Dell XPS 1530n and Studio 15n Now Available with Ubuntu 8.04

[unni]

Today is the day. For customers in the United States who interested in compelling notebooks with 15.4” Hi-def widescreen displays the Dell XPS M1530n and Studio 15n notebooks are now available with Ubuntu 8.04 factory installed. US customers can check out these systems and more at www.dell.com/ubuntu (or click on the Ubuntu image below).
Thanks again to the Linux community for the continued support (and purchase) of Dell systems with Linux pre-installed. Your interest and direct feedback enables better solutions on a broader array of platforms. Hope to see you at LinuxWorld!

Source: http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archi...commentmessage

From Dell's site:

What Is Open Source?

Open source software is designed in a way that lets multiple people change, improve and redistribute the source code, meaning the software is generally community developed and available for free.
An advantage of open source is that it can deliver more reliability and flexibility, as well as faster updates and fixes, all at a lower cost. Plus, if you’re an expert, you can tweak and alter the code to completely customize the software to do exactly what you want. A downside is that some open source software requires intermediate or advanced knowledge to use, and in the case of operating systems, may not be compatible with the same software applications and hardware as Windows operating systems.


Ubuntu OS

Ubuntu is one of the world’s most popular open source operating systems. Ubuntu is a Linux-based operating system that is community developed, updated regularly and offered for free. Designed to be user friendly, the Ubuntu OS comes with built-in software for office productivity (i.e., word processor, spreadsheets and presentation applications), e-mail, calendar, chat, web browsing, photos, and more.


Not sure Open Source is for You?


The main thing to note is that when you choose open source you don’t get a Windows® operating system. If you’re here by mistake and you are looking for a Dell PC with Windows, please use the following link.

Digg here: http://digg.com/linux_unix/Dell_XPS_...th_Ubuntu_8_04

Ubuntu 8.04 Offering - Technical details (posted earlier): http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archi...l-details.aspx

You will get 4 options in their XPS M1530n customization page:
- Ubuntu 8.04 with DVD Playback [Included in Price]
- Ubuntu 8.04 with DVD Playback, 30 Day Starter Support [add $65 or $2/month1]
- Ubuntu 8.04 with DVD Playback, 1 Year Basic Support [add $125 or $4/month1]
- Ubuntu 8.04 with DVD Playback, 1 Year Standard Support [add $275 or $8/month1]

I tried configuring XPS M1530 with Ubuntu and Windows Vista. The Vista machine was $1469, while the Ubuntu machine was $1199 for the same specs. There is a $220 off on the Ubuntu machine which expires on Thursday, January 01, 2009. The Vista machine had McAfee Security Center (15 months) and 3 GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Yr extra compared to the Ubuntu one.

I hope they will soon give this option in India too.

[naveen_reloaded]

With vista itself i find somewhat difficult to work on lap...

And i have used ubuntu...on pc..
It needs loads of time and patience...

A business man will find it difficult to work on ubuntu...

For layman or someone new to lap ?

My friends lap came preinstalled with ubuntu and i know how he cursed it...

I am not here to say vista rocks but simply to say that vista is very user friendly...atleast for laymen and newbie.. ,
Even i found it hard (read... More than 6 years with computers..)with ubuntu...

Anyway for all the foss and linux community people its a great treat....

Thanks for the news...

[MetalheadGautham]

OMGWTH
220$ difference ?
Thats like Rs. 9,000
Does this mean we can get an uber config Dell Studio 15 for Rs. 40,000 ?

[unni]

I hope there is no mistake in the prices.

[MetalheadGautham]

There is a small catch: Dell is not allowing users the upgrade option to Radeon HD3450.
As usual, they are trying to cripple the notebook in some way to prevent more people from buying it.

[unni]

In the case of XPS 1530, there is no crippling. I didn't check others though.

[naveen_reloaded]

Can we install vista later .. I mean delete ubuntu and install vista?

If thats possible then i think we got a way to save 10k... :-P

[george101]

but is it available in india?????

[nitansh]

Originally Posted by george101

but is it available in india?????

not yet.....But hoping that they do it sooner than later

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by naveen_reloaded

Can we install vista later .. I mean delete ubuntu and install vista?

If thats possible then i think we got a way to save 10k... :-P

wait a sec, you are actually wondering if you can replace an OS with another in a laptop ?
Isn't that ALWAYS possible ?

Originally Posted by george101

but is it available in india?????

Dell doesn't sell n-Series in India.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

wait a sec, you are actually wondering if you can replace an OS with another in a laptop ?
Isn't that ALWAYS possible ?

He probably wanted to know if he can install *ahem* version of windows and still not lose support/warranty.

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by Pat

He probably wanted to know if he can install *ahem* version of windows and still not lose support/warranty.

Actually, he won't. All he needs to do is to erase his Windows Vista *ahem* Edition (TM) from his HDD and replace it with a linux distro before sending it for some warranty or support service to dell.

Although one small thing to note here: Dell Studio was basically a way to get a gaming capable laptop for a reasonably lower price than Dell XPS. But since this one is crippled and it does not ship with a Radeon HD3450, its much better to go for the Inspiron 1525n. Its more VFM and starts at 525$ (Rs. 21,000)

[chandru.in]

Originally Posted by naveen_reloaded

With vista itself i find somewhat difficult to work on lap...

And i have used ubuntu...on pc..
It needs loads of time and patience...

A business man will find it difficult to work on ubuntu...

For layman or someone new to lap ?

My friends lap came preinstalled with ubuntu and i know how he cursed it...

I am not here to say vista rocks but simply to say that vista is very user friendly...atleast for laymen and newbie.. ,
Even i found it hard (read... More than 6 years with computers..)with ubuntu...

Anyway for all the foss and linux community people its a great treat....

Thanks for the news...

Uh oh! Same old usability story without specifics of what exactly is difficult in using Ubuntu.

If non-availability of Windows-only apps and games is the only reason, well go ahead and get the Vista models. If not give what exactly is so difficult in Ubuntu than Vista.

[gary4gar]

anyone has a idea of the sales of dell based ubuntu systems is going?

Originally Posted by naveen_reloaded

With vista itself i find somewhat difficult to work on lap...

And i have used ubuntu...on pc..
It needs loads of time and patience...

A business man will find it difficult to work on ubuntu...

For layman or someone new to lap ?

My friends lap came preinstalled with ubuntu and i know how he cursed it...

I am not here to say vista rocks but simply to say that vista is very user friendly...atleast for laymen and newbie.. ,
Even i found it hard (read... More than 6 years with computers..)with ubuntu...

Anyway for all the foss and linux community people its a great treat....

Thanks for the news...

New users which have not used a PC before find Ubuntu & Vista as exactly same level of user experience.

Its the problem with seasoned windows Users, they also try to find Internet Explorer,MS word and try running their windows software in it. they find it very alien world.

From my experiance, the part where people get pissed off it, getting their hardware to work and configuring basic settings like mp3 playback etc.

But when get a system with everything preinstalled & configured to work with your hardware, it works nicely.

IMO, Ubuntu is more suited for a web driven desktop which involves email,web surfing, as it focuses on security and safety.

windows is more casual in approach and allows you to work with full right over the system. which translates into better user experience but at cost of security.

[IronManForever]

^^ +1 .
Now thats what I call diplomatic.

[abhishek_del]

ok can anyone who is using Dell right now, tell me about its after-sales service?