Dell Ubuntu Computers Flop In UK
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It appears that several Web sites are reporting that Dell’s experiment with Ubuntu-installed systems in the UK has come to an end. It seems that pricing may have been an issue. Ubuntu boxes were priced higher than their Windows counterparts. It was previously thought that the higher pricing was because Dell was not receiving any kickbacks from software manufacturers who pay to have their wares installed on Window machines.
Though Dell is remaining silent behind its reasoning for dropping Linux systems in the UK, some folks are wondering out loud if Dell will continue with its offering of Linux computers here in the US. The Linux folks were fairly vocal over at the Dell forums demanding Linux-based systems. But it came down to something that I have previously mentioned: if Dell couldn’t sell the systems, I doubted it would continue to offer Linux boxes.
But how important was it anyway for any of the OEMs to even offer Linux systems? I personally didn’t see what real difference it would make. People who are Linux users can install a distro on just about on any box they have. I know I wouldn’t personally go out and buy a Linux machine just because it had Ubuntu installed. I most likely would opt for using one of my existing systems to install Linux on.
But that is just me. What do you think? Was Dell foolish to even think that by offering Linux on its computers that sales would soar? Or was it just trying to quell the Linux crowd?
Comments welcome.
9 Comments
kyle
November 9th, 2007
at 3:47am
People who use Linux most likely will even build their own system. Not buy one pre made.
Kyle
Ron Enderland
November 9th, 2007
at 5:02am
Ubuntu boxes were priced higher than their Windows counterparts. It was previously thought that the higher pricing was because Dell was not receiving any kickbacks from software manufacturers who pay to have their wares installed on Window machines.
The idea that a PC with a free O/S costs more than one that sets you back over a hundred bucks to buy off the store shelves is INSANE.
We will never have diversity, O/S-wise, unless this type of blackmail is stopped. Microsoft may have the world by the short and curlies with arrangements like this, but sooner or later people are going to get mad. Why can’t the DOJ look into why Dell charges like this?
Ron Schenone
November 9th, 2007
at 6:00am
Hi Kyle,
Good point. Or Linux uses may be more inclined to use an older box as well.
Hello Ron Enderland,
I agree. A Linux box should cost less. Not more.
Mark Payton
November 9th, 2007
at 8:36am
Ron Enderland,
If all other things were equal, I’d agree that a free O/S box should cost less than a Windows box. However, as Ron S.’s post points out, the kickbacks from software vendors push the Windows pricing down. Quite possibly the vendor payments per unit more than offset the unit cost of Windows. If that is the case, then it does make sense.
Ron Enderland
November 9th, 2007
at 12:39pm
Mark:
You mean the crapware I have had to uninstall from friends’ computers, of course. Uninstall the various Norton, AOL, and soon-to-die-in-60-days M$ Office so I can put AVG, Spybot, Ad-Aware, and Open Office in their place.
It’s a disgusting thought that garbageware like that keeps Windows PC prices low.
I don’t have to like it, that’s for sure.
But on a positive note, since Vista made me take the Ubuntu plunge, I now have a screaming system that gives me a good feeling. Plus, I can shrug my shoulders when asked how to fix (fill in blank here) in Vista.
Russ L'Rogue
November 9th, 2007
at 1:53pm
Rather that offer Ubuntu (my personal favorite) or other OSes pre-installed, I’ve wondered why manufacturers aren’t offering OS-free systems … without the MS premium, the pricing should be pretty decent … thus allowing users to install their own choice of OS. As was mentioned, OS installation … Linux anyway … is pretty straight forward and painless these days. Or they could even offer a install the OS of your choice for a VERY minimal fee … not for the open-source OS, but for the service …
It may be … and probably is … that MS has these companies under some sort of obligatory agreement. Dunno. But a license free (as in the MS license) open-source system seems like a no-brainer …
KerryatDell
November 12th, 2007
at 10:14am
Ron - Dell UK is still offering Ubuntu. For a short time on November 6, a link on one of our pages to the Dell UK Ubuntu page was broken, this was fixed the following day.
Further info has been posted here - http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/11/07/32908.aspx
We are sorry for the churn this has caused.
Ron Schenone
November 12th, 2007
at 10:26am
Hello KerryatDell,
Thanks so much for the information and the link. I am glad Dell hasn’t given up on Ubuntu.
Regards, Ron
linuxiac
November 26th, 2007
at 7:28am
At issue, for Americans who don’t know, is that all things technical, and manufactured elsewhere, are offered for the same numerical prices, straight across to British Pounds!
So, the computer for $1,100 in the USA is 1,100 British Pounds in the UK, almost double in price after the addition of the VAT!
Dell UK sets their own prices. It seems that most companies do, and maximize their profits at a huge cost to the consumer!
Vista Home might sell for $239 in the USA, but is is more like $439 in the UK, according to the comments I see on the Newsgroups!
GNU/Linux is very popular in the UK and elsewhere in the EU, to make older systems really perform, saving money, and the environment!
Microsoft executives have testified under oath and stated in SEC Quarterly Filings that Linux is above 17% of market share for users, with growth over 3% per annum in new users.
Vista growth is at 1% per annum, (cite: SEC filings) most being replacements for older systems, much of which is snatched up for re-use with GNU/Linux installs. http://vixta.org is one such and ~300 more are free at http://livecdlist.com for download.
Mepis is Ubuntu on steroids… I much prefer it, over edubuntu, for all the 2nd graders, on donated 700Mhz/256MB Dells, Gateways, HP/Compaqs.