially order it.

    But in Asia, it’s more likely to be the other way round. In fact a Chinese company is selling flash RAM netbooks with Linux in the $US98-120 price range and Linux laptops from $US300.

    If you haven’t been trained on Windows at school, Netbook optimised Linux is just an interface that does everything you’d ever want, whereas Windows XP Light might not do as much or as fast.

    But if you have been trained on Windows, you’ll have trouble even appreciating an alternate system, let alone learning to use it effectively, unless of course you mistakenly think it’s a special version of Windows.

  6. Avatar Pete Boyd September 5, 2008 @ 4:14 am
    Reply

    8.04.1, or its equivalent, is the best place at which Dell can be shipping a new Ubuntu. There are a lot of things broken that don’t get discovered until orders of magnitude more people test a new release. Ubuntu themselves are considering not declaring an LTS until an x.x.1 is released because it’s not considered enterprise-ready (read ‘thoroughly tested and obvious bugs wrung out’) until then.

  7. Avatar jim September 5, 2008 @ 11:02 am
    Reply

    Not only that from what I can see, that is only offering a 4gb ssd for Ubuntu and a 12-16 gb for Windows Xp.
    You can believe I won’t buy a Dell mini Inspiron 9.

    http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=usamp;cs=19amp;l=enamp;s=dhsamp;ST=dell%20inspiron%209amp;dgc=STamp;cid=34900amp;lid=871959

  8. Avatar sgtrock September 5, 2008 @ 11:06 am
    Reply

    “I was just at dell.com. It appears that Ubuntu is only available on the lowest model. There was no ability to select on the other models.”

    I went to Dell’s website yesterday myself. I was able to customize the Linux option to the same specs as each of the two Windows boxes for the same price. Not exactly ideal, but at least there’s no price premium.

  9. Avatar Boycott Novell raquo; Links 05/09/2008: Sub-$100 GNU/Linux L September 5, 2008 @ 1:07 pm
    Reply

    […] Ubuntu Linux Netbooks: What Dell Can Learn From ZaReason […]

  10. Avatar davesnyd September 5, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
    Reply

    I’m happy to see Dell offer notebooks.

    But in your rush to check them out, also go see ZaReason.

    I’ve had one of their desktops for nine months. It has been solid, they quickly answer emails, everything just worked.

    Every time I’ve priced a Dell system, I end up feeling screwed– because their equivalent Windows system is $25-$100 less.

    At ZaReason, I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with the company (good quality products), their people (friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and responsive), and their service (computer shipped and was to me before it was supposed to be).

  11. Avatar TripleII September 5, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
    Reply

    Let’s give DELL a HUGE Kudo’s here folks. They have broken another barrier here. Show of hands, how many people find the normal Ubuntu Dell offerings when they arrive at Dell.com. {A sea of lowered hands}. That’s right, it is in a hard to find sister site. We only find it because we know about it. Now, and here is the breakthrough. Go to Dell.com (like Mr and Mrs Joe Average), click on Inspiron Mini One. Look at that. Ubuntu right there, right beside the XP versions.

    Not hidden on a sister site. Right there, mainstream, you see Ubuntu competing right alongside the Windows versions. Trust me, this is a breakthrough. It means, over time, we will see the sister site integrated (so long as MS doesn’t backlash, which it won’t) into the main site.

    Despite DELL seeming to place less emphasis on the Linux versions, this is really really cool, and a huge breakthrough. For any other OEM vendor’s site you know, where does the average consumer ever get presented with the choice of non Windows at the main site(s)

    TripleII

  12. Avatar Joe Panettieri September 5, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
    Reply

    @Triplell: You are absolutely correct. And the credit goes all the way to the top, to Michael Dell. Yes, other small evangelists like ZaReason and System76 deserve our respect and kudos. But Dell also deserves some praise for finding a way to promote Ubuntu systems that could greatly upset Microsoft.

  13. Avatar Vadim P. September 5, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
    Reply

    System76 fixed their “logo bug”: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=5733298

    Though as a current customer of system76 this really doesn’t bother me much. It’s just a key, wrong picture, so what :

  14. Avatar Jim B September 5, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
    Reply

    I just went to the Dell.com site and sure enough the Mini9 Ubuntu model can be built to have the same memory and SSD (drive) size and the other OS models. Just pick the Ubuntu model and build it the way you want it. Thanks Dell!

  15. Avatar FreeBooteR September 5, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
    Reply

    I’d like to buy one from Zareason but they won’t ship them outside the US.

  16. Avatar Vexorian September 5, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
    Reply

    Oh my god! ubuntu logo at the keyboard, I now might sell my soul to get a ZaReason…

  17. Avatar Joe Panettieri September 5, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
    Reply

    @Vexorian: You don’t need to sell your soul; just use your credit card.

  18. Avatar The blipping radar laquo; Cathy Malmrose September 7, 2008 @ 3:22 am
    Reply

    […] Thanks to Joe Panettieri, The VAR Guy, and now Works with U ZaReason blipped on the radar this week. Joe is a large, respected voice in the tech sector. His latest piece caught my attention: Ubuntu Linux Netbooks: What Dell Can Learn From ZaReason. […]

  19. Avatar aikiwolfie September 8, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
    Reply

    I’m happy to see Dell go to market with a new version of Ubuntu a little late. Maybe a few weeks. But months is ridiculous for a company that claims to be involved and working closely with Canonical and Ubuntu developers.

    It’s not even as though Ubuntu has a closed super secrete development strategy. The alpha releases are always available, the beta releases are always out there and the release candidates are easy enough for ordinary folk to find.

    Why is it then that Dell, the company that’s involved and working closely with the developers always seems to be last to the party? It doesn’t make sense.

    But the VAR guy is right. Dell needs to start paying attention to the details. But not the detail in a keyboard button. Before Dell gets that persnickety it needs to make Ubuntu systems more visible. Get them out of the basement! The new Mini 9 is the first Ubuntu system to my knowledge to actually feature on the main site!

  20. Avatar Josh September 15, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
    Reply

    I’m kinda upset at Dell right now actually. Sure, they “released” a Ubuntu mini, but as the site says “Pre-order Ubuntu” when selecting the linux mini 9. Further clicking the links lead to a “15 day delay on Ubuntu orders”.

    Shocked I contacted Dell directly to ask about the ship date. The rep said “That date is wrong, the Ubuntu mini won’t ship till Oct. 20th.” I contacted two more reps both through my company discount chat, the retail page and over the phone confirming that the Ubuntu model won’t be available till Oct. 20th.

    So, yes, in a way this is a triumph for Linux, however, not just yet. Wait till we can actually see one in person verses the minis in the online reviews.

    I linked my blog on my account here. It has more details on this release date mess.

  21. Avatar Josh September 15, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
    Reply

    BTW, can anyone recommend a good netbook with a great keyboard for prolonged typing with Linux (I have no distro prefs)? Oh, I need it before Oct. 6th, my honeymoon and I’d like to get some writing done.

  22. Avatar watcher September 17, 2010 @ 5:48 am
    Reply

    not to sound mean but, why not just buy some ubuntu stickers from Canonical and put one over the windows logo key? it might work in a pinch.

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