Dell has linux laptops ?

Who here has used any of these:

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/s...=19&l=en&s=dhs

Are you stuck with the distro you select (ubuntu) or can you put other distros on it?

Well, I'm currently typing on a Dell Inspiron 6400n (the UK version of the 1525N), which was factory-installed with Ubuntu.

Being critical: The laptop itself works well, though it was slightly overpriced compared to some other suppliers. The Linux documentation was non-existent (even though it had instructions for how to install Windows) And I've never been impressed with Dell's cases generally; the white plastic edging does feel rather tacky. And the keyboard has a Windows key.

I've stuck with Ubuntu, but there's no particularly odd hardware, so it will work well with any regular distribution.

Personally, I'd tend to shop around; there are a lot of Linux pre-installed suppliers out there and many of them seem to provide better products than Dell for the same sort of money. I recently bought a ~£1000 (about $1850) server from EfficientPC (a UK supplier) and to get the same disk size from Dell I would have had to spend multiple thousands of pounds on one of their high-end servers.

Hope that helps,

—Robert J Lee

Robert,

Somewhat related - I know Ubuntu uses gnome. How well do you like gnome compared to KDE? I know gnome is more simple than KDE and I am thinking that simplicity might be ideal for my mom (who is easily confused by computers).

Her needs are simple: burn data back up on CD / DVD, check email, write letters and if possible talk via VOIP (skype, etc).

Do you know how well gnome in Ubuntu handles these?

Thanks again.