Hello, The one definate reason I can think of for Dell doing is, is simply the demand for PC's with Linux pre-installed on it / Windows not pre-installed. Why bother otherwise?
Stretching that the other reason I can think of is to put pressure on Microsoft. If Dell are successfull selling Linux PC's they might start persuading MS to sell cheaper Windows licenses to them (or it might be the other way, dell are punishing MS for raising prices, who knows). I doubt the business case for it. Companies buying X amount of machines would purchase through their own channels and probably get a big discount anyway. They will also probably have a site license for MS software and get this discounted from the cost of the machine. Also a lot of companies rent machines instead of owning them also. Add on top of that the cost of supporting linux machines / training etc. Regards, On 07/09/2007, Michael Holloway <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > [-| I just realized how long this is, sorry in advance :) |-] > > I was just on Dell's site, I thought out of interest i'll go see what > they have. While you can find Ubuntu machines by browsing, its not > exactly advertised... so you will never come accross it unless you are > looking for it, and unless you know what "Open-source PC's" means. > > So i wonder: why bother? > > Here's why i think. > > 1. Well, no need to confuse the average user with the concept of "What > do you mean it doesn't have windows?", because they wont take that > option anyway. While i haven't looked into it too much, the cost > difference will be almost negligable so no general users will buy it. > > - so far: No sales increase > > 2. How many Linux users would buy a one? I'm not sure i can answer this, > but i imagine not too many. Most linux users like to customise their > machines, and put all the latest and greatest (or cheapest and oldest) > compenents into it. So they would normally buy a machine and put bits in > it, and download whatever linux distro they want. Lets be fair, Dells > are good for the office, but they are not particularly good, hardware- > wise. > > - so far: No sales increase (maybe a small one?) > > 3. Now we look at IT department buyers. They (we?) have to buy X number > of new desktops/laptops for the HR dept or Sales dept or something. We > know they use windows, but we dont really care what make the computer > is. Therefor we buy whatever good deal comes along from whoever it is. > However, now with Dell "supporting the OSS community", how many Buyers > are going to support Dell in return. Even if it is just buying Windows > PC's for HR. I think a lot of "us" would go with Dell purely for that > reason. > > - and now: Large business sales increase!! > > In summary, i think Dell are making a lot of money, not from the Ubuntu > deal, but because of it! > > What do think, am i just talking rubbish? > (or do i have too much time on my hands today?) > > > -- > ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk > https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/ > -- Matthew G Larsen > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
