Put XPSes into the Linux Pool

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Put XPSes into the Linux Pool

380 points posted to Linux by jeverettk Jan 31 **REVIEWED**

Linux users aren't a bunch of cheap-o's looking for the next cheapest thing.

Until the driver questions, component manufacturer partnerships, and commercial licensing contractual obligations are worked out so that you can provide Linux as an option for every PC, at least show Linux users that you mean business by offering the kind of high performance systems we're used to building ourselves.

I ought to see a Dell Linux Media Center XPS on your Linux page right now. Why not?

Please see matt_d's comment

matt_d Feb 1	jeverettk, I presume you mean XPS Desktop units, because we already sell the XPS M1330 notebook with Ubuntu.
zanlok Feb 1	I really am not not sure if this will sell. If I am buying a 720, I want it for games.. are those titles going to work on Ubuntu? And, furthermore, if I am buying a $3,000+ 720, I probably have plenty of money to afford the $200 OS.
kenjennings Feb 1	I bought a Precision M90 for running Linux. I'd buy an XPS if I were mostly interested in games or multimedia.
jmxz Feb 1	@zanlok: I'm still in the market for a high-end Linux workstation. Something quiet (it'll be in my home office); with large disk capacity (room for 4 drives); and 4 CPU cores. I couldn't care less if it runs games. Care much more about how well it runs Oracle and some stats packages. I also couldn't care much if it's branded as a XPS or a Precision or a Vostro, so long as it's reasonably quiet and meets those other criteria.
zanlok Feb 1	I'd say target that idea for Precision. But I definitely see your point. My at-home dev servers are similar. It's just not often that one of them gets a Linux image.
matt_d Feb 1	@jmxz: Precision Workstation T7400 n-series is your friend. Go look.
jmxz Feb 1	@matt_d: Very nice! Could you guys please put a link to that on http://www.dell.com/open and/or http://www.dell.com/linux (where your 'linux on the desktop' link shows the ubuntu ones, but not these). I think I'm must be in the top 1% of hard-core Desktop-Dell-Linux fans; and while I recall you had red hat workstations; it escaped me when I was looking to upgrade my home office (though honestly I haven't been looking that hard yet). PS: Yes, it's lame of me that I didn't look in the small business section. Also interesting that I get pretty different prices if my home office is a large business or a small business. At first glance, it seems the same configuration comes out to: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&o... $2398 http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=555&l=en&oc=MLB132... $2848 (No big deal, tho - seems the T3400n'll probably meet my needs; and seems a tiny bit quieter. Looks like you guys'll get a linux sale out of me this year as well) Perhaps a link to that on dell.com/open would be nice too.
jeverettk Feb 1	@Matt, thanks for the heads up. I didn't notice the laptop b/c the page didn't load properly for me and I flew right past. @zanlock, I think maybe there's a bit of disconnect here. First of all yes, most linux gamers I know are completely able to use their favorite windows games - in fact I've heard users raving about getting better performance on windows games using an emulator on linux. WINE or other emulators for gaming is pretty standard usage now. Secondly, I don't see this as replacing Dell's current options, but rather stretching the performance line to include a whole new set of users - users who currently feel like they are going to be stuck being MOR users on an MOR desktop from HP. Third, don't discount the quiet horde of current Linux users itching for their favorite OS to go mainstream. The fact that it hasn't tipped yet is more a testament to the weight of this market than the lack of it. A lot of snow piles up on a cornice before it breaks into an avalanche, but then it's huge. Linux WILL tip, and soon. Lastly, I can afford the $3000 XPS, but I simply prefer Linux at $2000. You see you can't just factor in the cost of the OS in the profit/value equation. I can run comparable (and at times better) media apps and games on a Linux system with a full gig less RAM and a lesser processor with the same performance. A couple hundred less for the OS, a hundred less for the RAM, 50-150 less for the processor plus hundreds in additional applications. How much of that does Dell want to keep and how much will they pass on to the customer is up to the guys with all the market simulators and matrices. The problem is that if you look at Linux systems as a bargain product and you test your market with bargain basement offerings, then you are missing your market. These guys buy the same high-end barebone kits at discount wholesalers that Windows gamers buy and they trick 'em out like crazy. Then they put Linux on it and get performance windows users won't see until the next generation of hardware. Does that mean they'd rather re-invent the wheel and do the whole thing themselves if someone's already packaged exactly what they want? Come on, open source is all about letting someone else do the work so you can play.
jeverettk Feb 1	But you have to do the work up to the best standards.
zanlok Feb 2	XPS-L for linux. right. fine. if Dell can make money on it. but $1000 cheaper? firstly, not once have I bought the line about better performance or less power utilization. when I lock down and optimize my XP pro, I guarantee it is comparable to any Linux performance. secondly, regarding in-game performance. the games are going to strain every drop out of the system, no matter the OS. so, you're still going to need all of the hardware, not less in consideration of your free OS. third, I think they are hitting the sweet spot in the market fine. not that I particularly like the "enthusiast" labelings, and I do think that they can expand it further in the up direction, but I really do think that when the cost of Windows (even the ungodly $ for Ultimate) is only 5-10% of the high-end systems, it just doesn't matter that much. remember, most people prefer Windows. yes, I'll concede that this is partly because they don't know any better, but it is still just the way things are. finally, thanks for the stimulating dialogue. you've filled out the thinking behind your idea quite well :)
maverickcruise Feb 19	It already is if you did not know... the 1330 is offered with Linux, check the canonical website.
jackie_c May 29	Changed status to REVIEWED.
sgbirch Jul 9	I have been looking for a several high-end machines for some time now., every few months I go back to the Dell web site but invariably give up and stick with our existing computers. Our machines are our lives (business) so money is not a huge concern, but we want high end machines witth dual 24 inch monitors. I need to be sure that the machines can run Ubuntu Linux out of the box, I dont want to burn time configuring the machines. Why Dell ... WHY do you make it so difficult to buy such a thing. Steve

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