Over the past few weeks I been following the news that Dell is now offering on some new systems with Ubuntu (Linux) and OpenOffice.org instead of Windows Vista and Office 2007. Today I came across the article Microsoft you had a good run over at One Post At a Time:
It seems Microsoft & Windows had a good run for last possible 20 years but as always change happens and seems its Microsoft time to say we give up
Microsoft Windows Vista have been latest problem for Microsoft as so many people have said bad things about it – software or hardware problems.
I have to agree about Windows Vista, besides being way over-priced at ~$160* Home Basic to ~$400* Home Premium you need a DVD-ROM drive. Then there are the compatibility issues, case in point see: How to Install Windows Vista. If you have Windows Vista then you will also want to get Office 2007 which will run you anywhere from $150* Home/Student to ~$700* Ultimate.
For the basic home user Windows Vista and Office 2007 is going to set you back a little over $300*. Now, Ubuntu and OpenOffice.org will set you back $0! Even better, both Ubuntu and OpenOffice are open source meaning there are literally thousands of people are constantly working on, maintaining and improving these applications (much like Fx & TBird). Ubuntu on average is updated (new version) about every six months and they are always free!
In the next couple months I plan on adding a new hard drive to my system (amazing how 5 years ago 30 GB seemed so huge) and after some much needed housekeeping I am going to attempt to setup dual partitions. My goal is to setup a dual boot Windows XP/Ubuntu system so I can start trying out Ubuntu.
Now, I want to get back to Dell offering Ubuntu…Dell is one (if not the) largest mail-order computer suppliers. In February Dell setup IdeaStorm as a way for customers to contribute ideas for product development. The biggest request was for Dell to offer Linux instead of Windows Vista on their desktops and notebooks. This is very interesting and dramatic change in the OS market. People are finally realizing they have a choice, they don’t have (and don’t want) to settle for Microsoft applications. Even Michael Dell uses Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn on his Dell Precision M90 notebook!
* Windows Vista & Office 2007 pricing based on amazon.com base (non-sale) prices.
“My goal is to setup a dual boot Windows XP/Ubuntu system so I can start trying out Ubuntu”
i’ve been working like that since 5 years. since 2 years, 90% of the time i am on linux (let’s say ubuntu), since the last year almost all the time i am linux.
so few are the cases to work on windows, like dj software (a good one), cad software or work with specific hardware. the rest “justs works” on ubuntu.
For non-linux user, they will find it hard to install even a program in it. also there are less game to support linux too.
@vista : “For non-linux user, they will find it hard to install even a program in it”
what are you talking about? let’s c how do they work :
on ubuntu linux : menu->software->add/delete software->select the software you want->ok
by the way, when you “select the software you want” you can search over a long categorized list.
on windows : search over internet the software you want->download setup.exe (.msi) or install.exe (.msi) or what ever->doble click->”next next next”->ok (supposing that you buy the software)
here you must have some knowledge about internet and the software you are looking for.
i don’t know about you, but on ubuntu linux is SO easy install software. did you know that critical updates affect all software installed on your box and not only operating system updates?
installing/maintaing software on ubuntu linux is easier by far.