[ale] macbook and linux

[Geoffrey]

Brian Pitts wrote:
> 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.
> 
> Dell has publicly committed to the Ubuntu systems being $50 cheaper than 
> those with  Vista. [1] The last time I know of that Vista cost less, it 
> made the front page of slashdot. [2] Dell fixed the error and apologized:
> 
> "As a member of Dell's consumer pricing team, I want to let you know 
> that the recent pricing error on the Inspiron 1420 with Ubuntu was a 
> simple oversight -- the pricing promotions available on the Inspiron 
> 1420 with Vista were not applied to the Ubuntu systems. But we have now 
> fixed this error. If you check today, you should find the same promos in 
> play on both the Ubuntu and the Vista systems. Thanks for calling this 
> error to our attention ? and keep the feedback coming."
> 
> If you've found another such mistake, please point it out to Dell and 
> the linux news sites so that it gets fixed!

I tried this again.  I built identical d830 laptops and the windows 
build was $30 more then the non-windows build.  I say non-windows, 
because there was no option for ubuntu, it comes with free-dos.

Personally, I'll not waste my time trying to bring this issue to Dell's 
attention.  I've had to deal with them a number of times and find it 
terribly painful process.

-- 
Until later, Geoffrey

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