Dell's Linux pricing policy

DiBosco · 08-17-2007, 01:23 PM

Has anyone looked into Dell's policy with Linux machines? They're now offering machines in the UK with Ubuntu on, so I thought I'd have a look and spec one up. However, it seems that it's more expensive to buy the same machine with Linux than Windows. I tried making an identical specification laptop and couldn't believe they wanted more for the Linux one.

I can't see why they don't just have one of those options when you specify it that says "Ubuntu - subtract £xx". There's something fishy about the whole thing.

MensaWater · 08-17-2007, 01:30 PM

Maybe they're paying Canonical (commercial force behind Ubuntu) to support the Linux as an outsourcing thing and not telling us?

It does seem odd though that a "free" OS would make your system cost more than the M$$$$ OS. It wouldn't surprise me if M$ did some anti-competitive move where they threatened to not sell Windoze to Dell if the Linux laptops were cheaper.

Padma · 08-17-2007, 01:32 PM

Here in the US, IIRC, the price difference was less than $50. Dell receives lots of price breaks and "incentives" from various software vendors (especially MS), which effectively allow it to sell Windows PCs at *below cost* while still making a slight profit. By not installing Windows, they get no price breaks, so actually have to sell at the cost of the hardware, plus a smidge.

Nylex · 08-17-2007, 01:33 PM

I find it odd that they don't list Ubuntu under "Operating Systems" on their site, but rather have "Open-source PCs" as a product category.

DiBosco · 08-17-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padma

Here in the US, IIRC, the price difference was less than $50. Dell receives lots of price breaks and "incentives" from various software vendors (especially MS), which effectively allow it to sell Windows PCs at *below cost* while still making a slight profit. By not installing Windows, they get no price breaks, so actually have to sell at the cost of the hardware, plus a smidge.

I can understand that they buy Windows cheap as they buy gazillions of licences from MS, but you still have the exact same hardware costs,so Windows being cheaper just has to be a marketing thing. I assume you mean, btw, that the Ubuntu machine is $50 cheaper than Windows in the States?

DiBosco · 08-17-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nylex

I find it odd that they don't list Ubuntu under "Operating Systems" on their site, but rather have "Open-source PCs" as a product category.

Yes, I thought that too. Where they have the Vista Expensive/very expensive option, why not just have an Ubuntu option too?!

docalton · 08-17-2007, 02:16 PM

Here is my take on this.

When you buy a PC loaded with windows Dell pays microsoft a bit for their license.

Dell loads other software such as trial virus software and the like. They are paid to do that from the people whose software they install on a trial basis.

The hopes is to turn these people into paying customers of the software.

Now install linux, and the list of trial software from commercial vendors goes down, so they don't get paid to put it on. It therefore increases the cost of the machine.

This happens with other companies, not sure about Dell, but I know they used to load up their machines with this crappy "trialware".

my 2c's worth

jordanGSU · 08-17-2007, 03:40 PM

cant wait to see how they manage to bloat their Linux PCs as bad as they do the M$ ones with crap software.

Jorophose · 08-17-2007, 05:43 PM

Having trials of stuff like Cedega, CrossOver, and Pixel Image Editor can't be /that/ bad...

docalton · 08-19-2007, 09:27 AM

Trials of that software wouldn't be that bad. But I would rather have a "naked" OS and have no crapware/bloatware. But would those companies pay a manufacturer to put that stuff on the pc's?

For now, Linux is lucky to not have the options of Norton bloatvirus and AOL crap. If they ever come out with that stuff, you can bet those will get preloaded and the cost will go down a bit.

Micro420 · 08-19-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padma

Here in the US, IIRC, the price difference was less than $50. Dell receives lots of price breaks and "incentives" from various software vendors (especially MS), which effectively allow it to sell Windows PCs at *below cost* while still making a slight profit. By not installing Windows, they get no price breaks, so actually have to sell at the cost of the hardware, plus a smidge.

I would just pay the extra $50 and get Windows since that is still a deal compared to buying retail or OEM. Then I would wipe it out and put Linux on there (or dual boot). At least that gives me the option of owning a valid Windows license if I choose to use it.

And if putting crapware means cheaper prices, then I'm fine with that. Just let me uninstall the applications. Otherwise, I would just format the hard drive and start fresh. Again, if this saves me a good deal of money then that's fine with me.

Code:

Dell options:
[X] Install crapware - Subtract $150 (DELL RECOMMENDED)
[ ] Do not install crapware - Add $150

alred · 08-19-2007, 11:09 AM

if dell is selling both linux and vista with only one option "interface"like the above on every desktop pc that they are selling ... then i think its really really about the common sense thing ... ^_^

.

rob.rice · 08-19-2007, 06:54 PM

I just had to check this out for myself
what they are selling as lunux computers by my best guess is over stocked XP computers
these are slower with half the ram with smaller hard drives than there botton of the line vista computers
the price for these garbage (for a new one)computers is $200.00 more than there bottom of the vista line computers

I think we are being insulted
I also think we should contact dell and bitch about this ( I did )