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200

Dell Inspiron 9 Netbook with LINUX!

200 points posted to Linux by kjano 09/04/08

I cannot believe it! you are selling a netbook with windows only? why? all other netbooks are sold as linux and windows versions.

aikiwolfie
09/04/08		 Where was it published the mini would Windows XP only?
aikiwolfie
09/04/08		 Can't find anywhere that says it's XP only!

  1. http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/04/dells-inspiron-mini-9-pops-official/

  2. http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/desktop/showArticle.jhtml?articl...

  3. http://www.dailytech.com/Dell+Inspiron+Mini+Netbook+Coming+this+Week/article1...

  4. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Dell-039-s-Inspiron-Mini-9-Specs-Price-and-Pic...

  5. http://gizmodo.com/5045262/insipron-mini-9-going-for-99-if-you-buy-another-dell

  6. http://gizmodo.com/5045220/dell-inspiron-mini-9-available-now-windows-xp-399-...

  7. http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?cs=19&kc=6f961&oc=dnpcxw1&...
kjano
09/04/08		 http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiro...~ you cannot the linux version in germany
nerach
09/04/08		 The same in France !
It's not possible to order anything else then Windows :(

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiro...
kjano
09/04/08		 that is sooooo stupide! moreover in some cases dell still sells linux notebooks more expensive than with vista.....
aikiwolfie
09/04/08		 Nope it's not out in the UK either. But it should be soon hopefully.
winoffice
09/04/08		 Ubuntu is already offered.
aikiwolfie
09/04/08		 Not everywhere it's not. At least not yet. I might still need to click that promote button.
hardt
09/05/08		 it seems we won't have Linux on the Mini in Europe. I was really waiting for this laptop, i was hesitating between the Dell and MSI wind.
I think that Dell made the choice for me...
aikiwolfie
09/05/08		 If we don't get Linux on the mini in Europe then we simply go to a competitor. HP has a similar sized convertible tablet. It's not a Linux UMPC either, but it's better than the Mini 9.
john_h
09/05/08		 Please be patient...it's coming.
ubondell
09/05/08		 @john_h - Could you provide a little more clarity on why the Ubuntu version is so much behind the Windows versions. This model seems to have virtually no HW options, and what it has seems like it is already supported in Linux. If it was just one component, like the camera, couldn't you have shipped it and added the SW for that later through the packaging system. That is the best feature of Ubuntu, that all the SW is maintained and upgraded through the aptitude packaging system.

Some of us may want to occasionally use these on our work networks, and Win XP Home won't cut it for that.
winoffice
09/05/08		 Not offered in Europe? Well I was assuming that the US was being discussed. OK then, I agree that this option should be available elsewhere as well.
john_h
09/05/08		 @ubondell:Unfortunately I can't really give reasons why it's not offered in Europe yet. All I can say is that it will be offered there soon for you.
ubondell
09/05/08		 Since I live the USA I am more interested why I can't get a Linux one here yet (only pre-order), but multiple WinXP_home versions are offered now. Have you considered out-sourcing the Linux development to Canonical?
aikiwolfie
09/06/08		 I'm guessing it's likely the WinXP customers are getting the first models off the production line. That is the bigger market at the moment.
awong
09/09/08		 Canada gets the short end of the stick as well, again...
dawn4598
09/09/08		 Ubuntu
awong
09/10/08		 "Inspiron Mini devices featuring an intuitive Dell-developed custom interface are expected to be available in a few weeks with a starting price of $359 CAN." Does this mean that Linux is coming with the Mini 9 to Canada soon?
kjano
09/13/08		 and it should not be more expensive than the WinXP version: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/10092122/Mini_9_netbook_Ubuntu_price_mu...
arhere
09/16/08		 @john_h : Why is Ubuntu delayed anyways?

-AR
aikiwolfie
09/18/08		 @arhere: john_posted this up there ^ ... "... Unfortunately I can't really give reasons why it's not offered in Europe yet. ...". He's already said he doesn't know.
arhere
09/19/08		 @aikiwolfie, I was not talking about Europe, but the delay in general. I don't need a translator, but thank you for trying to help.
-AR
aikiwolfie
09/19/08		 LOL didn't say you did.
aikiwolfie
09/30/08		 Think I've found something that might explain a few things. It seem Microsoft is involved in a tie-up deal with the mobile phone firms that provide mobile internet services and the manufacturers building laptops. One of which being Dell. I suspect Dell has sold out to Microsoft again.

When the Linux based Eee PC took the market by storm Microsoft reacted badly, hurriedly thrashing out knew deals with it's partners. When the OLPC began to look like a reality in the third world Microsoft bullied the project into submission by ganging up on it with Intel. Now even though XP is apparently passed it's use-by-date, Microsoft are desperately trying to squeeze it into the OLPC. And it runs like a lame dog.

Microsoft has no intention of allowing anybody else to gain a foot hold in the PC OS market. Not even on netbooks or laptops.

Fast forward for mobile broadband

"... Laptop makers Dell, Toshiba and Lenovo have signed up to the alliance along with 3, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Ericsson, Orange, Qualcomm and Vodafone. ..."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7642948.stm
arhere
10/05/08		 ...hmmmmm. So two theories come to mind; one good, one bad.

Option A.) Dell is stuck with a delay of trying to get Linux drivers made for the cell-phone cards, and this has delayed the Ubuntu release. Either Dell is paying for the driver work or Canonical is. More then likely, Canonical has offered to create the drivers, and Dell is taking a small chance in waiting for the development. It is possible, however unlikely, that Dell has grown a pair and is covering the bill of the driver development themselves in a partnership with Canonical. This would imply that Dell has something up their sleeve and and taking on a big risk.

Option B.) The delay of the Ubuntu version is simply due to MS making a deal. They would do the development work of getting Windows drivers for the mini-9, if Dell promises to give MS the first shot as the mini-9 OS. I would imagine the business heads in MS think this will deter normal computer users from getting an Ubuntu version because they will have to wait. Therefor only die-hard Linux geeks will wait this long for the Ubuntu version. Even better, some die-hard Linux geeks will get the XP version only to reinstall Ubuntu later. What does MS care about the later as long as MS product is being purchased and not a Linux product. Market share is really about perception and they can still claim that machine sold is a preferred Windows product.

Then there is Option C.)... all of the above!

In my years of engineering there is always a constant, bean counters and greedy managers will always take first place in a cooperate environment over enthusiastic engineers and hopeful communities.

-AR
vida_k
10/07/08		 Check this out - here is the offering in the UK - http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2008/10/06/dells-linux-powered-inspiron-mini-9-o...
arhere
10/07/08		 @DELL vida_k: Is this comment in the blog true?

""Given that the XP version costs £299 - only £30 more than the Linux - and features a better webcam in addition to that extra 8GB of solid state space, we suspect most customers will opt to go with Windows.""

If so, why is it that marketing keeps making this mistake with pricing. It is starting to seem intentional.

-AR
vida_k
10/07/08		 arhere - That is an editorial comment from that blog, not from a Dell spokesman. I was just trying to find a local publication for reference. The price difference in the US is ~$40-$50 cheaper for Linux, so this is in line with the pricing in the UK.
kjano
10/08/08		 but the pricing is not important. linux users are not low demand users, i want to have the same nice configuration as for the windows mini 9, not the reduced and therefore useless version; see http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/10093072/ubuntu_mini_9_with_17GB_SSD_an...
arhere
10/09/08		 @vida_k, +1 on kjano as that was what I was asking. I REALLY appreciate you showing us the article, but what I was pointing out is the resulting perception of the blogger, "...features a better webcam...extra 8GB...we suspect most customers will opt to go with Windows"

It gives the impression that having a Linux machine is a low class computer, when we all know the OS has nothing to do with the hardware it is on. Linux users just want fairness and choice.

-AR
arhere
10/09/08		 HOLY COW!!!

Check this out! Dell released a commercial about the mini-9 and guess what.... it features the Ubuntu OS, no XP in site! You can even see the Ubuntu logo and tux on the desktop! w00t!

here it is from Dell.


Granted, the commercial focuses on the hardware and not the OS, but Dell must be starting to think highly of Ubuntu to show it off like that!

EDIT: It says, "Dell recomends Windows" on top! LMAO! Talk about talking out of both sides of your mouth! Whatever, I am still happy as heck. I ordered mine last week! w00t!

-AR
aikiwolfie
10/10/08		 WOW! Nice commercial. I'd buy one if they showed that in the UK and sold the Mini 9 with Ubuntu in the UK. That was awesome. I want one now! Totally gob smacked Dell did that LOL
 
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