[-| I just realized how long this is, sorry in advance :) |-] I was just on Dell's site, I thought out of interest i'll go see what they have. While you can find Ubuntu machines by browsing, its not exactly advertised... so you will never come accross it unless you are looking for it, and unless you know what "Open-source PC's" means.
So i wonder: why bother? Here's why i think. 1. Well, no need to confuse the average user with the concept of "What do you mean it doesn't have windows?", because they wont take that option anyway. While i haven't looked into it too much, the cost difference will be almost negligable so no general users will buy it. - so far: No sales increase 2. How many Linux users would buy a one? I'm not sure i can answer this, but i imagine not too many. Most linux users like to customise their machines, and put all the latest and greatest (or cheapest and oldest) compenents into it. So they would normally buy a machine and put bits in it, and download whatever linux distro they want. Lets be fair, Dells are good for the office, but they are not particularly good, hardware- wise. - so far: No sales increase (maybe a small one?) 3. Now we look at IT department buyers. They (we?) have to buy X number of new desktops/laptops for the HR dept or Sales dept or something. We know they use windows, but we dont really care what make the computer is. Therefor we buy whatever good deal comes along from whoever it is. However, now with Dell "supporting the OSS community", how many Buyers are going to support Dell in return. Even if it is just buying Windows PC's for HR. I think a lot of "us" would go with Dell purely for that reason. - and now: Large business sales increase!! In summary, i think Dell are making a lot of money, not from the Ubuntu deal, but because of it! What do think, am i just talking rubbish? (or do i have too much time on my hands today?) -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/