Include nvidia and ati video cards in ubuntu laptops and desktops

August 2, 2007

Posted By:  laptoplinux

97 Votes

Status: Implemented

Promote

When shopping for an Ubuntu Dell, I've noticed that it is not possible to order one with a video card from ATI or NVIDIA. For some users of Linux, such as those into 3D modeling work for artistic or scientific purposes, the Intel video card option may simply not be enough. And with laptops, upgrading or changing the video card is much more of a hassle than with desktops. Therefore, why is the option to buy a laptop with an nvidia or ati card listed under a Vista machine, but not under an identical machine pre-loaded with Linux?

Unfortunately, users that require both Linux and superior 3d acceleration performance may wind up forced into buying a Vista-preloaded Dell (and subsequently tossing the Vista disc in the garbage) just so they can have a Linux box with an ati or nvidia graphics card preinstalled. In addition to adding unnecessary cost to the consumer, this scenario will also distort sales figures information regarding Vista and Ubuntu.

Please consider offering Ubuntu-preloaded Dells with the option of an nvidia and/or ati graphics card preinstalled. Thank you.

Implemented

DELL/ Status Update


Please see Vida_K's comment below

97 Votes | 20 Comments | Report Abuse

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  • Aug 22, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: zero79

    can we get the status of this idea changed back to "under review"...at least until ati cards become an ubiquitous option on the ubuntu laptops?
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  • Aug 21, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: zero79

    it's been a couple weeks now without any word on the ati option for the studio 15. i understand that it takes time to go through the quality assurance process for new hardware, but i feel like we're being left in the dark on this. can we get some kind of update on when we can expect this option to be available? also, will there be an ati option on the xps laptops as well? i would much prefer to purchase one of the xps's since the design/style is actually nice (almost comparable to the macbook pros). the studios are just so ugly (why does the wrist rest area have that ugly/feminine swirl graphic?).
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  • Aug 9, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: laptoplinux

    Thanks for the response, john_h. I appreciate what Dell has done with open source over the past year, and I hope that Dell will go further in the coming years. When I come to Dell, I am coming to buy a Dell computer. If I wanted Windows, I could by a copy off the shelf. I don't need to pay Microsoft for Windows with the purchase of a Dell if I don't intend to use Windows. I continue waiting for the day when I can buy any computer I want and know that the choice of operating system will be as trivial as the choice of hard drive or memory size. I don't want to have to choose between getting a computer with the parts that I want while paying for a Windows license that I will never use or be able to get a refund on, or getting a lesser computer without the Microsoft tax. The day an identically spec'ed Dell non-Windows-preloaded model can easily be found for each and every Dell Windows-preloaded model is the day I will never look to another OEM in my purchasing decisions again.
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  • Aug 8, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: john_h

    The ATI option on the Studio 15n with Ubuntu will be on the website soon
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  • Aug 7, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: laptoplinux

    ok. sorry for the misunderstanding. But the overall goal would be to have identical graphical options on identical machines that differ only by the preloaded OS. Both ATI and Nvidia provide binary Linux drivers, and ATI even has an open source linux driver, so I don't understand what difference the OS makes.
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  • Aug 7, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: vida_k

    @laptoplinux I considered this Implemented as NVIDIA is offered on the XPS 1330 and 1530 systems.
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  • Aug 7, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: laptoplinux

    not implemented. Why does the Studio 15 with Vista have the option to upgrade to an ati card, yet the Studio 15 with Ubuntu is stuck with the intel card as the only option?
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  • Aug 7, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: vida_k

    http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/08/07/dell-xps-1530n-and-studio-15n-now-available-with-ubuntu-8-04.aspx http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
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  • Aug 7, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: vida_k

    Changed status to **IMPLEMENTED**.
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  • Jul 20, 2008     Comment Link

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    Posted By: laptoplinux

    Well, now that 8.04 is being loaded on Dellbuntus, this idea has been at least partially implemented.

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