Same discounts available on Ubuntu and Windows

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15640

Same discounts available on Ubuntu and Windows

15640 points posted to Linux, Operating Systems, Sales Strategies by jonsmirl 06/12/07 **PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED**

I'm ordering a Vista XPS 410 right now. I wanted a Ubuntu one but I'm going to throw away yet another copy of Windows. The Vista XPS 410 has $200 off today and free ship for a total of $869. The identical Ubuntu machine is $1019 plus $29.99 shipping. So today Ubuntu costs $170 more than Windows instead of $50 less. Why can't I have the same discounts on the Ubuntu machine?

jorge 06/12/07	We've covered this a thousand times, its not going to happen, the kickback from Microsoft is too big to allow us to have a Free OS be cheaper than Vista, heck even no OS will cost us more than having Windows installed.
jonsmirl 06/12/07	The XPS 410 is today's deal of the day in their new marketing campaign. $200 off is only good today. I've only seen $200 off this model once before about a month ago. I believe the $200 off has more to do with price drops on the Core 2 Duo CPUs and the new Intel chipsets than any software rebates. If software rebates were so large it would make more sense to not offer standalone Ubuntu and offer a dual boot Ubuntu/Vista combo instead. That way Dell would capture the kickbacks on every machine shipped, but they don't do that. If the $200 off is hardware related Ubuntu should get the same discounts.
mistern 06/12/07	I don't think Dell needs any "reason" for discounts. I would like to see Dell get rid of unsensical discounts anyways (without feasible non-100% condition that is).
jmxz 06/12/07	jorge: "We've covered this a thousand times, its not going to happen, the kickback from Microsoft is too big to allow us to have a Free OS be cheaper than Vista, heck even no OS will cost us more than having Windows installed." Except the last official response from Dell on that subject was rougly "Ubuntu systems will be about $50 cheaper than the same system with windows". I think Dell should update that statement and just openly state "Ubuntu will cost more because it's better (you get a complete OS similar to Vista Ultimate) - and someone pays us to put the feature-reduced crippleware versions of Windows on your computer".
jorge 06/12/07	I'm uninstalling Vista on a laptop, user complained of sluggishness, lack of resources to do the same tasks that are currently done on a older, slower, less performance rich computer, XP for him. I know, I know, Ubuntu but thats what they want, I'm not using it.
jaybird 06/13/07	BTW - discount codes that are good for the regular 1505 work for the 1505N as well. It's just the specific "in line" discounts that are only for a given product. In comparing products, it did appear to me that the Ubuntu machines were about $50 less when you adjust for differences in hardware. Aside from that, my Inspiron E1505N blows the doors off my 5 month old Dell Optiplex 720 with 2GB RAM. Of course, the Optiplex is running Windows XP (I received the promised VISTA update but i don't dare install it!)
jmxz 06/14/07	jaybird: Not quite sure where you're finding that $50 difference. I configured these two E1505 / E1505N 's as identically as I could (both have 256MB graphics card but it's from a different vendor) and the price was the same to the dollar. http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/67913< don't mind, though; since I consider Ubuntu to be worth more than Windows.
ayeohx 06/18/07	No biggie anyways, free copy of Windows! Dual boot that sucker!
tracyanne 06/22/07	If you take advantage of the Windows version of Dell hardware being considerably cheaper than the Linux version, be sure to return the disks to Dell, preferably postage paid by Dell. They might start to take notice.
jmxz 06/22/07	tracyanne: Great idea - and note that you can probably get Dell to refund you the cost of Windows when you do this: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/66143
reg 06/22/07	@DUPLICATE OF http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/69935<
jsgarvin 07/06/07	Just did my own 1420 vs 1420N comparison. The Windows machine comes with a free upgrade to 2GB Memory and 160GB Drive, which each cost more on the Ubuntu machine. Apparently, it's harder to install memory and hard drives on Linux??? Hmmm.. no, not that I recall. Anyway, with all the same options selected between the two machines, the Ubuntu Tax apparently is now running $275. Just wait, it' won't be long before Dell pulls all the Ubuntu machines off the shelf and claims (again) that there's no market for Linux on home machines. Gee, wiz. I wonder why that is.
ulgo 07/06/07	I tryed the same a few minutes ago, and can't believe it. Dell have to change this before they start selling ubuntu/linux pc's and notebooks worldwide!
devlin 07/08/07	Interesting...... I just yesterday posted on direct2dell about the lack of promotion of the Ubuntu systems and that it seemed they were just installing Ubuntu to say "hey we tried linux but no one bought them" (oddly enough it never showed on the forum). I was just going by the fact you don't see them advertised along w/ other Dell's. I didn't realize they were playing pricing games too! Now I see why their not advertising them together, if they did that the price difference would be quite obvious there was still a MS tax on the Ubuntu systems...... Dell you are a hardware manufacture, how about selling it separate from the software. Last thing in the configuration list : Which operating system would you like pre-installed?: ___ Windows Vista home _____ Vista Premium Vista Ultimate _____XP Home ____XP Professional ____XP Media Center Edition ____Ubuntu Linux 7.04 ____ None
fing 07/08/07	Definitely... Discounts / Rebates and all other incentives should be based on the machine, not limited by the customer's choice of OS. Shame on you Dell for letting this happen....
jorge 07/08/07	@devlin: They can't list it like you state because it will highlight how much of a kickback they get for the Windows junk, instead they come up with a totally non-comparable system so its not so obvious.
djwings 07/09/07	This nonsense needs to stop . Dell needs to either lower the prices of the Ubuntu PCs or just stop selling them altogether. We're getting offers from other retailers who are considering pre-installed Linux...
the_watcher 07/09/07	Dell is completely dependent on Microsoft "benefits", as this is where a good portion of the profit comes from... Remove the Windows OS, and you remove the profit. It probably costs Dell quite a bit to sell a system with Ubuntu. So the plan is: pretend to support Linux for the publicity, drive traffic to the Windows systems, PROFIT. Someone finally figured out step #2 of that formula. http://www.devside.net/blog/
teron 07/10/07	Did my own 1420 vs. 1420N comparison. Sure enough, the Vista machine ended up costing $205 less. So. Not. Impressed. We're back in 2nd class citizen land :(
jsusanka 07/10/07	just go here http://www.system76.com and support a company that doesn't kowtow to microsoft just to stay a partner.
taiyoryu 07/10/07	Kept base specs for 1420. Upgraded color, memory, hard drive, optical drive, and battery to match for 1420N. Same specs except 1420 has 802.11n network card (not available on 1420N) 1420N = $1,159 1420 = $799 ($219 one-day-only, instant rebate) $360 price difference w/discount, $141 w/o??? I doubt the MS conspiracy theories and this is more a symptom of separate business units not coordinating pricing when they're selling almost identical SKUs. Would be better if there was only one computer model to buy and the option of Ubuntu or Windows was on one page. The ability to gray out options is already there should an option be incompatible with the OS selection. Of course, it may be necessary to educate the user the pros and cons of the OS selection but that can be added to the "Help me choose" link.
the_watcher 07/11/07	It's back to $25 difference [if you spec the colors and leave the Wireless NIC] in favor of the 1420N, but the RAM upgrade is displayed as expiring tomorrow on the N system. This fluctuates too much to be considered XX "cheaper".
richard5 07/11/07	Good we want the FREEDOM DOMINATION!!! I sustain Free Penguin http://www.freepenguin.it/index-en.html
jonsmirl 07/12/07	I'm ordering a Dimension 9200 today. $400 cheaper than anything I can get with Ubuntu preloaded. Another copy of Vista for the trash can.
jmxz 07/12/07	jonsmirl: Don't forget to make Dell refund you the cost of Vista: Here's an article with a few links describing how people get Windows refunds from Dell. Apparently the law's more on your side if you never even boot Vista - so just in case Dell says no and you need to take them to a small claims court to get your money back you probably want to document your not-even-booting Vista and not agreeing to the Vista EULA (which Dell never showed you when they sold it to http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/66143
expatinasia 07/16/07	" I would like to see Dell get rid of unsensical discounts " I'd settle for the elimination of unsensical posts.
zuzuzu 07/19/07	WE WANT IT!! WE WILL BUY YOUR PCS BUT LISTEN US! supported by Free Penguin - Free as in http://www.freepenguin.it/index-en.html
dell_admin1 07/20/07	Changed status to IMPLEMENTED.
reg 08/07/07	cool
mickdev 08/13/07	Just checked Dell's UK prices this morning and vista home basic is slightly cheaper than the same spec notebook with Ubuntu. Inspiron 6400(N08645) £398.99 (vista home basic) and Inspiron 6400n(N08645L) £405.37 (ubuntu). I guess I need to wait for Dell to adjust their prices for Ubuntu.
jmxz 08/13/07	@mickdev: Very interesting. @dell_admin1: Based on what mickdev wrote, should the status here be changed back to "UN-IMPLEMENTED*"
ubondell 08/18/07	Get rid of that Implemented tag. Pick any pair of PCs where Dell offers a non-Windows model and compare the price for an identically configured one with Windows (of course with whatever is the cheapest Windows version that is offered). When you get to the bottom line the price for the Windows PC will be about $200 less. Today's example is from the Latitude small business line, US web site: D520 vs D520N. The D520 comes with Windows XP Pro/SP2 or Windows Vista Business. The D520N comes with the "FreeDOS Operating System Kit", but in my case it would be a Ubuntu Linux self install. Configure both with: T7200/2GHZ/4MBL2/667MHZFSB processor SXGA+ 15" display 2GB/2DIMM RAM 120GB/5400RPM HDD 8xDVD+-RW Intel3945 wireless BT350 bluetooth 6cell battery The result is that the one with Windows is $1387 and the one without (i.e the 'kit' OS) is $1575! Can someone at Dell, other than the Dell_Admin folk, explain why this continues to happen? The only solution it to dissolve the separate but unequal OpenSystems/Linux pages and just put a choice on the main page for Ubuntu Linux, FreeDOS, and any versions of Windows that you wish.
ulgo 08/21/07	I tryed to check the prices/discounts here in Germany. Here is the result: This is the Linux/Ubuntu System: PROZESSOR N-Serie - Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core T2080 Prozessor (1,73 GHz, 533 MHz, 1 MB L2-Cache) ändern ZUSÄTZLICHE SOFTWARE Ubuntu Edition, Version 7.04 ändern LINUX SUPPORT No Ubuntu Support ändern HARDWARE SUPPORT 1 Jahr Basisgewährleistung - Abhol- und Reparaturservice ändern LCD 15,4-Zoll-Breitbild-TFT-Display mit WXGA (1.280x800) und TrueLife™ ändern ARBEITSSPEICHER 2048 MB 533 MHz Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2 x 1024] ändern FESTPLATTE SATA-Festplatte mit 160 GB (5.400 U/Min.) ändern GRAFIKKARTE N-Serie - Intel® Media Accelerator 950-Grafikk., bis zu 256MB gem. genutzter Grafikspeicher ändern OPTISCHE LAUFWERKE Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive for N-Series ändern HAUPTAKKU Lithium-Ionen-Akku mit 6 Zellen und 53 Wh ändern DISKETTEN-/MEDIENLAUFWERKE Ohne Diskettenlaufwerk ändern TASTATUR Interne Tastatur - Deutsch (QWERTZ) ändern Zubehör WIRELESS-NETZWERKVERBINDUNG Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini PCI-Karte für Core Duo-Prozessoren ändern TASCHEN Keine Tragetasche ändern Im Lieferumfang Ihres Systems enthalten BETRIEBSSYSTEM No OS SKU - Linux Ubuntu Selected Gedis-Pakete Inspiron 6400 Linux (N08645L) Bestellinformationen Inspiron-Bestellung - Deutschland Lieferdokumente N-Serie - Deutsche Dokumentation mit Netzkabel für Europa Modem 56.6k V.92-fähiges internes Modem und Adapter Standard-Support 1 Jahr Basisgewährleistung - Abhol- und Reparaturservice Dell Internet-Aktionen Dell Internet-Auftrag. AUDIO-SOFTWARE No Sound Blaster®Audigy®Audio Software Option SYSTEMMEDIEN Ressourcen-CD N-Serie - enthält Diagnoseprogramme und Treiber Netzteil 65-Watt-Netzteil FARBAUSWAHL Monitorrückwand ohne QuickSnap® MICROSOFT-SOFTWARE Ohne Anwendungssoftware Price is 776,24 € And this is the Windows Vista Version: Komponenten PROZESSOR Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core T2080 Prozessor (1,73 GHz, 533 MHz, 1 MB L2-Cache) ändern BETRIEBSSYSTEM Original Windows Vista® Home Premium ändern HARDWARE SUPPORT 1 Jahr Abhol- und Reparaturservice ändern LCD 15,4-Zoll-Breitbild-TFT-Display mit WXGA (1.280x800) und TrueLife™ ändern ARBEITSSPEICHER 2048 MB 533 MHz Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2 x 1024] ändern FESTPLATTE SATA-Festplatte mit 160 GB (5.400 U/Min.) ändern GRAFIKKARTE Intel® Media Accelerator 950-Grafikkarte mit bis zu 256 MB gemeinsam genutztem Grafikspeicher ändern OPTISCHE LAUFWERKE Internes 8x-DVD+/-RW-Laufwerk mit Software ändern HAUPTAKKU Lithium-Ionen-Akku mit 6 Zellen und 53 Wh ändern DISKETTEN-/MEDIENLAUFWERKE Ohne Diskettenlaufwerk ändern TASTATUR Interne Tastatur - Deutsch (QWERTZ) ändern Zubehör WIRELESS-NETZWERKVERBINDUNG Dell™ Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini PCI-Karte (für Dual-Core-Prozessoren) ändern FARBAUSWAHL Monitorrückwand ohne QuickSnap® ändern TASCHEN Keine Tragetasche ändern SICHERHEITSLÖSUNG Ohne Sicherheit/Virenschutz - Deutsch ändern MICROSOFT-SOFTWARE Microsoft® Works 8.5 - Deutsch ändern UNFALLVERSICHERUNG Kein Support bei Unfallschäden ändern Im Lieferumfang Ihres Systems enthalten Produktname und Code Inspiron 6400 Silver (N08646) Information zur Bestellung Inspiron-Bestellung - Deutschland Systemdokumentation Deutsche Dokumentation mit Netzkabel für Europa Modem 56.6k V.92-fähiges internes Modem und Adapter Standardgarantie 1 Jahr - Abhol- und Reparaturservice Rabatte 30 € Sparvorteil S&P Flyer DE BSD Inspiron/Dimension-Flyer Dell Internetbestellung Dell Internet-Auftrag. SYSTEMMEDIEN Ressourcen-DVD - (Diagnoseprogramme und Treiber) Netzteil 65-Watt-Netzteil Price 718,99 € Hope that anybody could tell me the reason for the difference! OK maybe you have to give people over 50 Euro's to force them to use Vista :).
jmxz 08/21/07	@dell_admin1: While this may have been momentarily been implemented; it seems like Dell went away from this Idea again (read comments above for examples). Could you please update the status to "Partially Implemented" or "Not Likely", whichever is more honest.
kjano 08/24/07	this is really crazy!
guyincognito 08/24/07	DELL - this is pretty shoddy. Please amend either the status of this page, or sort out your pricing! I'm surprised this isn't up on Slashdot yet...
wayfarer 08/25/07	Perhaps you should stop yelling at them and just wait a moment. Kindly ask for an update, and see what is going on.
weistrass 08/27/07	We want it!!!! Carl Segnaled by Free Penguin http://www.freepenguin.it/index-en.html
davmcn 08/27/07	yah seriously....
winoffice 08/29/07	Probably because Dell offers discounts only on specific bundles. For example, during its annual summer 10 Days of Deals, you can get the deal only if you buy a specific bundle. You can upgrade your processor, OS etc., but cannot "downgrade" them.
winoffice 08/29/07	jmxz, something tells me that it is NOT LIKELY or NOT NOW. It could be PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED, but then, Dell will probably never completely implement it.
dell_admin1 08/31/07	Changed status to PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED.
jervis961 08/31/07	IMPLIMENTED changed to PARTIALLY IMPLIMENTED??? What does that mean?
jmxz 08/31/07	@jervis961: It was implemented - but future changes seem to mean it's now only implemented on some systems (or some geographical regions).
jorge 08/31/07	Its not actually implemented nor will it.
jmxz 08/31/07	@jorge: I think most all Ideas on IdeaStorm are "partially implemented". The "Don't overcharge for Notebook RAM" Idea? - IMPLEMENTED on desktops. The "No McAfee" Idea - IMPLEMENTED on n-series. The "Safe Environment for Kids" Idea - IMPLEMENTED on No-OS models. The "Full Specs" Idea - IMPLEMENTED on their old 286's from the 1980s. Perhaps we need to post an Idea that they should label all ideas "Partially Implemented" since by some twisting of logic they probably are.
jorge 08/31/07	@jmxz: Most? None! Nothing has been implemented even partially, its been a total waste of time. I have officially stopped recommending Dell for my consulting, I build them now, I can customize per customer now and offer what they want. I figure if Mikey can do it why not me, I just have to keep track of product serial numbers and warrantte info, in case they go belly up. Still deciding on the corporate end of things.
jmxz 08/31/07	@jorge: "Nothing has been implemented even partially, " Surely the examples I gave count, don't they? Dell does not include McAfee with FreeDOS. @jorge: "I just have to keep track of product serial numbers and warrantte info". But only as well as Dell does. :-) Best of luck with your consulting. The last company I'm familiar with that seems to have pulled this off successfully is rackable. Seems focusing on a niche that your customers need is one way to make this work.
jorge 08/31/07	@jmxz: Although funny those don't count, hopefully they don't count for you either. Their lack of keeping their word has really put a bad taste in people and idea of keeping them, they have backed out of every thing so I think its time for us to do the same.
jorge 08/31/07	Good links by the way.

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