Dell Linux Update

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/03/28/9655.aspx

Hopefully Dell will do this right. If they offer notebook configs that run perfectly on Linux, I'll buy the updated M1210 instead of a MacBook.

 

Why dont u intall linux u'rself on 1210 ? The linux laptop site indicate many painless installations of ubuntu on it.

 

but you could jut buy a macbook and onstall ubuntu on it too right?

 

Well, I don't actually own a M1210. I'm just considering it for my next notebook. If Dell sell some of their machines with Linux, I may be inclined to go with them.

Well, I'd rather support the company that supports my OS of choice.

 

i had previously thought of dell as far too stiff and entwined in microsoft money to take on something like this, but i'm really liking the recent approach of customer first ("take care of the customer and the business will take care of itself").

good to see there is some change in the industry

 

lysander you got a point....but the macbook is quite appealing atleast to me it is
but i guess you have already weighed the pros and the cons of each like with dell you get customer support and they keep their warranties too!!!

only if hp got that!!!

hp look and learn!!!

 

Agreed. I was planning on purchasing some sort of Mac sometime later this year (probably a Macbook) to offset this behemoth 17" that I'm tired of carrying around. But an M1210 would be a definite possibility if they pull this off.

@others: I think what Lysander (and myself) are thinking is that while it may be quite simple to install Linux on the M1210, the fact that Dell would be offering them pre-installed is the important part. The fact is that one reason Linux is not mainstream is because of the install process of most distributions, and your average user isn't even capable enough to install Windows, let alone Linux. What has been keeping Windows in the forefront (at least in the U.S.) is that pretty much every computer you buy from a popular company (like Dell) has Windows pre-installed, so the user doesn't have to go through the install process and thus they assume it's easier. Therefore, to have Linux gain popularity, it must seem as easy and transparent to the user as Windows (if not moreso), and I personally am willing to buy from a company that is willing to do that.

 

The Mac also has an ATI card, which has spotty support under Linux (and always slow).

But I agree with notebook_ftw. It's nice to see a major manufacturer actually shipping Linux-supporting configurations. That's all I want... they don't even need to install Linux or support it. Just give me a set of hardware guaranteed to work with open source drivers, and I'll buy.

 

Here is some more links as this made it to the public.

http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS8436091466.html

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2109024,00.asp

 

Exactly right.

Yeah, I've only been pleased with Dell's customer service. Meanwhile a friend's MacBook Pro is still only using one fan after sending it back three times.

I wouldn't be buying the Pro model. I want something smaller than my current Inspiron 6400. Integrated doesn't bother me, but I'd prolly grab the 7400 in a M1210 anyways.