Linux laptops now for sale at Dell starting at $599

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey

Originally posted by: hasu
One solution might be an Open Enterprise driven by college students (EE or CS or anybody who is interested) across the country (or even the world), who can assemble a PC with Linux or install Linux on an existing machine at competitive prices in their city. They can tie up with large on-line vendors like Newegg to provide Linux friendly hardware at competitive price. Such a public enterprise can certainly provide better customer service than any other PC manufacturers. Consumers would get support right in their city.

People are showing more and more that they don't care about local, personalized service. They go for the highly advertised bottom-dollar impersonal corprorate treatment, and in droves. A local operation is cute, but it's not going to completely change the way our society works.

I used to support our local PC shop, until he tried to convince me that there is no such thing as a USB-to-PS/2 converter. I told him he was wrong but I didn't argue, I just ordered it off Newegg. I didn't want to wait on it for that occasion, but oh well.

( and just in case anyone else thinks they don't exist: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822998006 )

 

[Googer]

http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...410n-desktop-reviewed/

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

It's funny that in some instances, the Windows installation is the same price or cheaper.

It's only funny once you realize that they're making up the price difference by filling up the Windows install with tons of crapware and since there is none for Linux (yet) they can't do the same thing there.

What crapware do you mean? Everything on the site is opt-in. The only thing that really defaults that you have to opt out of is the antivirus.

Why not get the windows version and download linux for yourself?

Because you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment in it.

So you would say pay $225 and wait 3 days because "you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment" rather than just get the Vista machine and put your own OS on it?

Dell is also doing a 3 day shipping delay for Ubuntu, charging $275 for 1 year standard support that they offer free for Vista. Opt not to get the support option? You're just telling Dell to "please put crapware on the machine so you can actually have a profit margin"

It's good to see competition out there but face it guys, Dell is screwing you. They are putting an OS on the box for free and not passing any savings on to you.


Ubuntu:
XPS 410 N
Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor E6320 (4MB L2 cache,1.86GHz,1066FSB)
Ubuntu Desktop Edition version 7.04 with 1 year of Std Support
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day

Total $994
Ships 6/12/2007

----

Vista:
XPS 410
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6320 (1.86GHz,1066FSB) with 4MB cache
Genuine Windows Vista? Home Premium
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day (note: This includes the OS)

(note...options available on the Vista box but not the Ubuntu: choice of 4 graphics cards, physics card, ~10 hard drives, raid solutions, 2 sound cards, TV tuner w/ remote, 5 gaming keyboards, 4 gaming mice, 8 game controllers, 4 webcams, ieee1394, 8 game packages, 8 productivity packs..quickboocks, photoshop etc)

Total $769
Ships 6/8/2007

 

[Nothinman]

What crapware do you mean? Everything on the site is opt-in. The only thing that really defaults that you have to opt out of is the antivirus.

It's been quite a while since I've owned a Dell so maybe that's changed.

So you would say pay $225 and wait 3 days because "you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment" rather than just get the Vista machine and put your own OS on it?

I'd wait a few days sure, but not pay $225 extra. The price differences I've seen quoted elsewhere were around like $40.

 

[Genx87]

Wow 225 bucks for a years worth of support? Now that is funny!

Anyways, beeing trying out Ubuntu in a virtual machine on my desktop here at work. Not bad, not bad at all. Problem is, i dont see where I can fit this in the organization. And the native mail client deleted msg's off my pop account even when i specifically told it not to. So I have a local copy with about 300 emails in it that I have no idea how to export to a file that I can import into Outlook.

 

[Nothinman]

(note...options available on the Vista box but not the Ubuntu: choice of 4 graphics cards, physics card, ~10 hard drives, raid solutions, 2 sound cards, TV tuner w/ remote, 5 gaming keyboards, 4 gaming mice, 8 game controllers, 4 webcams, ieee1394, 8 game packages, 8 productivity packs..quickboocks, photoshop etc)

Most of that stuff doesn't make sense but I guess Dell just didn't want to waste time testing it. Not offering the Windows-only software makes sense but the hard drives, RAID controlers, keyboards, mice, game controllers maybe, webcams maybe and firewire should all work fine in Ubuntu.

Problem is, i dont see where I can fit this in the organization.

In a business you usually need a good business case for switching because you already have volume Windows licenses so that's not really an issue.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: Nothinman

It's funny that in some instances, the Windows installation is the same price or cheaper.

It's only funny once you realize that they're making up the price difference by filling up the Windows install with tons of crapware and since there is none for Linux (yet) they can't do the same thing there.

What crapware do you mean? Everything on the site is opt-in. The only thing that really defaults that you have to opt out of is the antivirus.

Why not get the windows version and download linux for yourself?

Because you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment in it.

So you would say pay $225 and wait 3 days because "you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment" rather than just get the Vista machine and put your own OS on it?

Dell is also doing a 3 day shipping delay for Ubuntu, charging $275 for 1 year standard support that they offer free for Vista. Opt not to get the support option? You're just telling Dell to "please put crapware on the machine so you can actually have a profit margin"

It's good to see competition out there but face it guys, Dell is screwing you. They are putting an OS on the box for free and not passing any savings on to you.


Ubuntu:
XPS 410 N
Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor E6320 (4MB L2 cache,1.86GHz,1066FSB)
Ubuntu Desktop Edition version 7.04 with 1 year of Std Support
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day

Total $994
Ships 6/12/2007

----

Vista:
XPS 410
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6320 (1.86GHz,1066FSB) with 4MB cache
Genuine Windows Vista? Home Premium
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day (note: This includes the OS)

(note...options available on the Vista box but not the Ubuntu: choice of 4 graphics cards, physics card, ~10 hard drives, raid solutions, 2 sound cards, TV tuner w/ remote, 5 gaming keyboards, 4 gaming mice, 8 game controllers, 4 webcams, ieee1394, 8 game packages, 8 productivity packs..quickboocks, photoshop etc)

Total $769
Ships 6/8/2007

I don't know about you but I'll take Win-Crapware for 250 Alex... and get the OS for free.



And the available raid, video, Free Win License (virtually free), and numerous options that the linux machine does not have. The Dell Linux machine is a looser. However, Linux OS is a winner.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Dell doesn't even give you a real windows cd, do they? I thought they just give you a "factory restore" disk or whatever.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey
Dell doesn't even give you a real windows cd, do they? I thought they just give you a "factory restore" disk or whatever.

Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Wow 225 bucks for a years worth of support? Now that is funny!

Anyways, beeing trying out Ubuntu in a virtual machine on my desktop here at work. Not bad, not bad at all. Problem is, i dont see where I can fit this in the organization. And the native mail client deleted msg's off my pop account even when i specifically told it not to. So I have a local copy with about 300 emails in it that I have no idea how to export to a file that I can import into Outlook.

Well trained people working in the US are not cheap, I don't think they're using the Windows 50 cents an hour people from India or where ever to support it.

 

[drag]

There are a few community-lead projects here and there for Linux adoption.

There was one place I saw in a video documentary were they did PC recycling. People would take in their old computers to get them recycled.

While the computers were there the people started a program were if you wanted a free PC you could go their recycling center and you would be taught on basic PC hardware and how to learn to assemble computers and install OSes.

Once you learned how to build the computer then the first computer you built would be yours to keep. Then if you liked it you could volenteer to keep building computers and help out with training.

Of course they used Linux. This was obviously aimed at ultra-low income people so Linux offers considurable value over Windows, especially for older machines.

 

[drag]

Anyways, beeing trying out Ubuntu in a virtual machine on my desktop here at work. Not bad, not bad at all. Problem is, i dont see where I can fit this in the organization. And the native mail client deleted msg's off my pop account even when i specifically told it not to. So I have a local copy with about 300 emails in it that I have no idea how to export to a file that I can import into Outlook.

I don't know which application that your using, but most Linux email clients support exporting their contents to mbox format.

With thunderbird they offer a veriaty of export features. There is a 'export to mbox' extension for that which you can use.

With Evolution your emails are stored in ~/.evolution/mail/local/<foldername>

With just one folder, the Inbox then you can just copy ~/.evolution/mail/local/Inbox to were ever is convient.


Alternatively you can open up your evolution mail client, select all the emails, right click and select 'save as'. The resulting file can be imported by most email clients.

Having a plain text format that just contains emails is called 'mbox' format. It's the standard for email since the beginning.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Originally posted by: drag
There are a few community-lead projects here and there for Linux adoption.

There was one place I saw in a video documentary were they did PC recycling. People would take in their old computers to get them recycled.

While the computers were there the people started a program were if you wanted a free PC you could go their recycling center and you would be taught on basic PC hardware and how to learn to assemble computers and install OSes.

Once you learned how to build the computer then the first computer you built would be yours to keep. Then if you liked it you could volenteer to keep building computers and help out with training.

Of course they used Linux. This was obviously aimed at ultra-low income people so Linux offers considurable value over Windows, especially for older machines.

Sounds like Free Geek, which is a local place here in Portland. Pretty cool place, and they host local user group meetings too (I think php, ruby, and perl UGs all meet there. We're just now getting the python group back up and running).

 

[jazzboy]

I am the sort of person who would buy a Ubuntu Dell box. It's a great operating system, but only if your hardware works out of the box-which isn't the case for any of my computers. And if it doesn't work, the instructions to get it working are extremely complicated - enough for me to think "ah heck this, I'm going back to Windows". In fact there's no excuse for it all really. It's now 2007 and I can't believe it can still be that difficult for someone (the Ubuntu team, perhaps?) to have an online driver system which automatically detects your hardware and installs the appropriate drivers - like the application manager.

Anyway, good on Dell for offering this.

 

[Nothinman]

In fact there's no excuse for it all really. It's now 2007 and I can't believe it can still be that difficult for someone (the Ubuntu team, perhaps?) to have an online driver system which automatically detects your hardware and installs the appropriate drivers - like the application manager.

The excuse is that there is no driver or there's multiple drivers to choose from and picking a good default for everyone is impossible. The former is mostly a problem with odd hardware and in the recent past with Broadcom wifi crap. The latter is mostly an issue with video cards because the neither nVidia or ATI can/will release open source drivers or hardware specs so you have the free, but sometimes less functional, driver and the non-free and morally/legally questionable driver to choose from.

It's not a great excuse but it's hardly Ubuntu's, or any Linux developer's, fault if the hardware people won't play nice.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: drag

Anyways, beeing trying out Ubuntu in a virtual machine on my desktop here at work. Not bad, not bad at all. Problem is, i dont see where I can fit this in the organization. And the native mail client deleted msg's off my pop account even when i specifically told it not to. So I have a local copy with about 300 emails in it that I have no idea how to export to a file that I can import into Outlook.

I don't know which application that your using, but most Linux email clients support exporting their contents to mbox format.

With thunderbird they offer a veriaty of export features. There is a 'export to mbox' extension for that which you can use.

With Evolution your emails are stored in ~/.evolution/mail/local/<foldername>

With just one folder, the Inbox then you can just copy ~/.evolution/mail/local/Inbox to were ever is convient.


Alternatively you can open up your evolution mail client, select all the emails, right click and select 'save as'. The resulting file can be imported by most email clients.

Having a plain text format that just contains emails is called 'mbox' format. It's the standard for email since the beginning.

Thanks, yes it is evolution. I exported it to the desktop and looked at the contents. It looked very similar in format to the mail boxes in Eudora Light. I didnt realize mbox was a standard file structure for mailboxes. This is good to know.

 

[Smilin]

Some FYI for ya...

http://digg.com/linux_unix/Del...nty_support_for_Ubuntu

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Brazen
( and just in case anyone else thinks they don't exist: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822998006 )

I know it's OT but wow, did you see the terrible reviews on that thing?

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: Nothinman

It's funny that in some instances, the Windows installation is the same price or cheaper.

It's only funny once you realize that they're making up the price difference by filling up the Windows install with tons of crapware and since there is none for Linux (yet) they can't do the same thing there.

What crapware do you mean? Everything on the site is opt-in. The only thing that really defaults that you have to opt out of is the antivirus.

Why not get the windows version and download linux for yourself?

Because you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment in it.

So you would say pay $225 and wait 3 days because "you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment" rather than just get the Vista machine and put your own OS on it?

Dell is also doing a 3 day shipping delay for Ubuntu, charging $275 for 1 year standard support that they offer free for Vista. Opt not to get the support option? You're just telling Dell to "please put crapware on the machine so you can actually have a profit margin"

It's good to see competition out there but face it guys, Dell is screwing you. They are putting an OS on the box for free and not passing any savings on to you.


Ubuntu:
XPS 410 N
Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor E6320 (4MB L2 cache,1.86GHz,1066FSB)
Ubuntu Desktop Edition version 7.04 with 1 year of Std Support
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day

Total $994
Ships 6/12/2007

----

Vista:
XPS 410
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6320 (1.86GHz,1066FSB) with 4MB cache
Genuine Windows Vista? Home Premium
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day (note: This includes the OS)

(note...options available on the Vista box but not the Ubuntu: choice of 4 graphics cards, physics card, ~10 hard drives, raid solutions, 2 sound cards, TV tuner w/ remote, 5 gaming keyboards, 4 gaming mice, 8 game controllers, 4 webcams, ieee1394, 8 game packages, 8 productivity packs..quickboocks, photoshop etc)

Total $769
Ships 6/8/2007

I ordered a Dell e1505n with Ubuntu last week (I'll be wiping it and putting PCLinuxOS on it though). The shipping date for the exact same Windows based laptop was 6/22/07, the shipping date on mine is 6/14/07. It was like that for every Ubuntu based laptop vs Windows based one I tried.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: trmiv

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: Nothinman

It's funny that in some instances, the Windows installation is the same price or cheaper.

It's only funny once you realize that they're making up the price difference by filling up the Windows install with tons of crapware and since there is none for Linux (yet) they can't do the same thing there.

What crapware do you mean? Everything on the site is opt-in. The only thing that really defaults that you have to opt out of is the antivirus.

Why not get the windows version and download linux for yourself?

Because you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment in it.

So you would say pay $225 and wait 3 days because "you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment" rather than just get the Vista machine and put your own OS on it?

Dell is also doing a 3 day shipping delay for Ubuntu, charging $275 for 1 year standard support that they offer free for Vista. Opt not to get the support option? You're just telling Dell to "please put crapware on the machine so you can actually have a profit margin"

It's good to see competition out there but face it guys, Dell is screwing you. They are putting an OS on the box for free and not passing any savings on to you.


Ubuntu:
XPS 410 N
Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor E6320 (4MB L2 cache,1.86GHz,1066FSB)
Ubuntu Desktop Edition version 7.04 with 1 year of Std Support
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day

Total $994
Ships 6/12/2007

----

Vista:
XPS 410
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6320 (1.86GHz,1066FSB) with 4MB cache
Genuine Windows Vista? Home Premium
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day (note: This includes the OS)

(note...options available on the Vista box but not the Ubuntu: choice of 4 graphics cards, physics card, ~10 hard drives, raid solutions, 2 sound cards, TV tuner w/ remote, 5 gaming keyboards, 4 gaming mice, 8 game controllers, 4 webcams, ieee1394, 8 game packages, 8 productivity packs..quickboocks, photoshop etc)

Total $769
Ships 6/8/2007

I ordered a Dell e1505n with Ubuntu last week (I'll be wiping it and putting PCLinuxOS on it though). The shipping date for the exact same Windows based laptop was 6/22/07, the shipping date on mine is 6/14/07. It was like that for every Ubuntu based laptop vs Windows based one I tried.

"every ubuntu based laptop vs windows based one I tried". Dude. There's only one there.

If in all your comparison shopping (meaning that one) you found something that ships faster then good for you. The Vista 410 above ships faster but more importantly costs less more and has so many additional options available (not counting all the other entire models available) that it doesn't make a lot of sense to buy the Ubuntu. If you like Ubuntu, just get the Windows box then load whatever you want. In your case you already said you've reloaded anyway.

It's Ironic that people will pay money to support Free (beer).

 

[hasu]

If you like Ubuntu, just get the Windows box then load whatever you want

Why would one want to pay Microsoft to buy a Linux machine?! They could buy a machine with no OS installed, right? Most people who buy Dell Linux machines might do so just to show the support.

It's Ironic that people will pay money to support Free (beer).

At the same time it is important to maintain the free (freedom)

 

[Schadenfroh]

Maybe this will get the Ubuntu people cracking to fix the Conexant waikiki HD audio problems that my notebook is having (no sound) and develop Linux drivers for my dell color laser printer that will allow me to print in color!

The possibilities are endless....

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: trmiv

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: Nothinman

It's funny that in some instances, the Windows installation is the same price or cheaper.

It's only funny once you realize that they're making up the price difference by filling up the Windows install with tons of crapware and since there is none for Linux (yet) they can't do the same thing there.

What crapware do you mean? Everything on the site is opt-in. The only thing that really defaults that you have to opt out of is the antivirus.

Why not get the windows version and download linux for yourself?

Because you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment in it.

So you would say pay $225 and wait 3 days because "you want Dell to know that you're using Linux so they'll expand their investment" rather than just get the Vista machine and put your own OS on it?

Dell is also doing a 3 day shipping delay for Ubuntu, charging $275 for 1 year standard support that they offer free for Vista. Opt not to get the support option? You're just telling Dell to "please put crapware on the machine so you can actually have a profit margin"

It's good to see competition out there but face it guys, Dell is screwing you. They are putting an OS on the box for free and not passing any savings on to you.


Ubuntu:
XPS 410 N
Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor E6320 (4MB L2 cache,1.86GHz,1066FSB)
Ubuntu Desktop Edition version 7.04 with 1 year of Std Support
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day

Total $994
Ships 6/12/2007

----

Vista:
XPS 410
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6320 (1.86GHz,1066FSB) with 4MB cache
Genuine Windows Vista? Home Premium
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day (note: This includes the OS)

(note...options available on the Vista box but not the Ubuntu: choice of 4 graphics cards, physics card, ~10 hard drives, raid solutions, 2 sound cards, TV tuner w/ remote, 5 gaming keyboards, 4 gaming mice, 8 game controllers, 4 webcams, ieee1394, 8 game packages, 8 productivity packs..quickboocks, photoshop etc)

Total $769
Ships 6/8/2007

I ordered a Dell e1505n with Ubuntu last week (I'll be wiping it and putting PCLinuxOS on it though). The shipping date for the exact same Windows based laptop was 6/22/07, the shipping date on mine is 6/14/07. It was like that for every Ubuntu based laptop vs Windows based one I tried.

"every ubuntu based laptop vs windows based one I tried". Dude. There's only one there.

If in all your comparison shopping (meaning that one) you found something that ships faster then good for you. The Vista 410 above ships faster but more importantly costs less more and has so many additional options available (not counting all the other entire models available) that it doesn't make a lot of sense to buy the Ubuntu. If you like Ubuntu, just get the Windows box then load whatever you want. In your case you already said you've reloaded anyway.

It's Ironic that people will pay money to support Free (beer).

I meant configurations....dude. Some components delay the shipments of the laptop. I added many of the available options to mine, and it still had an earlier ship date than the same Windows based one. It didn't take much comparison shopping to find an e1505 that ships before its Windows based counterpart. I just went to the site and without and configuration changes, the Linux based e1505's are shipping one day before a Vista based e1505.

I bought the Linux based computer to show support for Dell offering Linux based computer. It was the same price as the equivalent Windows based laptop.

 

[drag]

If in all your comparison shopping (meaning that one) you found something that ships faster then good for you. The Vista 410 above ships faster but more importantly costs less more and has so many additional options available (not counting all the other entire models available) that it doesn't make a lot of sense to buy the Ubuntu. If you like Ubuntu, just get the Windows box then load whatever you want. In your case you already said you've reloaded anyway.

#1 The Ubuntu version is cheaper then the Windows version.
#2 The e1505 comes with ATI graphics, which means that's it's utter *** if you want to use Linux with it. The e1505n comes with Intel graphics by default or Nvidia graphics optional.
#3 The e1505 comes with 'Dell Wireless', which is in fact a Broadcom wireless device, which means that it's utter *** if you want to use Linux with it. The e1505n comes with Intel wifi, which is superior in most respects and runs very well with Linux.

Buying the Windows one and then sticking Ubuntu on it would be a massive mistake. Dell purposely choose hardware from Linux-friendly(-ish) manufacturers because they know what they are doing as far as that stuff goes. It's easier to go the other way.

Anyways, unless you want to run the latest games (which obviously this laptop is unsuited for in any configuration) then it's stupid to dual boot windows if your a Linux user. For most applications a VM running XP will be not-much-slower to just-as-fast as running those applications under Vista. With less compatability problems. If you have paticular applications in Windows that you must run quite often then you can use 'cohesive' technics to have the Windows applications run applications on your Linux desktop and share files between them and such things. Although for most people this isn't going to be needed.

In that case then you definately do not want Vista because unless you get the business edition or the extreme edition your not allowed to run it under a VM according to the EULA.

 

[zig3695]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
OEM licenses can't be transferred.

as long as you dont use that key on that machine and use it only on one pc at a time, microsoft will continue to activate it. they dont care so much about moving keys as they do about people using one key for more then one machine.