On the models available, all hardware options should be available to Ubuntu users.

How IdeaStorm Works:

Linux Comments | Linux Ideas | Sales Strategies Comments | Sales Strategies Ideas

260

On the models available, all hardware options should be available to Ubuntu users.

260 points posted to Linux, Sales Strategies by kulpret 08/31/07

I am a more advanced user of Ubuntu Linux. I can get the propietary NVidia driver running, the webcam running and the Bluetooth working. Please don't prevent me the opportunity to ship me a 1420N with these additional hardware choices. I want only the best possible for my laptop. That means 4GB ram, fastest hard drive, processor, and graphics card. I can get the other peripherals working on my own. For the sake of the less advanced Ubuntu users, you could put a disclaimer that indicates limited or no functionality will be available with these peripherals unless you know how to install additional drivers (restricted) in Ubuntu Linux.

One alternative is to work with Canonical and the Ubuntu community to have these drivers pre-installed, and thus you can get the extra revenue out of a growing market segment that wants a top of the line Dell, Ubuntu laptop.

I also wouldn't mind the option to buy any of your computers (XPS laptops) with Ubuntu installed. I currently trash any windows software or license I receive.

Thanks,
Jon

exul182 09/01/07	I believe it would be asking too much from you to make some scripts and make them public for the rookie Ubuntu users out there..such as myself...I wanted to learn this OS but unfortunately my graphics card was not compatible with Kubuntu 6.10...and it was infinitely more difficult to learn the OS by using only the console... Dell is probably working on compatibility issues at the moment and that is why they are not selling more advanced parts on those machines (not being completely safe...they dont want people to whine about it if anything happens). For an experienced user such as yourself...a simple solution would be buying a laptop with Windows on it and the switching to Ubuntu (although u will lose the money spent on the license or you can just resell the license afterwards...but its an extra effort on your side...)
kulpret 09/01/07	See that's the problem. I would prefer to vote with my wallet for Ubuntu. I have already been trashing windows licenses for Linux for years. Very rarely do complete oem computers come without an OS. The other alternative for me was to piece a computer together and then build the OS. I suppose you can do that with Laptops now, however I would prefer to let the Dells of the world know I prefer this platform with Linux by buying it from them when offered. A little bit more of a flexible offer from Dell, and they have me sold. I am in the market for a new laptop before the end of this year. As for scripts there are some great scripts out there already. Envy comes to mind for graphics. Along with even better and thorough walk-throughs on how to do just about anything on ubuntuforums.org. I check in there occasionally, and they routinely skin whatever cat you can imagine. I have already seen a few great walk-throughs on how to do A or B with the current Dell offerings. By the way, I'm a faithful Kubuntu user myself. Kubuntu 7.04 on a Dell Latitude d600 with Beryl running currently.
exul182 09/01/07	There should be a freeOS option for anything out there...I don't know why they shove windows on every PC...I've been meaning to learn Linux about an year ago..Kubuntu caught my eye with the really nice KDE interface...but had too many compatibility issues...so i gave up..I am also on the market for a new laptop and am thinking about the Vostro since it is much cheaper than the Inspiron and being in college I don't really need everything the Latitude has to offer... This being said ... I am considering getting the integrated graphics because I know for sure I wont have any issues with it while running Kubuntu or other Linux OS, also I will opt for more Intel devices (wireless etc) for the same reason (being more widely used). My current config will let me short of 1150$ with t7300 and 2gb Ram 120gb hard-drive (I am considering the Geforce 8400 since you mentioned it can be fixed). I really want to give up Windows, but I don't know if I can manage on Linux alone....I'll give it a try though..
kulpret 09/04/07	I have been using this laptop with some version of Linux for the last 3 years or so. It has served me well, but I am ready to upgrade to the latest and greatest. I was able to ditch Windows and Office completely, however, it will take a little digging to find alternatives (which there are many) that satisfy your specific needs. Firefox is a no-brainer, open office a no-brainer. Moving on to other applications, vector graphics, page layout and bitmap graphics have a healthy list of alternatives. I really love K3B one of the most intuitive and perfectly functional CD Burning applications available. Possibly showing the value of open source more so than any other single application. If you look at all the competition out there for CD and DVD recording software, and then you just spend a few minutes with this app and find out, it just works beautifully. Multi media used to be a bane of Linux and open source, but you will find that playing all of your favorite media types with your favorite distribution is a trivial process. The lone frontier for linux on the desktop appears to be games, but as adoption rates continue, there will be more cross - platform development. With OS X and linux gaining market share, savvy game developers will open up even further as they become aware how to squeeze that extra little bit of market share in. If you're impatient and can't wait, there has been great work done with Cedega and Cross Over Office. (I play WOW and guild wars all the time.) There are also some great native games such as the Quake and Doom Series along with Unreal. LInux and open source already have a couple great desktops in gnome and kde, but when you add the beauty of Compiz Fusion (formerly Beryl and Compiz, now merged) and the beautiful animations and 3d accelerated effects, you really feel like you are looking at a new millenium desktop and not some knock off of a bloated OS from 1995. HP and Lenovo now are jumping on board with linux desktop options, so I will definitely be purchasing an OEM linux laptop this year, and not purchasing a throw away M$OFT license so I can install Kubuntu anyhow. Good luck with your upcoming purchase exul182. Remember you can jump right on ubuntuforums.org or #ubuntu #kubuntu on IRC (use any freenode server). Remember that Google is your friend when it comes to problems. Your top hit when worded correctly is a relevant answer 9 times out of 10.
exul182 09/05/07	Thanks for the help...I ordered my Kubuntu 7.04 CD couple of days ago...so it will be here by the time I'll purchase the laptop. I think I'll buy one with a Windows license for the simple reason than my dad needs a new one, and I'll install Kubuntu afterwards. P.S. : what do you mean by no-brainer?...(I am not a native speaker of English..but close to one.. )
howlingmadhowie 09/05/07	this is remarkable. i assume there are hundreds of thousands of people doing this. people giving 50 or 100 dollars to microsoft for something they do not want and will not use. basically the computer comes with the software and the first thing these people do (me included) is delete the software. there. just wasted 50-100 dollars. well great. there should be much more of an outcry about this and dell should be ashamed. exul182: to the best of my knowledge, no-brainer in english means "so obvious that no one should have to use their brains to decide".
kulpret 09/10/07	exul182. If you put that same copy of kubuntu on your dad's computer, you could still manage to avoid the windows tax. Once installed, your dad will have no more of a hard time running kubuntu (i find for old windows users to make desktop icons double-click and place the most common apps on the desktop) than he would vista, in fact probably a much easier time. The great thing about linux, is you are not breaking the EULA by placing it on as many systems as you like. No-Brainer does indeed mean completely obvious or 'so obvious that no one should have to use their brains to decide." Cheers

track comments for this idea

Please log in to post a comment

recently demoted by:

Status

IdeaStorm Team

Meet the Team!

How IdeaStorm Works:

Categories

Status

IdeaStorm Team