I'm seriously appreciating this Linux push by Dell.  Certainly looking forward to the day I can install a Linux, and not have to worry about wrappers, unsupported hardware, unavailable proprietary drivers, and other compatibility issues.

At this time, we are not including any support for proprietary audio or video codecs that are not already distributed with Ubuntu 7.04.

.. which will work quite nice if you're following the information published eg. on the official Ubuntu website or one of its many country-specific headquarters.

A very good example for this is the Ubuntusers-Wiki and message board. Using their how-tos and install guides I could install those evil proprietary codecs almost without problems. The only thing that made a crapper was the audio output, but when I installed the alsamixer-package, it started to work flawlessly, so I guess some drivers were missing.

cu, w0lf.

@Bob:  it's syndicated on Fedora Planet because I asked for it to be, and I post to this category (Linux) about things that impact Fedora as well.  The Fedora Planet aggregator carries lots of people and posts that aren't necessarily Linux or Fedora-specific even.

@BWZT: you don't have to buy the components that have proprietary drivers.  With the exception of the modem in the notebooks for which no open driver is available, all the systems can be configured with components with only Free drivers.

@Ricky: yes, our Linux Engineering team has people who develop and contribute to the drivers.  And yes, Dell has given hardware to a number of developers who are working on specific issues and features on our behalf.

Thanks,
Matt
 

For hardware options not offered with this release, we are working with the vendors of those devices to improve the maturity and stability of their associated Linux drivers. While this may not happen overnight, we do expect to have a broader range of hardware support with Linux over time.

At this time, we are not including any support for proprietary audio or video codecs that are not already distributed with Ubuntu 7.04. These include MPEG 1/2/3/4, WMA, WMV, DVD, Quicktime, etc. We are evaluating options for providing this support in the future.

The original May 1st announcement said: 

"These systems will be available in the coming weeks to customers in the United States."

 I've read that this meant May 24th.  When will it also be available in Canada? And why exactly do you not offer the systems at the same time in the US and Canada?

Apart from using Ubuntu as the support arm, what kind of technical resources has Dell invested in to solve low-level system problems (kernel or Xorg related)? Have you hired some kernel/Xorg hackers? Have you provided the hardware you will be selling to kernel/Xorg hackers?

Disappointing. Using proprietary drivers implies that your customers cannot replace the Ubuntu installation with a competing distribution of their preferred choice.
 

"For hardware options not offered with this release, we are working with the vendors of those devices to improve the maturity and stability of their associated Linux drivers. While this may not happen overnight, we do expect to have a broader range of hardware support with Linux over time."

 
:) 

"For hardware options not offered with this release, we are working with the vendors of those devices to improve the maturity and stability of their associated Linux drivers. While this may not happen overnight, we do expect to have a broader range of hardware support with Linux over time."

Good call, Dell. Looks like you're making a lot of the right moves. *thumbs up* 

I think you'll find that LEGAL proprietary codecs and DVD players are shortly (hopefully very shortly), going to be a lot easier for Dell to supply.  CNR.com have committed to release CNR for various distributions, allowing Dell to supply the required codecs and DVD support via CNR. :)

CNR.com states that the first distributions to be supported will happen in Q2 2007.  Ubuntu should be among those (as Freespire and Linspire are now based on Ubuntu), so there shouldn't be a very long wait at all!!!

I have to say, it does rather appear there is case of good timing going on here.

This is all very exciting, come on where are the Laptops for the UK?!!!

Thumb up for Dell.

I believe Dell decides to include some 'close source' driver is because the nature of Ubuntu requires Internet connection very much. And I hope that Dell will push the vendors to open the driver in short time.

And the decision not to include proprietary codecs also a correct move IMHO.

Dell will work with hardware vendor is the best news to all the Linux users I think.

The last important thing is , the price. Dell, give the customer  a lower price (at least 50 USD )  compared to the same spec preinstalled Windows.
 

Will you default the wifi option for laptops to Intel instead of the Dell branded wifi as the Intel wifi is much better supported.

It would also be good if you could make high spec laptops that use intel gfx. Normally your laptops are arranged so that cheaper/smaller/slower machines have onboard gfx and the performance machines have nvidia or ati. Obviously if running linux there will be a large group of people who want a performance laptop that is high spec but still uses intel gfx - allowing open source drivers for 3d.

Thanks for this forward step.

What's ironic is the fact that this server is a Windows 2003 server.

 http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://www.direct2dell.com

@Clint Brothers: lots of Dell web sites run on Windows.  However, linux.dell.com (our Engineering team public web server) and lists.us.dell.com (our public mailing list server) run on Linux.

http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://linux.dell.com 

@ Clint Brothers

Thats the lamest old cheap shot next to rtfm but I am sure that next time you check it's all going to be Ubuntu since you volunteered to migrate all of Dell's servers immidiately for free :-)
 

The blog mentioned Conexant modems, will this be available for all Dell users or only those who purchase a Dell notebook with it?  Also will these driver be licensed from Linuxant or a new driver?

Thanks and I look forward to purchasing my new D630 with Linux (hint hint! ;-)!

Kudos Dell!

I just helped out a friend spec out a Dell E1505 just prior to the announcement on ideastorm so that he could dual boot.  I am looking forward to buying yet another Dell Laptop for my wife, with Linux pre-installed.

Now, if I could just get my broadcomm 4311 working without NDIS wrapper in all distros I would be a happy camper!
 

Thanks again! 

I like the sound of all of this, particularly your choice of Ubuntu.  This is your opportunity to become the first large computer vendor to produce Linux systems in a serious way, not just as an attempt to strongarm Microsoft into lowering their licensing cost.  Please don't disappoint us.

Hi THANKS A LOT for your efforts.

I wonder about the plans for outside customers.. we NEED an alternative, i don't really want to buy a windows laptop...

Hope to hear something about this soon.

Good job - please keep posting news, updates, opinions - anything is better than a brick wall.

My next computer might just be a Dell :) 

I want a Linux laptop but I am not a techie--not even slightly techie.  Will the laptop work for me?  When I see things like "we are not including any support for proprietary audio or video codecs" I assume that means I will never be able to get the laptop to work properly.  Will I have a steep learning curve?  If so, I guess I'll have to pick between Windows and Mac.

Thanks. 

I really hope the release date is the 24th. I'm literally waiting on this to buy a laptop. I'd like a 17" screen, so I hope the E1705 is available along with the E1505. It seems like they're the same line, so one would hope that the E1705 will be available (and not left out because say ATI cards are 'required' for the bigger screen), but a (short) time will tell.

I'd hope that if the E1705 isn't available through the mainstream options, that there would be some leeway in the ordering process where I could deal with somebody who could get me the 17" screen with the Linux image.

This laptop isn't for me, so preinstalled Linux is key
 in case the machine has a hardware problem down the line (when I may not be directly around) and needs to be sent back for service and is thus reimaged. (I personally have been paying the microsoft laptop tax for the past 7 years and just installing Linux myself, but you obviously have to be pretty assertive when calling hardware support and that's the case)

I used to have my reservations about Dell,  but if you actually come through and come up with decent laptop, I will be among the first to buy a laptop.

 
Congratulations for this magnificent effort, you are just what we needed to get Hardware vendors to take FLOSS seriously.

In reference to the lack of codec support:

It would be a really big plus for Linux users if Dell setup an RPM (installer) providing full codec support (dvd, avi, quicktime, etc etc). The average user will not work through several pages of HOW-TO's. Without this Dell + Linux cannot compete with Dell + Windows.

 

Regarding the binary-only drivers for Intel wireless cards, I assume this only applies to the 3945 with its binary-only regulatory daemon?  Have you looked into the stability of the iwlwifi driver, which no longer needs the binary-only daemon?

Also, why can you not configure a laptop without a modem at all?  Many people do not need one, and don't want a binary driver installed for hardware they won't even use, particularly since that driver runs a real-time process that eats CPU and decreases battery life.

Finally, you might consider working with the linuxpowertop people to decrease power usage.  Given a few tweaks and patches, you could easily have 1-3 hours more battery life under Linux than under Windows.  20 minutes of tuning and patching gave me an extra 1-1.5 hours.
 

@anonymous: yes, we're familiar with the new Intel iwlwifi driver.  As soon as it's stable and is the default driver for this hardware in Ubuntu, we'll use it.  Ubuntu Feisty presently uses the older Intel wireless driver with the userspace regulatory daemon.

The laptop modem is built into the notebook motherboard, it's not an optional component to be removed.  You can choose to uninstall the driver package if you don't need it.

Yes, props to Arjan van de Ven and the Intel team for powertop.

 

Finally i can say it...

2007 the year for Linux on the desktop.

 

As long as you make it clear to the users what they are _not_ getting, and clear instructions as to where to find information on how to get it working, I don't find it too bad and I can understand Dell not wanting to open itself up for legal attacks by distributing proprietary codecs and such in ways that may or may not be strictly legal. Its a toss up, but Dell is choosing prudence and I can't argue against that for them.

Although I am rather confused as to why mpeg 1/2/4 (mp3 codec _is_ non-free) are not being distributed. I thought that they were royalty free?

I really do applaud your move, but there's one thing you absolutely have to do: provide the firmware for the Broadcom cards.  It's relatively simple to set up the cards (a nice graphical setup wizard would make it possible to ignore the command line altogether then).  The cards should work fine, and with Network Manager, easily handle any network or setup.  The laptop will probably fail if you do not find a way to ensure wireless will work natively (ndiswrapper isn't really an option here, as you still need to have a driver in the first place)

Will these machines be available in other countries than USA? Like... Finland? :) Or at least can I buy same models (without Windows) here and install Ubuntu myself?

I'm especially interested in a tiny 12,1" widescreen laptops.

As some others asked, will those be available in Canada ? Well, I don't expect a release date, but only know if it will, in a near future (I will not wait 6 months).

Thank you 

It will be neat to see a Dell laptop arrive without the 'Designed for Microsoft xxxx' sticker on it.

I wonder if we'll get to see a 'Designed for Linux/Ubuntu' sticker!!!! It better have a penguin :P

This is great. I really like you are favoring opensource drivers. I hope this would make vendors change their mind and open their products specifications.

Sadly, I live outside the US. Dell only sells Vista computers here in Costa Rica. I hope these ubuntu laptops to be available in other countries soon, cause I'm definitively not buying Vista.

will this be a US only affair. Or it will be world wide.

 I was hoping to see this comes to Malaysia.
 

Can we expect Dell to deliver this option (GNU/Linux) to countries like say for example Mexico? I live in Mexico and I've already noticed that not all Dell models are available here for ordering online (which is a shame).

 I know several people in the OSS movement in Mexico who certainly would welcome such a move (including myself even though I don't consider myself part of any OSS movement).
 

Why choose Intel wireless cards _without_ FLOSS drivers when Intel has gone to the trouble of producing FLOSS drivers for:

All are available here:

http://intellinuxgraphics.org/related.html 

i'm just wondering how long this will last. this isn't the first major oem offering of linux. and for the most part, it's been limited to a small end user group, usually run only on workstation class machines for specific applications. i don't doubt that plenty of people want linux on their desktop/notebook, but, since when does an end user actually know what they want?

 i wonder if dell's expecting a larger than normal return rate on these machines?

 just a thought..

Wow. Awesome. Though I actually wonder whether these computers will actually get to NEW ZEALAND!

I am a little bit anxious that companies like AMD or Nvidia don't just release better binary drivers made specifically for Ubuntu because of this Dell deal. This would hurt Fedora/Red Hat and Suse.

 I also hope that the money saved from the cost of Microsoft Windows can be paid as an optional donation to the Ubuntu team and/or another Open Source / Community based group (ie. Automatix).
 

What sort of codecs problem i don't get it may be somebody can care to explain. I use Kubuntu Feisty and Kaffeine plays everything from WMV to AVI and DVD's and XMMS plays mp3 too. So just don't get it whats the problem. I have not installed any codec package, just the application with default install plays it all.

The only problem is playing video CD's  as it don't recognize .dat files.

Cheers

Cybeh 

I thank John and Matt for their numerous updates over the last few weeks. Although I'm a die-hard Fedora fan (I already run Fedora Core 6 on a Latitude D610, an Optiplex GX260 and a Dimension 4700) I'm very excited about the upcoming annoncements regarding these Ubuntu-based machines.

As one of the largest OEM, Dell has the power to send a powerful wake-up call to those of your suppliers (let's not be afraid of naming and shaming them... Broadcom, ATI are you listening?) whose inertia has made it tough to shop for compatible computers for my OS of choice. Your compatibility strategy gives me great hope, since it's quite compatible with the way it's done in the FLOSS world.

I'm in the process of shopping for a new notebook for my sister-in-law and I want her to buy one of these linux-compatible E1505 (if the rumour is accurate)... if you ever make them available in Canada. I certainly hope you will, sooner than later!

Please DELL make your Linux Dell Client available in Europe
right after the inital launch...

We too are really looking forward to a choice like this !

In the past, when Dell had a no-operating system included computer for sale, the cost was very close to the Dells with operating system.  When there was a sale, the Dells with OS were often cheaper or a better value because of memory or monitor promotions.  I am pleased to see Dell testing hardware with Ubuntu, but if the machine doesn't cost significantly less, it just isn't going to change the world. 

If I could save $50 buying a no-OS or Ubuntu Dell, I would do it.  But I know how to install Ubuntu.  If the cost is almost the same, or the promotions make a Windows Dell a better deal, why would I give up the ability to dual boot if I'm not going to save some money in return?

"I want a Linux laptop but I am not a techie--not even slightly techie.  Will the laptop work for me?  When I see things like "we are not including any support for proprietary audio or video codecs" I assume that means I will never be able to get the laptop to work properly.  Will I have a steep learning curve?  If so, I guess I'll have to pick between Windows and Mac."

 Installing the proprietary audio and video codecs isn't that complicated in Ubuntu 7.04:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

@ mainstream user - "When I see things like 'we are not including any support for proprietary audio or video codecs' I assume that means I will never be able to get the laptop to work properly.  Will I have a steep learning curve?"

This depends on what you define as a properly working laptop. Properly working to me is that the hardware is functional and that the operating system, be it Linux, Unix, or Windows, will allow for usage of all the hardware. But from your context, I gather that you're looking at it from a purely software angle where it is the applications used that will determine the functionality. 

I can't speak for Dell, but I can assure you of one thing: There is a massive amount of material available within the online community of Ubuntu users. A great starting point is http://www.ubuntuguide.org followed by http://www.ubuntuforums.org. Furthermore, in the vast majority of cases it's as simple as Googling: [keywords] ubuntu.

For nearly all classes of applications, there are open source alternatives to commercial Windows applications. Everything from audio and video recording/editing/playback to office suites and financial management, and all points in between. The quality varies, but a lot out there is good. In more than just a few cases, the application is superior to a comparable commercial Windows or Mac OS offering. Additionally, it is also possible to run Windows on Linux using VMWare and run Windows applications and games within Linux using programs such as Wine, Crossover Office, and Cedega. Yes, there are even commercial Linux applications. You will have many options and ways of tackling the problem.

As for proprietary codecs, there will probably be a commerical offering via Linspire's Click 'N Run in the near future which will likely cover DVD playback. Right now, Fluendo has licensed codecs already for MP3, MPEG 1/2/4, WMV, and AAC.

You've already had to deal with a learning curve with one operating system - Windows. Now that you've got that under your belt, learning a relatively user friendly Linux distribution such as Ubuntu should be a painless undertaking. As long as you take advantage of the best resources out there, namely Dell, Canonical, and most of all, the Ubuntu community, you shouldn't any problems getting most of your day to day tasks, and even some odd ones, accomplished. There are millions of people out there you can ask, just don't be afraid to do so. Most of us like to help, even if some of us out there would rather tell you "RTFM (Read The Freakin' Manual)".

I've spent a long time with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. I love and loathe all of them for various reasons. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. Out of all of them, I've gotten the best balance of cost, customization, performance, stability, and security under Linux. I've tried many versions of Linux over the last five years or so, and Ubuntu is the only distribution I would recommend to someone who is just now considering testing the waters.

To see Dell offer Linux on the desktop again, this time with Ubuntu, goes to prove that this company is out to reinvent itself and stay relevant in the world technology market by listening to and offering its customers real choices in all aspects of their purchases.

Kudos to Dell and best of luck to you should you decide to travel the road less traveled.

What about EU countries, are there restrictions...

Will there be a DVD (installation media) + partition editor...?

@mainstream user

"we are not including any support for proprietary audio or video codecs" means:

You doubleclick a mp3 file, Ubuntu asks if you want the codecs to be installed for you, you enjoy your music.

As for DVD a little google search  is still required to get extremely simple guides.

It's not a complete solution, but it seems to me better than nothing *and* going to be solved soon. Average Joe should feel confident. 

@mainstreamuser:

 Well, in case this isnt just a bit of troll baiting but serious, I'll be answering seriously:

Generally, Dell made a real good pick with Ubuntu when it comes to usability for mainstream/non-geek users as it is to some concers even easier to administer than Windows. Those codecs you mentioned (the stuff which lets you access your dvds/movies/mp3s/etc) Dell can't deliver due to legal issues, but you can install those easily (and I mean easy as in foolproof easy) with some mere clicks and entering your system password to ok the action.

And you can find yourself lots and lots of ubuntu support all over the internet, in plain non-tech language as ubuntu is used by a lot of non-techs and from what I read most of those people are really enthusiastic about their systems especially when they are long-time windows users who finally got rid of their chains ;)

"At this time, we are not including any support for proprietary audio or video codecs that are not already distributed with Ubuntu 7.04. These include MPEG 1/2/3/4, WMA, WMV, DVD, Quicktime, etc. We are evaluating options for providing this support in the future."

That is too bad.  I was even hoping for some proprietary software for playing DVDs, like LinDVD.  

My only question is will those buttons on the front of my E1505 still play my music, videos, pictures, and such without booting up the computer?  If so, will this software be based on Linux?  Maybe you could use a scaled down version of 'Linux Media Center Edition' for this feature which is based on Ubuntu anyway...? 

B.T.W.  Using a Dell Inspiron E1505 right now.  

Way to go! Its about time a major producer sold computers with Linux pre-installed.

Glad to see you guys are actually going to go through with it.
 I was afraid that you would get cold feet.

I have not bought a new computer in many years because I am sick of giving money to Microsoft for an operating system that I do not need or use. Looks like my next computer will be a Dell. 

@mainstream user:

 This was the beauty of choosing Ubuntu 7.04. When you open a file that needs a proprietary codec, you are given a simple prompt (a Yes or No) to download them.

They are not installed by default because some Linux users feel very strongly against anything proprietary. 

@ mainstream user: of course you will. Just take a look at my comment. Its fu... uhm .. very easy to install codec-related packages, even my dad, who was a windows and DOS guy for many years told me last sunday he's turning into a real Ubuntu-fan, it took a bit of his time but he got the "proprietary" codec stuff working without the help of above mentioned sites!

And he's NOT the ultra-techie guy - like me - he just wants his computer working!

cu, w0lf. 

"The peripheral options offered with Ubuntu will be a subset of what is offered with other operating systems."

What does that mean? That we'll have problems when plugging in a TV card, an extra network card, or USB device, or any other device that was not supplied by Dell?

Great to read about this initiative!

Suppliers always seem to be afraid about supporting linux.

Thanks for this initiative!

If you make them available in Europe i'll by my next Laptop from dell ;)

Maybe nvidia can be convinced by dell (and the pressure from amd)  to open their driver...
 

Fedora Core 6 runs fine on the Dell XPS 710. After installing FC6 all that
was needed was the NVIDIA driver, which was easy to fetch and install, and configuring the sound card, which took five minutes using the sound card detection utility and  then changing sound preferences.

 http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html

Using the NVIDIA X Server Setting utility it was easy to set my dual cards to SLI mode.

Dell, I have a Dell laptop from work. And you can be sure that I will install ubuntu onto it [like on my home desktop :-]. You can also be sure that when I buy a personal laptop it will also be a Dell. You have my full support from now on! Nice work!

 Rob, Belgium.
 

Working with hardware vendors to solidify (or create) their Linux device drivers is a dream come true for those of us from the Unix world.  Many thanks for all your hard work in this area!

I am looking forward to buying a new Dell laptop with a Linux that I don't have to install myself.

Regards,

Thomas P. Donnelly

Captain, USNR (ret)

@mainstream : When you Buy a Windows Or Mac machine , you don't have any support for audio or video codecs either ! Windows comes with their crappy WM formats , and apple did better with the most standards formats ( MPEG) . Linux comes with royalty free formats : vorbis & theora , so those can be played without any installation.

For MPEGs & WMs formats , ubuntu asks you if you want to install them from the internet when you need them. This allow Ubuntu to avoid paying using patented formats.

This is the first time it has been so easy to install coecs in linux !  

SO IT IS EASIER TO INSTALL CODECS ON UBUNTU THAN ON WINDOWS OR LINUX.  

Great job, Dell!

I have been watching the development and am very excited about the options so far.

Hardware vendors are key and I hope more of them will provide the hardware documentation so open drivers can be used as this certainly makes the most sense and broaden the offerings in time to even more laptops and desktops.
 

@mainstream user -

Ubuntu has about the smoothest learning curve of any Linux distribution out there. I've seen people who can't even use Windows without getting help figure Ubuntu out. If you can use Windows, you can use Ubuntu.  The multimedia codecs shouldn't be a big deal, Ubuntu should pop up a notification asking you if you want to install them if you try to open those files that need them.  As long as you have an internet connection you can download the codecs, one-click easy.  Also, if you ever have any other questions or concerns, check out the Ubuntu Forums. Most of the people there are really nice and willing to help out with anything.

 Has anyone else noticed that this page is creative commons'd? That's just awesome right there. : )
 

@Steve

I doubt that they will put Ubuntu in E1705 for the moment. They would have said.

However, I will buy one item of the smallish 1505 just to say "hey Dell, I was not joking when I voted for Ubuntu!".  Then I will buy (for my family) some other pieces when better items are available.  Come on Dell, don't be lazy!

Oh... wait... I'm from Italy, so I'll have to wait anyway.

@mainstream user
That's not right. The won't be out-of-the-box support for formats like MP3 or WMV [but OGG!]. But if you click on a mp3, a window pops-up and asks: "Wanna install MP3 Codec? [...] restricted [...]

[YES] [NO] "

If you click yes, it downloads the codec with any further action. Then you can play MP3s with Totem (Video-Player). Same for WMV, MPG and so 

It looks like hey are offering no more than a typical System76 unit would with an Ubuntu install. The fact that they are a larger OEM provider and have a few strings to pull will only help us, the end user, to have better hardware support on many machines now and in the future.

@mainstream user:

 In the past the proprietary codecs have been a problem. With the latest version of ubuntu due to licencing issues it is not included by default. But when you click on a file requiring a codec, ubuntu automatically downloads the correct one for you. It is the best that it could possibly be.

Wow, this is the real deal?

By the way, a little bird told me that one of the systems to get Ubuntu was the 1505.  I want!

Kudos!!!

Thanks for new Linux machines.  I recently bought an Ispiron 6400 with Vista Basic -- which I quickly wiped out and installed Linux. On my second distro and two weeks later I managed to get the Dell1390(broadcom) wireless card to work with NetworkManager/ndiswrapper. Another week later for the ATI video card.  But now it's working, I am connecting to Exhcange (at work) with Evolution and also connecting to the network drives on the Windows network. I am really happy with the computer right now -- it's working great with good performance from the Duo core.

Here is a crazy idea:  how about a trade-in/upgrade promotion to get the official Ubuntu flavor?
 

@mainstream user

Those do work with ubuntu. They won't be included by default, just like windows.
 

Mainstream user:

No, you'll be able to play mp3s and such.  They are not included in the default distribution due to ridiculous legal issues.  Feisty Fawn (Ubuntu 7.04) makes it easy to install the necessary codecs to play audio and video.

See https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats and https://wiki.ubuntu.com/7.04Tour for more info.

@mainstream user: The Dell Linux wiki should provide details to set up your future laptop for playing proprietary codecs, in a language you, as a mainstream user, can understand.

 If not, the Ubuntu wiki is always available as well as a number of third party apps, one used by Michael Dell himself, which installs such codecs for you.
 

Great! :)

I hope that you can talk to some hardware manufacturers and get them to release open source device drivers, or specification for their hardware.

@mainstram user: Installation of those proprietary tools and codecs should be fairly easy, though you'll probably have to google for it. I'd suggest using key words like "ubuntu", the codec name, and "how to" for starters. Try it now to see if the information is easy to find, way over your head, or in the realm of the doable for you. But considering that lots of other people will want to play mp3s and various movies and such on their Dell Linux laptops (and desktops) it is virtually guaranteed that you'll find such "how to" info within weeks or even days.

And I applaud Dell for offering Linux at last. I hope that Dell's hardware choices put enough pressure on hardware vendors for them to open their specs. We all win (including Dell, of course).

well for the needs of the rest

http://getautomatix.com

and then your non free blah will be sorted

nuff said

   Personally I have no interest in buying any of these. Each of these appear to be locked into bottom of the basement models no one would be interested in buying. I was ready to buy an XPS system with an 17 inch monitor or the Dell M90 with the works, knowing that GNU/Linux runs on these systems extremely well and a lot better then windows does.

   Dell seems to be content only providing the machines Microsoft has told them that they can provide as to discourage customers from buying quality machines with Linux preinstalled.

   The biggest shame of this is that Dell is paying Microsoft for each of these machines that it does sell with GNU/Linux, And if they sell well, Dell will run back to Microsoft and buy more licenses under the pretense to the world that they are for Suse, but actually for Ubnuntu.

 Another disappointment to Linux community

Thats three in a row

1. First you agree to offer Linux then back out

2. Then you agree to offer it again, but run to MS and buy licenses for selling ubuntu, with the pretense that they are for Suse

 3. Now you offer Linux on crap model systems.
 

Good Riddance
 

No longer a Dell customer or supporter. I prefer to buy from a company with balls, rather then one that is a wuss for Microsoft.
 

>>Jerry said:

This is such a serious boost to LINUX and its community, THANK YOU DELL!

I wonder if they will retrofit drivers for like the DELL 1390 wireless for better UBUNTU support?