Why Won't Dell Promote Its Linux Desktops?

Brian McCoy writes "In this article, Steven Vaughn-Nichols proclaims "Last Thursday, when I wrote about Dell's new Linux desktop, was one of the most frustrating days of my professional life. My eWEEK colleague John Spooner and I tried our best to get Dell to confess that they really had released an honest-to-God Linux desktop.""

Support.

[DogDude]

It's very simple. Support will be an absolute nightmare. The few hundred bucks per machine that they're charging over Windows doesn't come close to paying the bill of the support that the "average" computer users would need if they actually bought these things. They want to make sure that people who buy them REALLY want them and know how to use them, already.

Same - Same

[Anonymous Coward]

The interesting thing to me is that the Linux version [dell.com] costs the same as the identical Windows version. [dell.com] In past Linux system offerings from Dell, the Linux system was actually more expensive than the Windows system!

fair is- fair?

[way2trivial]

just for fun, show me where microsoft is mentioned on their root page?

Been wondering for years..

[fak3r]

the knee jerk response is because they can't afford to lose whatever deal they have with microsoft, but I'd hope that isn't the real reason. All I know is that I tried to buy a desktop w/o an OS from them (ok, you have to have a naked drive with FreeDOS included, close enough) but of course that one was more expensive with cheaper add-ons than their 'speicals' with XP Home! SO there ya go, I paid the MS tax by saving 150$ on a better machine from Dell. It frustrates me to no end, but I don't know what I can do about it save for complain, which I have to them. I know, buy from someone else, roll your own, etc...but I've done that in the past, now I want some kinda 'just works' hardware that I can buy and trust. (and ppl wonder why I'm so excited about the new apples...dual boot osx/linux and I'll be a happy camper)

"Workstations" not "Desktops", you'll note

[john-da-luthrun]

I'm sure you're right that Dell is keen to gently discourage the "average" user from buying these Linux boxes. Just look at the descriptions on the linked page: they're described as "workstations" (message: not one for Mom and Pop), and have suitably intimidating subtitles ("Elite", "Performance", "Advanced").

Then there are the descriptions of "ideal owner": "Demanding, price-conscious users requiring the power of a workstation over a desktop for specialized tasks". Again, it's a "get lost, n00bs" message.

Re:Maybe 'cause Linux isn't ready for the desktop.

[tolan-b]

>> Ease of use, ease of finding apps, ease of installing said apps

I really have to say, install Ubuntu, enable Universe and Multiverse and fire up Synaptic, then come back here and say that ;)

Plus the fact that 99% of drivers come pre-installed.

There are still areas that are unnecessarily difficult I'll grant you. Multimedia configuration for a start, but I've now reached the point where if someone I'm going to have to support, my parents for example, wants a new OS, I'll try to move them to Linux. Once it's set up right I think it'll work much better for them.

This of course assumes the apps are available, but tbh for most PC users I think they are. Open Office 2 is dandy, Firefox, Thunderbird or Evolution, media players, PDF viewers, instant messaging and so on and so on, it's all there.

Plus, as a Gnome user, I personally now find most of the apps I use to be far superior in terms of interface to the equivilent Windows apps.

It still has to catch up in some areas, but I think Linux has already overtaken Windows in many areas, and yes I do mean for the desktop user.

Re:Support

[singingjim]

I think this is probably one of the main reasons why a big computer company like Dell won't be more vocal about Linux. They know that the majority of folks out there, myself included, are clueless and scared when it comes to learning an entirely new OS that requires real effort to learn and master. Also, I went to Dell's website and put together an über penguin that came out over $14K (it was sweet! =] ). The base dual processor system starts at $1200 with no monitor and that's just not conducive to entry level, or highly experienced computer users for that matter, looking for a new system to upgrade from their long-obsolete 98/Millenium machines. Not that they would be looking for a dual processor machine probably, but that's where I'm headed when I'm ready for that 64 bit monster in a few years. I'll be sporting some version or another of Vista as well. =\

It's Intel AND Microsoft

[Avatar8]

I work for a company that builds Intel servers. I and my other tech-saavy cohorts have often questioned "Why don't we build AMD systems? Why not use Macs in the workplace, especially for those graphic intensive jobs?"

Why? Because Intel owns our collective asses. The only way we make a profit is from Intel paying us back (something called DPA) for every processor we sell. Without that DPA we might as well buy from retail stores and online vendors at retail price so they get the DPA's and profit. If we tried to stray from this partnership, they'd remove our DPA's and what little profit margin we have.

I'm certain Dell is under a similar partnership.

Why would Intel care then if Dell promoted Linux? That's where Microsoft comes in. For every Intel system sold with a MS OS on it, Intel gets a kickback. If the system sells without an OS or with a non-MS OS, then Intel doesn't make as much money.

All hail the freedom of choice in our capitalist Monarchic System.

Re:If it's ready, then why aren't people using it?

[October_30th]

Ah yes. It has to be a Microsoft conspiracy, because people's unwillingness to use Linux can't have anything to do with the Linux desktop itself now can it?

What happened to your faith in the markets? If Linux desktop is truly equivalent to the Windows desktop, or even better than Windows, people will want to get a machine with it. Right?

Re:Why should they have to?

[smallpaul]

This is all way too reminiscent of the whole Massachusetts-forcing-Walmart-to-carry-Plan-B, most slashdotters tend to oppose the government mindset and yet when it comes to linux they fall right into that mindset.

Where in the post or the thread did someone ask for a government bill demanding Linux marketing from Dell?

Re:fair is- fair?

[legirons]

"just for fun, show me where microsoft is mentioned on their root page?"

How about "Dell recommends Windows XP Professional" in big bold text at the top of every single page on the Dell website (other than, as you spotted, the homepage itself)