Dell charges more for Ubuntu than Vista

jmke · 21st February 2008, 09:40

DELL HAPPILY ANNOUNCED a new Ubuntu-powered system a couple of days ago.

The penguin posse was delighted, of course, until it found that the once-direct only seller seems to be charging more for machines sporting the open source OS than for those sporting Vista.

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquir...s-ubuntu-vista

21st February 2008, 21:15

Second time they have done this, charging more for linux versions of the same computers...

jmke · 21st February 2008, 21:22

you'd almost think they don't want to sell these PCs to their customers to avoid support calls

Sidney · 21st February 2008, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmke

you'd almost think they don't want to sell these PCs to their customers to avoid support calls

The charge "is" to pay for support calls.

21st February 2008, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidney

The charge "is" to pay for support calls.

that's what I thought too

22nd February 2008, 07:58

Isn't a part of the charge for ubuntu itself ? I know it's free for personal use, but what about selling it with a computer, it commercial and lucrative from Dells point of view ?

jmke · 22nd February 2008, 09:00

it remains free

28th February 2008, 09:45

more and more i keep thinking about putting that ubuntu disc back into my cmptr

29th February 2008, 01:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutske

Isn't a part of the charge for ubuntu itself ? I know it's free for personal use, but what about selling it with a computer, it commercial and lucrative from Dells point of view ?

I'm no lawyer, but my understanding is under terms of the GNU license charging for Ubuntu would be a violation, because they are essentially selling a free OS that is in the public domain under licensed to remain free. They would have to bundle it for free, or claim the extra costs is from some other system component or service provided.

piotke · 1st March 2008, 12:27

I'm sure the ubuntu will be free,but the installation and r&d costs (best drivers, compatible HW, ..) are just as high as for a Windows Based PC. But less buyers is fewer people to split the costs.

21st February 2008, 09:40	#1
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,021	Dell charges more for Ubuntu than Vista DELL HAPPILY ANNOUNCED a new Ubuntu-powered system a couple of days ago. The penguin posse was delighted, of course, until it found that the once-direct only seller seems to be charging more for machines sporting the open source OS than for those sporting Vista. http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquir...s-ubuntu-vista __________________

21st February 2008, 21:22	#3
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,021	you'd almost think they don't want to sell these PCs to their customers to avoid support calls __________________

22nd February 2008, 09:00	#7
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,021	it remains free __________________

1st March 2008, 12:27	#10
piotke [M] Reviewer Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 5,003	I'm sure the ubuntu will be free,but the installation and r&d costs (best drivers, compatible HW, ..) are just as high as for a Windows Based PC. But less buyers is fewer people to split the costs. __________________ .

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21st February 2008, 21:15	#2
Kougar Posts: n/a	Second time they have done this, charging more for linux versions of the same computers...

22nd February 2008, 07:58	#6
wutske Posts: n/a	Isn't a part of the charge for ubuntu itself ? I know it's free for personal use, but what about selling it with a computer, it commercial and lucrative from Dells point of view ?

28th February 2008, 09:45	#8
jakebot Posts: n/a	more and more i keep thinking about putting that ubuntu disc back into my cmptr