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3340

Can we get Studio Hybrid with Ubuntu?

3340 points posted to Desktops, Linux, Operating Systems by arhere 08/01/08

I LOVE the new Studio Hybrid PC's. Can we get it preinstalled with Ubuntu? This would drop the price even more and be a GREAT PC for surfing the Web and such.

If you say no to this idea, can we at least get a "Ubuntu capable" certification for the hardware?





Please see john_h's comments below. We do not plan on offering this at this time.

sirebral
08/01/08		 I'm installing Ubuntu as soon as my Hybrid arrives. I'll tell you how that goes.

Something else that should be asked is if DELL can litigate refunds for their pre-installed Vista OS.
undead999
08/01/08		 I would want an option of a TV tuner with ubuntu
arhere
08/01/08		 I just spoke to a Dell rep. and he said the Studio Hybrid is the Inspiron laptop repackaged. So if that works with Ubuntu then so should this PC.

BTW: Hehehe, someone changed my post, the bottom sentence said something a little different. ;-)
duguanglin
08/01/08		 Expecting Dell to list Ubuntu as an option on this lovely Hybrid. sirebral, please do tell us your result.
sirebral
08/01/08		 yes yes. I will I will. I bought this to replace my 2.4ghz single core, 2gb Ram old Dell tower that I bought in 2003. It's big and sucks energy, and all I really use it for is typing and surfing the web. I'm building a Quad Core PC with a lighted tower. fun fun!!

So I am glad to get rid of the energy waste and receive about the same system value. Plus, the Hybrid is just great looking.
arhere
08/01/08		 can I have your energy waster? ... :-P
-AR
sirebral
08/01/08		 I will sell it for $200. It won't come with a HD or the CD RW and DVD RW drives.
john_h
08/01/08		 We're not planning to sell Ubuntu on the Studio Hybrid, but it is a pretty nice little machine. The team did some testing on it with 8.04 several months back. Most of the hardware works bu default, except for video (had to switch to generic VESA driver). The system's Intel graphics chipset isn't supported in 8.04, but I would expect 8.10 to work very well.
mcmlxxix
08/02/08		 Could Dell at least give the option to choose their computers without any preinstalled OS?? Dell could limitate only to inform about the compatibility with some of them, for example Windows, Ubuntu, Suse.... as it was said in the first post. I know I am just a idealistic person :(
arhere
08/02/08		 @john_h
Maybe a cheap NVidia or ATI graphics chip would be better.

Also, I second mcmlxxix comment. A LOT of your posters would be made happy if you could at least offer all hardware with an empty HDD option when selecting the OS. I want something like the studio Hybrid, but have no need/desire for Vista, and don't want to pay for it.

-AR
aikiwolfie
08/02/08		 The problem with the video is it's Intel X3100! Which Linux in general doesn't like. I'm not sure why but the problem can actually be fixed with some tweaking. Not ideal for consumers. But if it's all preloaded that shouldn't be a problem. Of course maybe you could just dump the X3100 graphics all together and put something decent in there?

If Dell had been far sighted enough to put decent graphics in this machine it could have replaced practically every set-top box people currently own. Including their games consoles! That would have been a major coup for Dell.
arhere
08/04/08		 @ john_h; on your comment, "We're not planning to sell Ubuntu on the Studio Hybrid"

Why not?

-AR
aikiwolfie
08/04/08		 Didn't you read the thread? Ubuntu doesn't work properly with the Studio Hybrid because the Hybrid uses Intel X3100 graphics. Which have too many know issues that need to be ironed out. Although ... with that said what's on offer with the other Ubuntu laptops if you don't opt for the Nvidia upgrade?
john_h
08/04/08		 @arhere: we're still focusing mainly on selling Ubuntu and laptops and just hitting one of the desktops. The current desktop we're focusing on is the 530. but we'll probably do a different one for 8.10. We are working to make sure that the Studio Hybrid works well with Ubuntu, we just haven't planned to take the next step to actually sell it with Ubuntu. However, if enough people ask for this, we could certainly change that strategy. We'll see how the voting goes for this idea.
sirebral
08/04/08		 that's good news, john_h. Ubuntu is such a power horse as an OS. I am sure the demand is there. Even if the Studio Hybrid works with Ubuntu I know I will be happy.

I think the best idea is to make Ubuntu an OS for *all* of your computers, and give users the option of buying their computer with Ubuntu. Not many people like Vista. Some of them are just forced to use it because they don't have an alternative.
aikiwolfie
08/04/08		 Any chance you can sneak a better graphics option in there? I'll tip you for Micheal Dells job if you do :oD
sirebral
08/04/08		 aikiwolfie!! Read the ATI XGP Idea. Who cares about stock graphics cards when you can get all the Video Power you need with that device?
aikiwolfie
08/04/08		 Isn't that designed to work with another ATI card? And using that would take us another step towards my stacker idea. Which of course would be nice ;o)
john_h
08/04/08		 I don't get a say for what hardware goes on a system...just the software. :-)
arhere
08/05/08		 @john_h; thank you for being active in this thread. I saw that you offer Ubuntu on a desktop, laptop, gaming laptop, and what is missing now is a nettop; AKA a small, VERY affordable PC for general use. Thus why I got excited when I saw the studio hybrid, my wife would love one!

@aikiwolfie; Yes I read the thread. He also mentioned possible future support in 8.10, not to mention the driver issue might be worked out before then. I was asking "why" to get him to expand the business end, not the technical one. Thank you for feeling the need to point out the obvious.

-AR
aikiwolfie
08/05/08		 Well can't you hack the hardware dudes e-mail and send out a decree using his account telling his bods to put better graphics in? We won't tell nobody! ;o)
aikiwolfie
08/05/08		 @arhere: You're welcome! :oD Always a pleasure to be of service ;o)
adamshannara
08/07/08		 I would like to buy a Studio Hybrid, but I won't if I can't get it without a preinstalled OS. I have no interest in buying Windows: I'm at Dell to buy a computer.

When I can get an OSless or Linux-powered Studio Hybrid from Dell, I'll buy one instantly.
arhere
08/07/08		 I just noticed the Ubuntu offered 1525N and the Studio 15 have Intel X3100 GPU's, but it was said Ubuntu will not work with the graphics on the hybrid.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Did I miss something????

-AR
aikiwolfie
08/07/08		 I just noticed that too. What gives?
infinitelink
08/07/08		 I would think that part of the power-savings from this machine comes from using Windows specifically...so I think it would beneficial that in the event the Linux community really did want this to load with Linux from a vendor to really work on efficiency (without killing-off performance). But I may be speaking dumbly too...

At any rate, it is nice to know when hardware will work with both systems: personally I like Windows, but Vista really is a huge turn-off...who wants DRM built-into the kernel, wrongfully disabling hardware and features without warning? I'm all for property rights, including reasonable IP rights (sometimes things get ridiculous), but when the OS is working to consume a system's resources (4GB RAM recommended? Please) itself to give "the experience" rather than being responsive, light, and a platform from which to run software that's actually for being productive...it's time to look at other options: that's why I personally like being able to use Linux Operating Systems on machines, usually installed alongside Windows OS.

And if you Dell guys even just donate Hardware for testing and programming work, providing technical details and answering questions, there really are probably enough guys out there who know what they're doing, and who are enthusiasts, to really help you with all the testing of hardware and such, who'd probably do it for free: people like linux not just because it's lighter, or because of ideology...but because it's fun for them: it's why an unsupported 1-hour-in-the-public piece of hardware will be by hour three stripped, opened, loaded with the start of a linux port, and all the details and technical specs are up with it.
sirebral
08/07/08		 It was said that Ubuntu will revert to the VESA Driver. It was also said that Ubuntu 8.10 should have some drivers that work with the Hybrid, so maybe you missed a driver update.
aikiwolfie
08/07/08		 Yeah so why does it work with the Inspiron TM 1525 LINUX (N0852515) ?

@infinitelink: The last article I read on power savings had Linux ahead of Windows. Intel in particular has been doing a lot of work to make Linux more power efficient. Their PowerTop software is the Bees-Knees. It does a great job of optimizing power usage. And of course Linux can do all the normal tricks we see in OSs. Hibernation, CPU throttling, good resource management (like only using the page file when it actually needs to) etc.
john_h
08/07/08		 Intel's "X3100" is kind of a generic marketing name they give to their embedded graphics chips. The Studio Hybrid has what is known as Intel's "Eagle Lake" chipset, support for which didn't make it into 8.04.
aikiwolfie
08/07/08		 Man I so hate it when companies do that. What's wrong with keeping it simple and naming everything properly? Thanks John.
arhere
08/07/08		 @john_h, thank you.

I am serious, the minute Ubuntu is available on the hybrid (with a somewhat descent video card), I am buying one for my wife! She would LOVE the purple one!

-AR
zorath
08/10/08		 This will be perfect for Ubuntu and for me too. I would like better graphics too, but the x3100 will be fine for most, and it keeps the power down as well. I will buy one as soon as they release one with Ubuntu on it. No, wait, I can't. There are no Ubuntu Dell's released in Australia yet. I'll take a Ubuntu Dell Hybrid and a Ubuntu Dell Netbook thanks.

Please release them in Australia.
dmm
08/10/08		 Put me down as one more voice for "offer the choice of OS when configuring the system" idea... many people (who are less tech-savvy than others) may have seen PR headlines about Ubuntu on Dell systems and then will forget or get frustrated looking when it comes time to place an order.

And the wheels in my head have been turning for a while now about putting together a "media box" running MythTV (http://www.mythtv.org/) over Linux. I'd originally been looking at an XPS laptop... now I'm planning on the Studio Hybrid, though I'm hoping a different Linux distro will get around the current video snags with Ubuntu.
aikiwolfie
08/10/08		 Or just use Mythbuntu?



sirebral
08/12/08		 Tested and Failed. Don't even bother to try and install Ubuntu on this computer until 8.10 comes out because it fails. I can try the CD out, nor can I even see what I am installing. Nothing worked.

If you are looking to run Ubuntu on this - I failed. If you are running Ubuntu on this, please tell me how.
sirebral
08/12/08		 Reposting with better success. I rolled back to a 7.10 version disc and I could run a test of Ubuntu. The sound is skipping from the start-up, but I thought a connection to the internet would fix that with a driver update.

8.04 - failed in video and sound
7.10 0 succeeded in video failed/succeeded in sound

I am running an install and posting updates here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=875771
aikiwolfie
08/13/08		 Cool. 8.10 isn't that far away now anyways. I think I can wait a few months for this.
arhere
08/14/08		 strange how 8.04, the newer version, does not work.

-AR
aikiwolfie
08/14/08		 Not really. Intels X3100 graphics have always given Ubuntu users issues. The Dell team got it working in VESA mode. So it does work. Just not in a way most people would be happy to buy.
ethana2
08/17/08		 That's very interesting. I learned something.

It would actually be a very nice option to be able to register operating system changes on Dell's site using one's service tag. This would be good for statistical purposes, gauging demand, need for hardware support-- and sometimes what you want is only available with vista and you have to get it refunded and all that, but then when a mainboard goes bad or a wifi chip burns out or goodness knows what and the techs are trying to make you prove that it's really broken, you know, and they're telling you to go to the start menu and-- yeah..

I currently have one Dell Latitude I'd like to register as running Ubuntu.
...ok yeah, I'm going to try to put this on ideastorm as its own idea..
aikiwolfie
08/18/08		 I think it's already been posted and no it hasn't been implemented. The trouble is Dells help pages rely very heavily on Microsoft technologies like ActiveX. They're basically designed for IE and only IE.
registration
08/28/08		 This idea is the only reason I signed up for IdeaStorm.
arhere
08/30/08		 Well, I gave up waiting. A vender gave me an Intel Atom processor + motherboard combo and I just bought a mini-ITX case and some RAM. I know my wife wanted this PC instead, but we gave up waiting for DELL to think this is a good idea.

*shrug* -AR
aikiwolfie
09/01/08		 Awesome! Let us know how it goes. What case did you buy? What motherboard? Let us know! Please post some links.
arhere
09/01/08		 MB = Intel Essentials Series D945GCLF
with 1.6GHz Atom processor. ;A vendor gave this to me as a "sample" so I am not sure you can buy it yet, otherwise I would have waited for the Hybrid.
CASE = An APEX MI-008 mini-ITX case.
RAM = Just a 1GB Crucial DDR2 DRAM
HDD = a 16GB USB memory stick. I picked that and the RAM up cheap at a local computer store.

I have already done a test install of 8.04.1 on the Atom board with a 30GB USB hard drive and the motherboard took to Ubuntu perfectly with no issues. The integrated graphics and Atom processor are very impressive, runs compiz effects and OpenGL very smoothly. Not sure why DELL did not go with this MB combo as it works very well with Windows XP and Ubuntu 8.04.1.

I know this is not as pretty as the Hybrid, as that stuff matters a lot to my wife, but a nice working desktop with 3D effects is more important to her so, *shrug*. The one last purchase I am waiting for is for DELL to offer the 910 ultra-portable that has been leaked. I just hope DELL is taking the Ubuntu OS seriously and will offer it without us having to suggest it. If not, I heard a rumor that System76 is also working on an inexpensive ultra-portable, and you know they will offer Ubuntu. We will just have to wait and see who comes out ahead.

-AR
aikiwolfie
09/01/08		 Nice! The case isn't as pretty as the Hybrid. But it'll do the job. It'll sit there in you're living room looking like any other living room device. Which is partly what we all from from a system like that. And as a bonus, like most other cubes it has an expansion slot too. So we could upgrade either the graphics or the sound or add an internal TV tuner if we wanted to.
hellosiva
09/05/08		 I am waiting for the video driver to be ready to purchase this. I need this for my MythTV front end. The computer that I am using now is bulky.
sirebral
09/06/08		 no offense arhere, but that PC is ugly. I am much happier with my Hybrid waiting for Intrepid.
susanna777
09/07/08		 I'm practically drooling over the hybrid! It looks SO awesome. But there is NO way I'm buying it unless it comes with Ubuntu preinstalled!
arhere
09/07/08		 @sirebral: Hehehe, no offense taken, especially since most of the hardware was given to me. Free and cute is always better then expensive and hot looking. Millions of single men agree! ;-)
Sorry for the pun on that last one!,
-AR
johnnydingills
09/09/08		 I'm looking to purchase this but to use it as a server, not running X and booting to Runlevel 3. Is the video driver the only issue people seem to be facing with Linux? Has anyone tried CentOS 5.2? or Fedora? I will most likely run CentOS but I do not want to spend $500 only to find out the hardware is not natively supported by the Linux kernel.
-JD
erland
09/09/08		 This is a great idea. I'm looking to upgrade my PC in the next month or so and would love to buy one of these with Ubuntu pre-installed. Otherwise, I'll have to go with some other computer that supports Ubuntu properly.
aikiwolfie
09/09/08		 So far as I know the video driver is the only problem. The particular version of the Intel X3100 graphics chip Dell used on this model doesn't have a driver. I think it would run fine in text mode. john_h said it worked in VESA mode and they were hoping to have it running by Ubuntu 8.10.
erlguta
09/10/08		 Great idea. If all the people says that it work all perfect with intrepid when it was released (intel X3100 graphic card, wireless, ect), i am going to buy it.
I am voting to for the idea to a powerfull video card that support 3D games in this PC.
hellosiva
09/19/08		 This might be useful for people who are trying to install ubuntu.
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Installing_MythTV_On_Dell_Hybrid_Studio_...

I hope the digital audio on the HDMI works.
eowyncarter
09/23/08		 Yes, we need linux on this one !

The use i would of this is to make a small sevrer , so, linux requiered there ;)
rj125
09/27/08		 Every web designer in the world would want this hooked up to their TV in there living room and also running an Apache server for the entire house.
ultim8k
10/02/08		 I'm gonna buy a studio hybrid as soon as Dell ships it with ubuntu preinstalled only! I like Dell because it's serious and reliable company but I don't believe the same about Microsoft. I don't like their restrictions and their licence mania and also the INSECURITY AND INSTABILITY of their operating system. So if anyone in Dell reads this, please give linux the chance!!!
 
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