First off, I should say that I like Dell computers. I’ve owned three Dell desktops and one Dell laptop. All have been of high quality and unlike some people, I actually think their customer service is very good. But recently I went to purchase a new desktop PC on which I am going to install ubuntu and saw some grim facts.
When you first select the option for an open source PC you have to decide if you want ubuntu pre-installed or FreeDOS:
Since I am a passionate advocate of Linux (and open source software in general) my original plan was to just purchase an open source Dell computer with ubuntu already installed on it since I don’t know DOS. I had a little money set aside for this purchase so I went ahead and selected the highest upgrade possible on most of the components. Notably, I did not select any kind of extended warranties because we all know they’re a waste of money. I also didn’t select a speaker set as I already have a nice set of speakers. The resulting configuration is pictured below. Note the processor and the hard disk size in particular.
I was a little confused that the best processor offered for the ubuntu option had only 1MB L2 cache, 1.8GHz clock speed and 800 front side bus. I was also hoping to get a bigger hard disk than 320GB. Out of sheer curiosity I went back a few screens and instead of selecting the ubuntu option I selected FreeDOS. Just as I did with the ubuntu PC I upgraded all the same components to the best they could go. Here is the resulting configuration:
Seems that with FreeDOS I could get a processor with a (relatively) whopping 4MB L2 cache, 2.33GHz clock speed and 1333 front side bus. I could also get a significantly larger hard disk of 500GB. These improvements would cost a mere $170 extra, not bad.
Now, there were some other differences between the setups so we’re not really comparing apples to apples. For example, the ubuntu PC had an option for a firewire port (IEEE adapter) whereas the FreeDOS option did not. But then, the FreeDOS had an option for a dial-up modem which the ubuntu PC did not have. Other than that the systems were almost identical. They have the same capacity for an nVidia GeForce 8600-DDR3 256MB video card which is respectable for a non-gaming PC and consequently one of the more important factors to consider when using ubuntu since ATI graphics cards are notorious for having problems with ubuntu.
Still, the trend is clear, Dell offers FreeDOS PCs better hardware upgrade options. In the end I opted for the FreeDOS computer simply because it comes with beefier hardware. I can install ubuntu by myself; I actually prefer it that way.
However, I wonder why Dell chose to go this route with their open source PCs? Why offer better hardware to FreeDOS customers but slight ubuntu customers? Does Dell not think ubuntu users put much demand on their systems? Or are they just selling ubuntu for the PR? It makes me wonder.
8 Comments
May be irrelevant , but in regards to Dell, the company that I work for just started a project with Dell for a new line of laptops. Featuring leather cases
The leather will be supplied by us.
So working with Dell these last few weeks, I’ve learned that their desktop sales are down and their laptop sales are way up. So they are devoting more attention to their notebooks. In fact even cutting back in their desktop department, for example I know of a work force of 90,000 workers in Austin, TX. some 9,000 employees were laid off
Disclosure: My employer is Dell-only
Warranties are highly recommended – length is your call. In addition, there’s an extended care option on laptops (at least for business) because they don’t cover displays.
Can’t tell you why this happened but it’s obviously configured that way for a reason. I suspect that some of the web people at Dell have more interesting pharmaceuticals than others but that’s just me.
I give Dell a lot of credit for leading the field. Keep making noise; they do listen. It’s very early.
Happy linux-ing.
I give them a lot of credit too. It’s a real sign of progress that they even have an open source option. I just wish they would allow you to configure a more robust system without having to opt for Windows.
I couldn’t find a PC on dell.ca that offered Ubuntu as an option, so I asked their live support, and got the link, and was able to get a beefier system than the dos one you could build, Ben.
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6550 (4MB L2 Cache,2.33GHz,1333 FSB)
Ubuntu Linux version 7.10 with DVD Playback
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
750GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
OK, so now that I look at the site, it is pretty easy to figure out where to go, but I expected to see it as an option alongside Vista, not as a tiny little link on the left hand side of the desktop homepage.
@mike: interesting trends (though not surprising). I think that the desktop is somewhat under appreciated in today’s market. I’m personally still a huge fan of the desktop. I’ve got two home built PC’s…one running Vista and the other dual boot Linux (Edubuntu)/XP (I’m on the Linux half right now). I love having lots of power, a big screen and full size keyboard for much less money than a comparably equipped laptop. I guess I just haven’t had a compelling reason to get a laptop, except perhaps so I can take it on vacation or surf the web from my living room or bed (j/k…they’re good for way more than that!). I am actually planning on getting one of the 2nd generation Asus EeePC’s (cheap + ultra portable = what a laptop ought to be).
@Chris: you suck. I wish I could have gotten the 750GB drive! Dang! Well, 500GB is plenty for me anyway.
@Scott: I’m with you man. I don’t have much use for a laptop as most of my computer use is with web design so the more power, the mouse and the big screen is invaluable to me. I’d love to get one of those EeePCs too, that’s really nice, and I especially love the fact that it’s Linux
I have two desktops, one on my desk at work running XP another at my apartment dual boot ubuntu/XP. Yet I spend more time on my Macbook pro than both of my desktops combined. I like the idea of being mobile, I can shut the lid of my laptop, go to the office, open the lid back up and start up right where I left off. I know theres ways I can accomplish the same thing on two desktops, especially since those are my only two primary locations (work and home).
..god that is pretty pathetic.
I just like the convenience of a laptop, to be honest my entire life is pretty much on it, so I’m much more comfortable as long as it’s with me at all times