[ale] macbook and linux

[Geoffrey]

Daniel Howard wrote:
> I would not characterize Dell as anti-Linux.  The fact that they are 
> offering Linux boxes at all is positive, and as for the cost aspect, I 
> suspect it has much more to do with basic economics than being 
> pro-Windows: you can always charge less and make a lower margin for an 
> item you expect to sell many more of,

I find this hard to believe in this instant.  You basically take the 
same hardware and install a different OS on each computer.  Once you've 
installed it once, repeating that process is quite simple.

> and so far Dell's Linux sales, 
> while increasing, especially on the server side, are still only a small 
> fraction of what Windows based systems are for them.  Walmart can charge 
> $200 for a Linux box because they are so much bigger and their shoppers 
> typically only care about price, whereas Dell shoppers go there for 
> quality/support, so the Linux business is likely to grow much more 
> slowly.  The cost of support per sale for Linux may be higher for them 
> as well due to users not being familiar with the OS and calling for more 
> basic things (where is the IE icon?).

If you check out the options, you have to pay extra for Linux support. 
The support options specifically state 'hardware support' in the case of 
Linux.

Before I characterize them as
> anti-Linux, I'll wait to see over coming year or two how the 
> price/hardware performance compares as sales of Linux based systems grows.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy they are providing Linux based 
systems.  I believe the reason you don't see more if it is more an issue 
of the companies fearing retribution from Microsoft then anything else.

> 
> Best,
> Daniel
> 
> 
> 
> Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:06:44 -0500
> From: Jeff Hubbs <hbbs at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [ale] macbook and linux
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
> Message-ID: <4748CAA4.3030902 at comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> This, to me, paints Dell as both anti-consumer and anti-Linux.  I
> wouldn't reward them with my business.
> 
> 
> 
> Geoffrey wrote:
>  > > James Taylor wrote:
>  >> >> The specs are not to great compared to what I can pick up for 
> sale at similar or better prices from Costco, Office Depot or even
>  >> >> Microcenter.  You don't pay the microsoft "tax", but you pay more 
> for less performance.  It might feel good, but it doesn't make sense
>  >> >> economically.
>  >> >>
>  >> >> It's hard to take Dell seriously about this when they offer the 
> low end of each of their lines for not great prices on their non-ms
>  >> >> boxes.
>  > >
>  > > You're right.  I just priced an Inspiron 1420 with Ubuntu and with
>  > > Windows.  Identical systems:
>  > >
>  > > Ubuntu:  $1518
>  > > Windows: $1318
>  > >
>  > > And the windows laptop has a 250G drive, whereas the Ubuntu could 
> only go as large as 160GB.
>  > >
>  > > So you're paying $200 MORE not to get windows, along with the 
> smaller hard drive.
>  > >


-- 
Until later, Geoffrey

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
  - Benjamin Franklin