So, now that I am back, I have been able to catch up on all the big happenings in the tech world. Perhaps the most important to me, is Dell’s announcement on exactly which PCs will have Ubuntu preinstalled. So, after looking over the PCs with great detail, something has caught my eye:
The prices are in some cases — more than Windows machines!
As a devout (K)Ubuntu user, this really made me second guess the move by Dell in the first place. Something that I take as a fact, is that this move was made by Dell because of the Ideastorm site’s overwhelming demand for Linux on the desktop. Then came the poll, which I believe Ubuntu won, fair and square. Theoretically, the price of the machines should be less than those with Windows installed, about a $100-$150 difference. However, the Ubuntu machines are more expensive!
This is what led me to believe that there is something smells fishy in Texas. This is just a theory of mine, and I am not sure of the details. I think, that the latest deal between Microsoft and Novell have something to do with the recent decisions made by Dell, reguarding the pricing. Microsoft has been known to “beat down” OEMs reguarding marketing of other operating systems. If you take a look at Dell’s site, no marketing involving Ubuntu is found, not on the notebook site, or even the desktop site. It is hidden off to the side. It should be noted that Microsoft made a deal with Dell, offering to give out Novell coupons. Microsoft may have talked to Dell, giving them the green light to sell Ubuntu PCs, only if they are priced higher than their Windows counterparts, and are not marketed widely. Just the lack in marketing is enough for me to reiterate my plan for the Georgia LoCo regaurding Ubuntu Dell marketing, enduring that Ubuntu succeeds.
